Bead Run Roller Coaster

Step 1 To make the tracks for the bead run roller coaster cut out the middle, flat, white circle of the paper plate. Make sure you don’t cut them too thin as it will be much harder to keep the bead on the track!
Step 2 The cardboard rolls will be used as the pillars that support the track. Use the masking tape to join rolls together and make them taller or the box cutter to cut rolls down and make them shorter.
Step 3 Get a large piece of thick cardboard to use as your base such as an old box. Start assembling your roller coaster by experimenting with different heights and distances between your pillar and attaching the track to the rolls then the rolls to the cardboard base using masking tape.
Remember to test your roller coaster as you go to make sure the bead stays on the track – you may need to make adjustments.
Step 4 Create tunnels along your roller coaster using the cardboard tubes.
Step 5 Problem solve a steep, bendy track by cutting extra pieces of paper plate and attaching them as ‘bumpers’ to help keep the bead on the track.
Step 6 You can build as many different interweaving tracks as you like! Once you are happy, use paint to colour code the end points of your tracks as well as the beads, then challenge your friends to send the correct coloured bead down the correct coloured path!