Rubber Band Cars

Ever wanted to make your own car? Want a fun toy to play with? The Rubber Band Car is a perfect activity to play with your friends. Build your own car powered by rubber bands and learn the fundamentals of motion. Race with your friends, and see how far your car goes!​

Supplies:

• Hot Glue Gun 

• Glue Sticks 

• Masking Tape 

• Craft Cubes (if needed)

• Straws 

• Wheels or Caps

• Dowells or ticks

• Rubber Bands 

• Pencils  

Directions:

Step 1: Create a sturdy base for your car out of popsicle sticks. Make a square shape.

Step 2: Build out the rest of your car structure using popsicle sticks and hot glue. Use craft cubes to help with the corner parts.

Step 3: Put the dowels or sticks through straws, attach the wheels to the dowels. 

Step 4: Connect the straw parts to the base of the car with tape or hot glue.

Step 5: Tie a rubber band to the front of the car.

Step 6: Pull the rubber band with a pencil taped to the ground or table. Release!

Learning Benefits

Makers get to discover how to make wheels turn. They will feel the tension that builds and releases when they stretch a rubber band. The Rubber Band Car allows for an exciting discovery of the fundamentals of motion.

This is a perfect activity for kids to let out their competitive sides. They can compete with friends to see whose car goes the farthest.

Maker Fun Fact!

Stretched rubber bands have something called “potential energy”. That’s energy that is stored until it is released. When we release rubber bands, the “potential energy” becomes “kinetic energy” which creates motion. Learn more!