How to Make a Coffee Can Car

Making a coffee can car is a fun, easy project for older children and teenagers. If you're looking for a way to keep busy on a rainy day, you can make these cars in very little time and have your own coffee can car derby. Have a prize ready for the winner of the derby--such as candy or extra TV time--so they have an incentive to create the best coffee can car possible.

Things You'll Need

• Coffee can
• 4 wheels
• Drill
• 2 wooden dowel rods--1 inch longer than the diameter of the can
• Rubber cement
• Metal file
• Newspaper
• Rubber gloves

Instructions

1. Clean out your coffee can with soap and water. Dry the can completely.

2. On newspaper, lay the can down on its side, as if you were to roll it across a table. Put on your gloves. Drill four holes into the can, two on each side. Make sure the holes across from each other are even heights from the bottom. Insert the dowels as you go so you can make sure they fit; make the holes slightly wider than the diameter of the dowel rod.

3. File the metal shavings around the holes so the holes are smooth. Insert the dowel rods through the holes, widthwise through the can. Make sure there is enough length on each side of the can to place wheels on the dowels.

4. Cement the wheels to the dowel rods and allow them to dry. When the cement is completely dry, take your coffee can car for a spin.

Tips & Warnings

• Decorate your coffee can with art supplies you have around the home--use construction paper or cardboard to make a spoiler or even wings.

• Make sure you supervise children as they drill through the metal can.