What you'll need
Materials
Tick them off as you find them.
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How to make it
Skewer tips are sharp, so snip them off, and skip balloons for anyone with a latex allergy.
1Make the axle tubes
Cut 2 straws to the width of the cardboard. Tape them across the bottom, 1 near each end.
2Poke the wheels
Grown-up step: poke a hole in the center of each cap with a nail. Wiggle it until a skewer fits snug.
3Build the axles
Slide a skewer through each straw. Push a cap onto each end. Snip off the sharp tips.
4Test the roll
Push the car gently. If it wobbles, re-center the holes.
5Add the engine
Slide the balloon over one end of the last straw and wrap a rubber band around it. Tape the straw on top with the balloon over the car.
6Blow and go
Blow up the balloon through the straw. Pinch it, set the car down and let go.
7Talk about why
Air rushes out the back. The push backward sends the car forward. Every push has an equal push the other way.
If the car skids, the wheels are rubbing the cardboard. Make the straws stick out a bit wider.
Written by the DIY Project team. How we check · Report a mistake





