How to Make a Robot From Drink Cans

Cans can lend themselves to robotic creations.

Fashioning drinks cans into a robot is a useful way to teach children about the importance of recycling while explaining robotic technology. The Green Diary points out that re-using drinks cans saves them from being put into landfill. Keep your first robotic design simple by stringing together drinks cans. Then, you can personalize the robot using craft accessories such as ribbon or glitter.

Things You'll Need

• 22 Drinks Cans
• Tape
• Googly eyes
• Can ring-pulls
• Hot glue gun
• String
• Beads
• Scissors
• Rolling Pin

Instructions

1. Wash out all the drinks cans thoroughly using hot, soapy water, then place tape over any protuding sharp points.

2. Glue two cans together, side-by-side, then stack another two cans on top. Attach them using the hot glue gen. This will give you a formation of four cans that makes the head of the robot.

3. Stack and glue together six cans to form the robot's body.

4. Stack the head on top of the body, then twist it 45 degrees. Glue them together in this position.

5. Put a hole in the base of each can using a pair of scissors. Feed a strong piece of string through the cans and tie them off at each end. These cans will serve as the robot's arm and legs. Flatten two cans with a rolling pin. Glue one horizontally to the end of each leg using the hot glue gun to serve as the feet.

6. Pierce the armpit of the robot's torso with a pair of scissors. Put a bead on the end of a 3-inch length of string and feed it into the hole. Secure it in place with glue.

7. Put a hole in the top of the arm with the scissors, then put another bead on the end of the string that is coming out of the torso. Glue it into place to keep the arms on the body.

References

• Green Diary: Recycled Art- Robots Made From Trash
• Family Fun: Can Do Robots