Share

Make a robot

accreditation

Difficulty: *****
Preparation time: *****
Cleanup: ***
Activity time: weeks or even months of play

YOU WILL NEED:

  • 1 500 x 400 x 800mm box
  • knife
  • thick tape
  • glue
  • Prestik
  • tinfoil
  • heavy duty Wondercover (available at hardware stores)
  • two swimming pool pipes of about 1m each
  • one coloured light bulb
  • four empty toilet paper rolls
  • brightly coloured plastic washing line
  • one can bright silver spray paint
  • one sheet soft sponge plastic (usually used as packing material)
  • one thick black permanent marker
  • one black sponge
  • black non-slip stickers in squares and circles

DIRECTIONS

Cut a hole into the top of the box through which you will be able to see your toddler’s face while he holds the box at the bottom. Cut two round holes on the sides for the pipes to fi t through neatly, but don’t put them in yet. Close the top “fl aps” up with tape. Cover the whole box with tinfoil and stick a piece of Wondercover (it’s sticky) over the lower half of the box.

Spray paint the toilet rolls and plastic pipes with the bright silver and let it dry. Insert the pipes into the holes and stick in position with tape. Also spray the black sponge with the bright silver, just to give it a shimmer. Cut a piece of washing line so that it is just shorter than the width of the box. Use the glue or tape to stick the four toilet rolls two-two on top of each other, creating two long ones.

Make a hole on the top end of each and thread the washing line through, making a knot in the middle to keep it in position. 

Paste the fi nal product on top of the robot like little horns. Use a large piece of Prestik, and paste the light bulb in the middle of the robot’s head. Make a screen and keypad with the soft sponge plastic and the square non-slip stickers.

Draw a graph on the screen and give the robot a number. Use the sponge and the round stickers to make a switch, and stick it onto the robot’s body.

TIP

Make two robots for hours of fun when your tot has a playdate. Or put it on Dad for a game of robot-robot. 

Read more: 

What every craft box needs

Fun DIY crafts using cardboard boxes

10 toys that cost nothing 

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE