'Survivor' Inspired DIY Ball Pulley Game

This game is a great time! As a huge Survivor fan, it is one of my favourite games to see in challenges. Of course their versions are quite large and involve completing this game while on a balance beam or something crazy, but I decided to make this with everyday/very inexpensive materials that most people have lying around to just fill the gaping hole in life without Survivor!

So, follow along to see just how simple it is. Most importantly, have fun, include your family in the build and playing, and try to make your own version to just be different. Make sure to SHOW me your version by clicking "I Made It" at the bottom.

If you are my student and here because I told you to. then your "math" assignment once you have this built is to answer the following question:

"How much total AREA can the ball travel on without falling into a hole?"

Be sure to show all your work!

1. A corrugated cardboard box
2. Hot glue gun and glue sticks
3. String
4. Ball (no larger than golf ball)
5. Knife or Scissors
6. Circle making tool
7. 6 small circle screws ("screw eye" on google) **can be found in hardware kits at Dollar Stores**
8. Measuring and marking tools
9. Drill if handy

Pretty straightforward here, but a walkthrough nonetheless.

Start by finding the attachment point of your box. Separate the box at that point and lay it out flat. You should have four distinct sections.

Next, cut the box into four separate sections. You should have two congruent smaller sections and two congruent larger sections.

Grab one of the large sections and cut it into two congruent triangles with a flap on each.

Once you have the two triangles, grab the other large section and attach the three pieces together.

With the two congruent triangles attached to the front rectangle, you are now almost finished your main structure. Using one of the small sections cut in the first step, attach it to the back to hold the flaps together and provide the strength to your main structure. It should fit perfectly between the side flaps. Once it is on, cut off the extra pieces.

The most important part now that you have the main structure built is to attach the eye screws. Each side should get 3 screws. Be sure to take your time to measure and make sure that each side matches.

One screw needs to be on the front rectangle in the top corner. Another about halfway down attached on the SIDE of the structure (the triangle). Another attached on the SIDE at the bottom where the front rectangle ends.

The eye hooks (if threaded) can be screwed in, then a bit of hot glue applied where the screw meets the cardboard. Don't go overboard and be sure to not cover the hole (where the string will go through) with the glue. You do not want to impede the string at all.

Now this is where things start to get "custom".

You are going to make a simple ball holder structure that is a rectangle with a semi-circle cut out. You will make about 4 congruent shapes and just glue them together. Then, drill some holes through each side and attach your string.

The reason there isn't a standard size to follow is because it depends on a couple variables. One, your ball; and two, the size of your board.

You want the rectangle to be about three of your ball's diameter wide and about two of all your ball's diameter tall. The semi circle should be a little larger than half of the ball.

You will use the last small section from step 1 as the cardboard for this part.

Quite simple for this.

1. Feed the string through the hole of the Ball Holder
2. Tie it in a knot
3. Feed the string through the top hole on the front of the board
4. Feed the string through the middle hole
5. Feed the string through the bottom hole
6. Extend the string a couple feet
7. Tie a handhold
8. Repeat for other side

Feel free to extend the string as short or as long as you wish...the longer the harder.

Using your Circle Making Tool (my students had to make their own circle making tool for their last assignment) cut one hole at the top centre of the front a little bit bigger than the ball you are using. At various other places, place circles (or other shapes) as obstacles. Have fun and be creative here!!

NOTE - the top circle needs to be far enough down from the top of the main structure so that the ball can fit through and fall to the bottom.