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How to Build a Robot Game

Robots fire the imagination of kids of all ages. Robot toys can provide lots of fun, but when kids get to become "robots" themselves, it's even better! Now the fun and excitement is limited only the child's imagination. First, to play this robot-relay game, kids will need a robot outfit or costume made from common items found in the home and garage. Next, with a little adult supervision and a roll of duct tape, the adventure begins. This type of creative role play is particularly appealing to children ages 6 to 8. This makes a fun party game for younger children.

Things You'll Need

Large pieces of heavy cardboard or cardboard box
Large roll of aluminum foil
Arm- and leg-length sections of foil- or plastic-covered dryer connector hose
Duct tape
Scissors
Felt-tip marker
Pipe cleaners
Plastic milk jug caps
Assorted scrap pieces for decoration
White school glue

Instructions

- 1
  Assemble the robot costume. Show the materials to your child. Ask him to imagine how a robot might look using these materials.Use cardboard to form the basic body shape of the robot. Duct tape can be used to hold the cardboard together. Use the dryer hose sections to form flexible arms or legs. You can attach them with the duct tape. If you want, cut holes in the cardboard "body" so that your child can move the arms. The legs should just dangle next to your child's legs. Attach milk jug caps for imaginary control knobs with the white school glue.
- 2
  Decorate the basic box-shape body with assorted scraps and aluminum foil. Apply the decorations with tape or glue.You can also use the felt-tip marker to give the robot more personality. If you want, include all of the game players in this part of the game, or make the costumes ahead of time.
- 3
  Form two teams with equal number of players. You can count off or pick teams as you wish.
- 4
  Have the first two players get into the robot costumes. If everyone has made their own costume, then everyone should put on their costume at this time. Each robot should put on his costume on his own to avoid disputes over how the costumes should be worn.
- 5
  Set up the relays. All the children (now robots) will be at one end of the relay course in a line. At the other end of the course, there will be an activity, such as blowing bubbles, eating a cracker or dropping an object like a bean bag into a container. One at a time, the robots will have to robot-walk down the course, complete the task and then robot-walk back to either tag the next robot or trade out the robot costume so that the next robot can do her leg of the relay.
- 6
  Give the signal to begin. On the signal, the first robot child should make his way down the course to do the task and then return. Make sure that you cheer on both teams, and give accolades for particularly robotic walking as well as speed. Encourage the children to cheer on their teammates. The first side to have every team member complete the robot task and make it back to the starting point wins.

Kids Games