How to Make a Robot Out of Tin Cans

If you have a lot of empty tin cans, don't throw them away. Instead, reuse them by making them into colorful, fancy robots. Creating a robot out of cans is a good craft to do with your children. They can change the features of their robots as often as they like without making a mess, thanks to the magic of magnets. Be careful not to cut yourself on the jagged edges of the cans.

Things You'll Need

• Two tin cans of different sizes
• Electrical tape
• Hot glue gun with glue
• Roll of curling ribbon
• Scissors
• Two googly eyes or large buttons
• Two metal soda bottle caps
• 6-inch square of felt
• Disk magnets

Instructions

1. Open both of the tin cans. Remove the lid and empty each can's contents. Remove the labels. Wash and thoroughly dry the cans. Check for sharp edges and cover them with electrical tape. Turn the larger can upside down and set it in front of you.

2. 

   Make eyes for your robot. Use the hot glue gun to attach a disk magnet to the back of each googly eye or large button. Stick the eyes on the can wherever you see fit.

3. 

   Cut your curling ribbon into six 6-inch strips. Turn your smaller can upside down and glue the end of each ribbon to the inside of the can 1/4 inch above the lip. Curl each piece of ribbon after the glue dries. Now you have a hat with hair. Place it on top of the larger can and glue it in place.

4. 

   Make feet for your robot by gluing one magnet to the underside of each bottle cap. Stick them to your can near the bottom, as in the image. Use a third bottle cap of a different color to make a nose. Add this to the can.

5. 

   Cut a mouth out of your felt and glue a magnet to it. Stick it to the can directly under the nose.

6. Add any accessories you like. Consider adding more metal objects like springs, keys, pipe cleaners and pieces of aluminum foil for a more authentic robotic look.

Tips & Warnings

• When your child gets bored of his or her robot, remove the features and start again. You can even cut off the ribbon "hair" and replace it with something else, like yarn or rubber bands. Use the hot glue sparingly. You don't want it to leak through the felt or drip onto the can. Not all "tin cans" are made of the same materials. Make sure your magnets will stick to the cans before you start your project.

• Don't let children open or clean cans, and never let them use the hot glue gun.

References

• Family Fun