This document provides a step-by-step guide for making a race car with children using recycled materials. The activity involves crafting techniques such as gluing, threading, and decorating, taking more than 20 minutes to complete. It encourages creativity and hands-on play while allowing children to take pride in their DIY accomplishment.

1. FUN ACTIVITIES TO DO
WITH CHILDREN

2. Make a
race car
How do I make a race car? I’m not a mechanic!
You don’t have to be! We’re not talking about a conventional
race car but about one you can make with recyled
material. Besides it’s really easy!
How can it keep children busy?
Building “race cars” will be a challenge for the kids and this
activity also involves glue, something children love to work
with. Once they’re done with the final touches your kids will
be able to play with their cars as long as they want.

3. What do i need?
You will need:
• 1 cardboard tube
• 2 lids of ice-cream
• 1 toothpick
• 1 bamboo skewer
• 1 rubber band
• 1 wood bead
• Craft wire
• Cardboard
• Sandpaper
• Tube of glue
Duration of the activity:
Making the race car will take longer than 20 minutes.

4. pREPARATION
Step 1
Cut two strips of cardboard, not too big or too small, as shown by
the image.
Glue the strips around each end of the cardboard tube, with the
stripes flush against the tube’s end.
Let it dry and apply some strength so it will stay glued.
Clothespins and great options.

5. pREPARATION
Step 2
One you eat the ice cream and you’re sure that you won’t need
them again, apply sandpaper to the top of the lids, so the glue
will adhere better.
Poke a hole in the center of each lid with the bamboo skewer.
Apply glue along one end of the tube and press onto the
center of the top of one lid.

6. pREPARATION
Step 3
With one of the two lids glued, fold the craft wire in half
around the rubber band to create a long needle.
Thread the wire through the hole in the lid, slipping the
toothpick into the rubber band.
As you can see in the image, the toothpick will stop the
rubber band from going into the center of the tube.

7. pREPARATION
STEP 4
Now you can glue the second lid to the other end of the
tube. Do not forget to apply the sandpaper to the top of
the lid as you did with the first one.
Thread the second lid onto the wire and, without letting go of
the wire, center the lid on the tube.

8. pREPARATION
Step 5
Now pull the wire through the wooden bead until the rubber band
appears.
With care, slip the bamboo skewer through the middle of the rubber
band so you can remove the wire.
Unlike the first lid with the toothpick, this lid needs the wooden bead so the
bamboo skewer can be rotated, making the car work in the process.

9. It’s ready!
Start the race!
Now rotate the bamboo skewer to activate your engine (the rubber
band) and watch your race car starts to speed!
Organize races with your children and watch who wins. Your kids also can
decorate and paint the race cars as they see fit. Let them play and enjoy
themselves.
More than new toys, remind your kids that it was them who made the cars,
an important achievement that will add value to the cars.

10. See you in next games!