Rube Goldberg® & Miracle Recreation®
Bringing STEM & STEAM to the Playground
We’re proud to partner with The Rube Goldberg® Institute for Innovation & Creativity to create outdoor opportunities for classroom learning. By designing play equipment with STEAM and STEM activities, we’re able to provide fun, hands-on learning experiences that connect and inspire tomorrow’s innovators.
Our products incorporate education and whimsy into recreational play. Miracle Machines™ offer everyone the chance to think like Rube as they complete simple tasks in silly ways. Similarly, our Rube-inspired playful furnishings engage visitors by providing the opportunity to rest and enjoy mindful play activities.
About The Rube Goldberg® Institute For Innovation & Creativity
The Rube Goldberg Institute stands as a “museum without walls,” offering experiences designed for the 21st century that span the virtual and physical and introduce people to the rewards of engaging in the arts and sciences. Rube Goldberg’s legacy reminds us of the crucial importance of informed observation, creative thinking, artistic response, problem-solving, curiosity, and inventiveness. The Institute was founded by Rube’s son, George W. George, in 1988, and today is run by Rube’s granddaughter, Jennifer George. The Institute proudly works with educators, organizations, and commercial brands to present the world and work of Rube Goldberg around the world. For more information, go to RubeGoldberg.org.
About Rube Goldberg®
As a cultural icon of the 20th century, Rube Goldberg (1883–1970), Pulitzer Prize-winning American cartoonist and innovator, continues to inspire audiences with his inventive genius. Of the estimated 50,000 cartoons he drew in his lifetime, Goldberg is best known for those that depict “Rube Goldberg Machines” — the chain-reaction contraptions, typically made from everyday objects, that solve a simple task in the most overly complicated, humorous, and inefficient way possible. In their funny functionality, Goldberg’s inventions invite all of us to think more deeply about machines and mechanized processes, gadgets and technologies, and the very human ways in which we use them.
Shaping the Next Generation
Our partnership has also created the Miracle Playground Challenge—an annual contest that invites current and future innovators to flex their creativity and imagine new structures for outdoor play based on Rube Goldberg’s iconic invention cartoons. The winning submissions then get the chance to make their ideas a reality for a worthy community.
Bring STEM and STEAM learning to your entire community–explore our Rube Goldberg® products!
Playful Furnishings
Hideaway Hammock
From a cozy hangout spot to a hub of activity, Hideaway Hammock excites kids of all ages! Kids can climb up either side to reach the top, or sit and socialize on the flextread belt below. Any of our activity inserts may be selected for use at the top—from a thoughtful sliding puzzle to a challenging maze.
Playful Furnishings
FlexConnect Seat
Activity and rest combine at FlexConnect Seat! The back features a sewing panel and a pin impression panel—both of which help to develop fine motor skills—along with a window for social play opportunities. Kids can engage with these activities whether they’re behind the seat, or in the center. The seat side features a simple flextread belt, allowing kids to either rest comfortably or turn and engage with those surrounding them.
Playful Furnishings
Exploration Bench – Marble Run
Exploration Bench – Marble Run features a side with a marble track, and a side with a window. The marble track features a series of angled platforms that visitors can enjoy together whether they’re sitting or standing. Kids can roll toys or found objects down the track, and pass them to each other through the openings located at the top and bottom. The window side features a shelf, which kids can use to engage in all kinds of social play scenarios. Whether they’re sitting on the bench or standing behind it, kids can work together to set up shop, create an information booth, and more.
Playful Furnishings
Exploration Bench – Clock
Exploration Bench – Clock features a side with a mirror merge activity, and a side with a clock. Kids can spin the mirror merge activity to experiment with their reflection, and marble rollers, which kids can feel in an engaging tactile experience. The clock activity provides another avenue of exploration for kids, as they move the arms to create a variety of social—and educational!—play scenarios.
Miracle Machines™
Curiosity Thrilled the Cat
…and the kids! Feed Cat her favorite treat by guiding the ball through dominoes, across a banana, and more! Decide whether to give it an extra fishy flavor, or take a shortcut and feed it to Cat as-is. With a myriad of amusing paths to choose from, kids can discuss their next course of action, take turns making decisions, or tackle it in a free-for-all style.
Miracle Machines™
My Cup of Tea
Who knew making tea could get so complicated?! To get started, turn one of the two wheels (high and low options for better accessibility). Then use the pencil to guide it either through the plinking obstacles, or flick it down a series of ramps using a boot, fish, and more. Didn’t get your favorite flavor? Spin the teacup to release the ball and make another!
Miracle Machines™
Goooaaalll
It’s the match-making point! Turn the wheel to get the ball rolling, then guide it to the net using a variety of gears, loops—even a bucket! Joyful sounds cheer on users as they make fast-paced decisions to help their team to victory. With a slanted design, kids of varying heights and ability can collaborate on this high-stakes play panel.
Explore innovative play inspired by Rube Goldberg Machines®
Contact your Miracle representative today to learn more.
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