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    Home » Science Experiments for Kids » How to make a Robo Arm #TheHolidayMakers

    How to make a Robo Arm #TheHolidayMakers

    August 24, 2018 By Emma Vanstone 12 Comments

    At the beginning of the summer holidays we partnered up with the Year of Engineering to share the new Holiday Makers Challenges. There’s been a new challenge for each week of the holidays and we’ve loved seeing lots of parents and kids joining in. My children enjoyed our chain reaction challenge so much they’ve been making them all summer!

    The Year of Engineering is a government initiative aiming to shake-up people’s ideas about engineering, inspiring the next generation of innovators, inventors and problem solvers by showing them what engineers actually do. We can’t think of a better way to inspire the next generation than with these fun mini engineering projects.

    This week the challenge is to make a Robot Arm! You can download the Robo Arm instruction sheet on The Holiday Makers website or follow our photos below.

    How to make a Robot Arm

    We’ve really enjoyed making Robo Arms over the last few days, we have a spiderman arm a princess arm and a robot themed arm. I love that as well as being a great engineering challenge you can also be a creative as you want! They are a little bit fiddly, but the end result is worth persevering for.

    You’ll need:

    Thick cardboard – card from a cardboard box is perfect

    Thin cardboard

    2 paper straws cut into pieces about 1.5 cm long ( this depends on the size of your fingers )

    String

    Tape or glue – we used a hot glue gun – ask an adult to help if you use this method

    Pencil

    Scissors

    Ruler

    Instructions

    Place your hand flat on the cardboard and draw around it.

    How to make a Robo Arm

    Carefully cut out the hand shape.

    Make 3 bends in each finger and stick a piece of straw in each. We used the top segment of each finger to attach the string, but you could have a segment of straw in the top segment if you’d rather. Maybe try both methods and see which works the best?

    Make cardboard rings for each finger using the thin cardboard. You’ll also need a cardboard band which fits around the palm of your hand.

    Glue or tie one end of the string to each cardboard ring and the other end to the top of the same finger on your cardboard hand.

     

    Place the band around your wrist and slot the cardboard hand behind. Attach a cardboard ring to each finger and test your Robo Arm.

    How to make a robot arm

    Robot Arm Challenge

    Can you decorate your arm?

    We made a princess/fairy arm and a spiderman arm!

    princess robot arm

    Spiderman arm

    How to make a robot arm

    Win a Family Ticket to see Cirque Du Soleil

    Create your own Robo Arm and you could win a family ticket to see Cirque Du Soleil with the Year of Engineering.

    Find out more about The Year of Engineering and The Holiday Makers

    • Twitter – Follow #TheHolidayMakers, @YoEgovuk

    • Instagram – Follow @yearofengineering

    • Facebook – Follow @yearofengineering

    Check out The Holiday Makers Hub for even more fun challenges and activities.

    How to make a robot hand

    Post in collaboration with the Year of Engineering

    Last Updated on April 8, 2019 by Emma Vanstone

    « Great Science Experiments for Kids
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    Safety Notice

    Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

    These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. michelle twin mum

      August 26, 2018 at 3:55 pm

      What a great challenge, this is right up your street. I love the spidey version. Mich x

      Reply
      • Emma Vanstone

        August 29, 2018 at 10:46 am

        We love that one too!

        Reply
    2. Sarah Bailey

      August 28, 2018 at 12:19 pm

      What an awesome idea for kids to be able to make – I love that you can paint it how you want as well and really make it your own robo arm! Awesome idea.

      Reply
      • Emma Vanstone

        August 29, 2018 at 10:46 am

        It’s fab isn’t it?

        Reply
    3. Louise

      August 28, 2018 at 12:30 pm

      This looks great and like it’s a lot of fun to make. I love crafts and can’t wait till my niece is old enough to start making crafts together! x

      Reply
    4. lauren porter

      August 28, 2018 at 1:59 pm

      Ah my daughter would love this! What a fabulous idea, we will have a go at one of these 🙂

      Reply
      • Emma Vanstone

        August 29, 2018 at 10:46 am

        Let us know if you try it!

        Reply
    5. Charli Bruce

      August 29, 2018 at 9:26 am

      This is so cool! I’m going to show the kids this and get them making them! x

      Reply
      • Emma Vanstone

        August 29, 2018 at 10:46 am

        Make sure you show us if you give it a go!

        Reply
    6. Hannah

      August 29, 2018 at 9:37 am

      This looks interesting. My friends kids would love this

      Reply
    7. Super Busy Mum

      August 29, 2018 at 5:33 pm

      This is such a cool science craft for…well…not just the kids as I want to make one myself!

      Reply
    8. Kara

      November 07, 2018 at 8:04 am

      We have been loving the year of engineering experiments and this looks so cool – going to try this at the weekend

      Reply

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