Activities

Great activities for kids are ones that get them learning while also having fun. This will get kids excited about education and show them how things like science can have practical, enjoyable results. It is also a great way for you and your child to bond by doing and learning something together. One of the best science activities for kids is to build a rubber band car, and this post will show you how to do it in 8 simple steps.

 

First, start off by gathering your materials.

 

What you’ll need

For the car body: A piece of sturdy cardboard or foam board, or a piece of pliable, sanded wood.

Wheels: Find something round, a plastic bottle cap, toy wheel, wood wheels from a craft store.

Axles: 2 7-inch wooden dowels and a straw.

Large rubber band

2 small cup hooks

 

Next, sit down with your child and explain the science behind what you’re doing. A stretched rubber band (i.e. tightened around an axle) is a source of potential energy. When you release the rubber band, it will snap back to its original shape. This will cause the axles to spin, creating motion, or kinetic energy. Your car will move forward.

 

Now for the hard work. Let’s make this car go!

 

Step 1: Cut your wood or cardboard into a six-inch piece and carve a 1X1 inch hole in one end.

Step 2: Cut your straw into 2 six-inch pieces and glue them to the two ends of the car body.

Step 3: Thread your dowels into the straws. These are your axles.

Step 4: Slide one cup hook onto the rear axle so it fits in the middle of the notch.

Step 5: Attach wheels to axles tightly.

Step 6: Screw the other cup hook onto the car body just behind the front axle.

Step 7: Attach the rubber band to the car by looping it around the two hooks.

Step 8: Wind the rubber band by turning the rear axle (building up the potential energy). Place the car on a smooth surface and let go.

 

Simple, fun, and educational. Building a rubber band car is a great activity to do with your child.

Image by Penn State on Flickr Creative Commons.