Junk Model Robot
Everything in the recycling, plus tape, becomes a creature.
- Ages
- 3–11 yrs
- Play
- 30–75 min
- Prep
- 8 min
- Mess
- some
- Energy
- calm
- Where
- at the table
You’ll need
Things you probably have at home.
- clean recycling
- tape or glueDon’t have it? Amazon
Optional
- googly eyesGet it on Amazon
- foilDon’t have it? Amazon
- paint or pensDon’t have it? Amazon
- pipe cleaners for armsDon’t have it? Amazon
- scissorsDon’t have it? Amazon
- bells or bands for moving partsDon’t have it? Amazon
How to play
Before you start: Empty the clean recycling onto the table and add tape, glue and a pot of odds and ends.
Let them choose the body first — usually the biggest box.
Work out how to attach the head. Tape beats glue for anything heavy, and it is worth saying so.
Add arms, legs, eyes and anything else they insist on.
Wrap parts in foil or paint the whole thing once the structure holds.
Give it a name and write it on the front.
What it helps with
Keep it safe
- Check every container is clean and no tin lids or sharp edges are in the pile.
- Adults do the cutting on anything rigid.
Make it different next time
- Make a family of them over a week.
- Build it with a moving part: an arm on a split pin, a head that lifts off.
Cleanup: The bits that did not make it go back in the recycling.
Three more like this
- Good for siblings
Learn something
Frozen Excavation
20–60 min 2–10 yrs Messy- small figures or carsto buy
- water
- a container to freeze in
Learn something
Rain In A Jar
10–20 min 3–10 yrs Some mess- shaving cream
- a clear jar or glass
- food coloring
- water