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How to Make a Moving Car Out of a Mouse Trap

The kinetic energy in the spring of a mouse trap can be harnessed to power a small toy car. A string, attached to the arm of the trap, is wrapped around the axle of the car. As the spring closes the trap, the trap arm pulls the string, which turns the axle and wheels, propelling the car forward. A mouse trap car is a relatively simple project to build and should take about 1 hour to assemble. All of the parts for the car are available from your home improvement center and craft store.

Things You'll Need

Wooden spring-style mouse trap
10-inch length of string
4 small eye screws
2 sets of toy wheels and axles
Duct tape
Pencil

Instructions

- 1
  Screw an eye screw into the end of the mouse trap about 1/2 inch from the side. Screw another eye screw into the end of the trap on the other side. Repeat this step on the other end of the trap. Align the eye screws so the openings can hold the toy wheel axles.
- 2
  Cut a short strip of duct tape. Wrap the tape around the center of one of the wheel axles. The tape prevents the string from slipping on the axle. Remove one wheel from the axle. Thread the axle with the tape through the eye screws on the end of the trap opposite the trap arm. Remove a wheel from the other axle. Thread the axle through the other eye screws and replace the wheel. Spin the wheels to verify they can turn freely.
- 3
  Tie one end of the string to the outer part of the U-shaped wire bar that forms the mouse trap arm. This is the part of the trap that snaps shut when the trap is sprung. Tie the other end f the string to the center of the axle wrapped with tape.
- 4
  Pull the wire arm of the trap back. Flip the trigger rod over the trap arm and under the trigger plate to set the trap. Carefully turn the wheels of the axle with the string tied to it to wind the string onto the axle.
- 5
  Place the mouse trap car in a clear area on a flat and level surface. Trip the trigger plate with the end of a pencil. As the trap arm closes. it will pull the string to turn the wheels.

Educational Toys