How to Make a Child's Pinball Machine

Paint all wooden pieces, allowing ample time to dry.

Once paint is dry, attach the 2 x 4 to the top of the plywood (on one of the 9-inch edges) and then hammer wire nails in the plywood to make a frame. The first two nails should be placed 1/2 to 1 inch from the top of the piece of plywood and three inches from the side of the plywood. The second two nails should be placed at the bottom of the plywood in the same manner as the first two nails. The next two nails will be placed one inch from the side of the board and approximately 3 inches lower than the top two nails. The last two nails should be one inch from the side of the board and about three inches from the bottom two nails.

Stretch the rubber bands around the nails creating a border. The rubber bands should be reasonably tight but not overly so. Typically, the tighter the rubber band is stretched, the better and bigger the bounce of the marble will be.

Create the shooter by drilling a pilot hole halfway through the side of the wooden cube. Then hammer in a wire nail into the side of the cube until 1/2 inch remains exposed. Repeat this process with the other cube. Screw the blocks on to the bottom edge of the board leaving enough room for the doll pin to sit between them plus a 1/4 inch. Be sure that the nails that are sticking out of the blocks are facing away from one another toward to right and left of the pinball machine. Glue a piece of foam core across the top of the blocks. Use two craft sticks to place into either side of a doll pin.

Screw the blocks on to the bottom edge of the board leaving enough room for the doll pin to sit between them plus a 1/4 inch. Be sure that the nails that are sticking out of the blocks are facing away from one another toward to right and left of the pinball machine.

Glue a piece of foam core across the top of the blocks. Use two craft sticks to place into either side of a doll pin.

Put a rubber band around one of the nails on the cube blocks. Then wrap the rubber band around the craft stick, then over the doll pin, under and around the other crafts stick, then attached to the other nail on the second cube. Make sure the round part of the doll pin is facing away from the pin ball machine. Do a few test runs with a couple of marbles to see where the marble rolls.

Create a maze for the marble at the top right hand corner of the pinball machine where the marble bounced back the first time. The maze should consist of wire nails hammered in a small triangle. The marble should be able to easily fit in between the nails.

Cut the foam core into one-inch triangles, then attach loosely with a wire nail to the pinball machine. These will be spinners when the marble hits the foam.

Make point cups by cutting a V shape into bottle tops using the scissors. Attach with glue dots, label with stickers.

Attach bottle caps with a wire nails to create bumpers. Do not hammer the nails all the way in, this will allow the bumpers to spin.