Activity: Toilet paper tube slide

In our bedroom, I have a stack of empty toilet paper tubes that previous had no purpose. Well now they have a purpose! I'm going to have my husband Jacob design and build a toilet paper tube slide that the kids can drop ping pong balls (or anything smaller than that) into it, and watch them come down at the bottom. It's kind of like a  water slide, but with toilet paper tubes, indoor, and no water.
And if you have a child that really loves to build things (future engineer?), then they can help too!

Here's how it works:

Items needed:
Toilet paper tubes (or paper towel/wrapping paper tubes)
Scissors
Tape (something sturdy like duct tape)
Markers/crayons/etc.
Any other decorating materials (colored paper, stickers, etc.)
Ping Pong Balls

 

Figure out if you want an "open" tube where the kids can watch the ball the whole time, or a closed tube, where they will hear it rattling around. You will also need to figure out if you want it to have any twists or turns. Then begin taping it together, remembering that it will need to be taped to the fridge or something where the "top" of the tube slide starts. After it is decorated and assembled, you can then begin the fun by putting things down it. Be aware that if it is an open tube, it will be MUCH easier to keep things from getting stuck inside, whereas a closed tube you might have to take apart or put a stick or cooking utensil down it to dislodge objects.


Here is another idea for a "style"

 

Have you done anything like this with your kids? How did it go? Do you have any pictures?