How to Use a Ramp to Increase the Forward Motion of a Matchbox Car

Place the ramp on a flat, smooth surface like a hard floor or tabletop. If you set the ramp on a carpeted or other rough surface, your Matchbox car may topple over when it reaches the bottom of the ramp.

Leave enough room at the bottom of the ramp to allow your Matchbox car to roll well beyond it. The higher your ramp and the smoother your surface, the farther your Matchbox car will roll.

Make sure the ramp is stable so that it won't tip over when you place your Matchbox car at the top.

Roll the wheels of your Matchbox car over the palm of your hand to make sure they are spinning freely. If one of the wheels is jammed, free it by removing whatever is in the way (most likely a piece of dirt, sand or dried mud, especially if you've been playing with your Matchbox outdoors).

Place your Matchbox car at the top of the ramp, ensuring all of the wheels are touching the ramp's surface.

Let go of your car and watch it roll down the slope and off the end of the ramp. To make your Matchbox car roll even faster down the ramp, either give it a little push (instead of merely letting go of it) or make your ramp steeper so that the car falls from a greater height.