Looking for a fun and festive Christmas STEM project? Help the Gingerbread Man escape from the fox with this hands-on Gingerbread Zip Line STEM Challenge! Kids design, build, test, and improve a simple zip line to explore gravity, friction, motion, and slope—all using everyday supplies. This is the perfect Christmas STEM activity for classroom centers, holiday STEM days, or at-home learning.

Gingerbread Man Zip Line Challenge

Young engineers will love experimenting with different angles, carrier designs, and speeds while applying the engineering design process in a playful holiday theme.

Field: Physics—Force & Motion
Grades: K–4
Concepts Explored: Gravity pulls objects downward, slope angle changes speed, friction slows motion, smoother surfaces reduce friction, and variables can be tested and measured.

This activity introduces kids to how objects move and why.

Gravity pulls the Gingerbread Man down the string.
Slope (angle) affects speed—steeper angles create faster movement.
Friction between the carrier and the string can slow the Gingerbread Man down.
Kids can test variables by changing the angle, length, or carrier design and observing how each affects speed and distance.

A simple, engaging introduction to physics perfect for holiday learning!

Supplies:

String or yarn
Tape
Straw or paper clip
Small Gingerbread Man cutout
Printable instructions in the Library Club

Optional: crayons/markers, stop-watch, ruler, data sheet

How to Make a Gingerbread Man Zip Line

💡 Use the engineering design process to turn this into a STEM lesson!

STEP 1: Prepare your zip line.

Attach a piece of string between two anchor points, making sure the starting point is higher than the end. You can thread the straw piece onto the string before tying off both ends or wait to secure the final anchor point when the gingerbread man is ready.

STEP 2: Build the carrier.

Color and cut out your gingerbread man friend. Attach a straw or tape a paper clip to the back of the Gingerbread Man cutout. For this activity, we are using the straw method.

💡 Optional: The paper clip can be attached to the hat so that the gingerbread man hangs vertically. Depending on the size of the paper clip, you may need to pull it apart a bit to make it slide more easily.

tape a straw to the back of a gingerbread man cutout to make a carrier for the zip line STEM activity

STEP 3: Place the Gingerbread Man in the carrier.

Slide or clip him onto the line. If the straw is already secured between the anchor points, tape the cutout to it!

slide the string through the straw and anchor at two points across a room for a zip line

STEP 4: Release!

Watch him zip down the line. Does he make it to safety?

watch the gingerbread man zip line in action - how can you change up the variables?

STEP 5: Improve and redesign.

Try adjusting:

The angle (steeper vs. gentler)
The carrier (straw, paper clip, what else?)
The zip line material (yarn vs. smooth string)

Zip Line Science Project

Turn this Christmas STEM activity into a whole science fair–ready investigation by testing variables such as:

Does angle affect speed?
Which carrier travels fastest?
How does the string type affect friction?

🔎 Encourage students to make predictions, test, record, and improve—just like real engineers.

Gingerbread Man Zip Line Science Information

Gravity is a force that pulls objects toward the Earth. When you place the Gingerbread Man at the top of the slope, gravity pulls him downward along the zip line. A steeper slope increases the downward pull, which makes him move faster. A gentler slope slows him down because gravity’s pull is weaker in that direction.

Learn more about Force and Motion.
Explore more about Gravity.
Play around with Potential and Kinetic Energy.
See how friction works.

Friction acts as a resisting force between the carrier (straw or clip) and the string.

Smooth surfaces create less friction → faster movement
Rough surfaces create more friction → slower movement

Kids can clearly see how changing one variable at a time affects speed and motion—perfect for early physics learning.

Zip Line Facts for Kids

Zip lines work the same way as chair lifts, cable cars, and even some rescue systems.
Engineers often test many designs before choosing the best one.
Gravity works everywhere on Earth—including during Christmas cookie baking!
Friction is why sleds slide fast on snow but not on carpet.

Extension Activities

Try one or more of these STEM add-ons:

Measure travel time using a stopwatch
Create a landing target for accuracy
Race multiple carriers to compare speed
Add weights (buttons, paper clips) to test mass
Build a two-story zip line across the classroom
Try a Gingerbread STEM theme day with gingerbread man traps, building bridges, and more.