How to Make a Paper Box Robot

Robots are amazing inventions that can do just about anything as long as they are programmed correctly. When made from re-purposed cardboard boxes, they make good collaborative classroom writing or art projects. Depending on the size of the boxes you use to make your robot, it can be taller than a man or small enough to sit on a table.

Things You'll Need

• Large cardboard appliance box
• Square cardboard box (its length should be 1/3 the length of the larger box)
• 2 matching rectangular boxes
• 2 round cardboard tubes
• Duct tape
• 8 chenille-covered craft wires
• Construction paper
• Glue
• Paint
• Markers
• Newspaper
• Paint brushes
• Aluminum foil (optional)

Instructions

1. Decide on a place where you can build the paper box robot. Cover the floor and other work areas with newspaper. Collect all of the boxes and other materials so that they are within reach when you need them.

2. Make the robot's face and head first. Place the box so that its bottom is on top and the flaps that open are on the bottom. Push the two chenille-covered craft wires through the box so that the robot's antennae will stick out from the top of its head. Curl the ends of the wire into a spiral for decoration. Secure the wires inside the box with small pieces of duct tape. Push two more wires through the other side of the box for when you assemble the robot. Space them evenly so that one is near the left side of the head and the other is near the right side. Paint the box that you are using for the robot's head unless you plan to cover the entire robot with aluminum foil to make it seem made of metal. If you are going to do that, cover this box with foil. Tape the ends to make them stay flat. Then cut out construction paper eyes and a mouth. Glue or tape them on to make the robot's face.

3. Paint or cover the large cardboard appliance box with aluminum foil. This box will be the robot's body. Use a scrap piece of cardboard to make a control panel with an on/off button to glue to the middle of the front of the robot. Pierce the top of the box with a knitting needle or pencil to make two holes for the wires that are dangling down from the box for the robot's head. Pierce another hole where the body will attach to each arm and each leg. Do not fasten the bottom of the robot's body shut until after you attach the head, arms, and legs.

4. Cover both of the round cardboard tubes and both of the smaller matching rectangular boxes with paint or aluminum foil. The round tubes will become the robot's arms while the rectangular boxes will become the robot's legs. Pierce one wire through the top of each box and tube to attach them to the robot's body. Of course, you can add your own decorative stripes or textures using paint, pasted on construction paper, or fabric.

5. Assemble the paper box robot using duct tape. First attach the head to the body. Position it so that it is right in the center of the top of the large appliance box. Guide the wires into the holes on top of the robot's body. Reach inside the body to pull and twist these wires tightly against the inside of the box. Secure it even better with a piece of duct tape. Do the same thing to connect the legs and arms to the robot. Then, use more duct tape on the outside of the robot's body for added strength.

Tips & Warnings

• Add a science connection to your robot making project by wiring some Christmas lights inside the robot so that it will seem to "work." Assign the children to write a story about how the robot operates or what would happen if it came to life.

References

• Buyers Guide to Childrens Robot Toys
• Crayola's Paper Box Robot Directions

Resources

• Recycled Robots Kindergarten Lesson Plan