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Infinite Loop Toy

Stem Activities

Ages: 9-12

Greater than 30 minutes

Grownup needed

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Give children a simple yet challenging game to immerse themselves in! This infinite loop creative toy tests children's hand-eye coordination and reaction skills while introducing basic concepts of physical motion through play.

Materials Needed

Printable template
Card paper
35cm x 25cm cardboard
Hot glue
Small ball
Split pins
Double-sided tape
Pencil
Ruler
Scissors
Craft knife

A flat lay arrangement of various craft supplies is displayed on a light wood-grained table. The supplies include: a sheet of white paper featuring concentric circles, a piece of cardboard, a roll of transparent tape, a pencil, a ruler, a sheet of teal paper or cardstock, a yellow hot glue gun, a red bead or pom-pom, several small metal brads, scissors, and a utility knife. These items appear to be assembled for a crafting project.

Step-by-step tutorial

Step 1

Apply double-sided tape to the back of the printed template.

Two sheets of white paper rest on a light wood-grained surface. Several small pieces of 3M double-sided adhesive tape are scattered across both sheets. Some of the tape pieces appear to have been partially used or torn.

Step 2

Stick the template with double-sided tape onto the cardboard.

Two pieces of white paper, each with a circular design drawn on them, are placed side-by-side on a light wood-grained surface. The circles are comprised of concentric lines, creating a ring-like shape. The left-hand paper has small rectangular tabs extending from the top and bottom of the circle. The right-hand paper has only the circular design. Both papers appear to be affixed to slightly larger pieces of cardboard.

Step 3

Using the craft knife, carefully cut along the black edge lines through both template and cardboard.

Two hands are shown working on a craft project. One hand holds down a piece of white paper with concentric circles drawn on it, which is placed on top of a piece of cardboard. The other hand holds a red and black utility knife and is beginning to cut along the lines of the innermost circle. The project appears to be taking place on a light wood-grained work surface.

Step 4

After cutting, peel the template off the cardboard.

Two cardboard rings rest on a light wood-grained surface. The ring on the left has small rectangular tabs extending from its top and bottom edges. Both rings have a small slit cut into their sides, indicating they were likely cut from a larger piece of cardboard.

Step 5

On the wide edge of the card paper, mark points at 3cm, 6cm, 9cm, and 12cm, then draw vertical guide lines as shown.

A rectangular piece of teal paper or cardstock lies on a light wood-grained surface. Four vertical lines are drawn on the paper, dividing it into five equal sections. The width of each section is marked as 3cm.

Step 6

Cut the card paper along the guide lines using scissors. Then cut two pairs of strips to 30cm and 19.5cm lengths respectively.

Four teal-colored paper strips are arranged horizontally on a light wood-grained surface. The strips are evenly spaced. A line indicating their length (30cm) is drawn above the top strip, and another line indicating their width (19.5cm) is drawn below the bottom strip.

Step 7

Take the circular cardboard piece without handles and use hot glue to secure the card strips along its edges. Ensure the 30cm strips are attached to the outer circle and the 19.5cm strips to the inner circle.

Two hands hold a partially formed teal-colored paper or cardstock ring against a light wood-grained background. The ring is being constructed with a strip of cardboard sandwiched between the teal material. A second, shorter piece of the teal-covered cardboard is visible to the left, suggesting the process of creating the ring. The hands appear to be gently curving the materials.

Step 8

Position the assembled cardboard piece as shown.

A C-shaped piece of cardboard sits on a light, wood-grained surface. The cardboard piece has a small rectangular tab extending from one end. The majority of the image is the textured background.

Step 9

Using the pencil, make eight small holes along the edge of the semicircular cardboard as shown.

On a light wood-grained surface, two teal-colored paper strips are being attached to two cardboard rings to create a figure-eight shape. One hand holds a pencil and is marking the point where the teal strip meets the cardboard ring on the lower loop of the eight. Red arrows indicate three points of connection between the teal strips and the cardboard rings.

Step 10

Insert split pins through the corresponding top and bottom holes and secure them.

Two hands are assembling a figure-eight shape made of cardboard rings and teal paper strips on a light wood-grained background. Metal brads or fasteners are visible at the points where the teal strips overlap the cardboard, securing them together. The hands are joining the two loops of the eight at the central intersection.

Step 11

Now, place the small ball into the card strip track and pull the handle up and down as shown. See how many loops you can get the ball to complete!

Hands manipulate a figure-eight shaped marble run made from cardboard and teal-colored paper strips. A small red ball is visible within the track of the lower loop. In the background, portions of two boxes labeled PLANE LAUNCHER and FLYING SAUCER are visible, suggesting a crafting or science kit context. The background is a marbled white surface.

The Science Behind It:

When the ball moves along the track, gravity becomes the main force driving its motion. As the ball rolls down from a height, gravitational potential energy converts to kinetic energy, allowing the ball to maintain its movement.

Who Are We?

We’re a passionate team of scientists, engineers, and educators dedicated to delivering hands-on fun. Our mission is to inspire creativity and confidence in the next generation of young innovators.