How to Make a Prop Robot
Prop robots are robots that do not actually function. They are useful for theatrical productions, parade floats, classroom activities and parties. Many prop robots are easy to create and can be made by children with minimal adult supervision.
Things You'll Need
- 5-gallon plastic trash cans, 2
- Silver metallic paint
- Paint brush
- Hot glue and gun
- Silver duct tape
- Craft scalpel
- Four large 6-inch Styrofoam balls
- Two sheets of poster board
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Red metallic paint
- Green metallic paint
- Black paint
- Ruler
- Large clear plastic bowl
- Painter's tape
- 4 battery-operated tea light candles
Instructions
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Trash Can Robot
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1
Paint the trash cans with silver metallic paint and set them aside to dry. Make sure to cover the entire outer surface area excluding the bottom of the trash cans.
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2
Flip one trash can upside down and place hot glue across the bottom surface area. Set the bottom of the other trash can onto the bottom of the upside down trash can. Place silver metallic duct tape around the center section where the two trash cans meet. Duct tape provides more stability. Make sure that the tape adheres securely to both trash cans and appears even. Use a craft scalpel to ensure clean cuts.
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3
Paint four 6-inch Styrofoam balls with the metallic silver paint. Hot-glue the balls evenly around the bottom rim of the upside down trash can.
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4
Draw 11 3-inch circles onto the white poster board. Cut the circles away from the poster board and paint them. Paint five circles metallic red with silver centers, four circles metallic green with black centers and two black circles with red centers.
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5
Hot-glue two red circles and one green circle to the top left side of the trash can. Alternate the color pattern. Place one more red circle and one more green circle onto the top of the can. Attach these circles to the center area of the trash can. It should look similar to a belt. Remember to space the circles evenly.
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6
Place two red and two green circles along the left side of the bottom trash can. On the right hand side, use duct tape to create a silver box that measures 5 inches square. Inside the square, paint six buttons. Alternate the colors between red and green.
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7
Paint the top rim of the large bowl silver. Make sure that the top paint line is clean and is at least 3 inches wide. Use painter's tape to ensure a smooth edge. Hot-glue the two black circles with red centers to one side of the bowl. These circles are the robot's eyes.
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8
Tape four battery-operated tea light candles onto the inside of the top trash can. Place the candles close to the top, and be careful to not cover the lighted section.
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9
Set the bowl upside down onto the top trash can. Tape the back section of the bowl to the trashcan. This will allow for easy access to change the batteries as needed.
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10
On the second sheet of poster board draw two arms. Paint the arms silver and add any mechanical-like decorations desired. Attach the poster board arms to the top sides of the robot with the duct tape.
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1
References
- Photo Credit androïde image by indochine from Fotolia.com
