Rube Goldberg Machine

Building Rube Goldberg machines involves designing overly complex, multi-step contraptions that complete a very simple task—such as turning off a light, popping a balloon, or ringing a bell. These machines use chains of actions that rely on basic physics and engineering principles like gravity, momentum, cause and effect, levers, pulleys, ramps, and simple machines. The focus isn’t efficiency, but creativity, sequencing, and understanding how small actions trigger larger reactions. Rube Goldberg machines encourage experimentation, planning, and problem-solving while making learning playful and imaginative.

Friends and families can learn together by designing and building Rube Goldberg machines using everyday household items like dominoes, cardboard, marbles, string, cups, and toys. Working as a group, participants can brainstorm steps, assign sections of the machine, test connections, and troubleshoot when things don’t work as expected. Challenges such as limiting materials, requiring a minimum number of steps, or setting a theme add excitement and collaboration. These shared projects build teamwork, patience, and critical thinking while turning engineering concepts into a fun, memorable hands-on experience.