How to Build a Toy Water Wheel

Tape two plates back-to-back by wrapping 1 1/2-inch-wide masking tape around the circumference or perimeter of the plates. Wrap masking tape two times around the plates to form a wheel. Cut off the excess tape with scissors.

Punch a hole in the center of both plates with the tip of your pencil.

Repeat Step 1 and 2 with the other two polystyrene plates and tape to craft another wheel.

Place a 25-inch strip of masking tape onto your work table, sticky side up. Press cups onto the tape in a row all facing one direction and a half-inch apart.

Wrap the tape with cups around one of the plate wheels. Apply 3-inch strips of tape between each cup to secure the cups onto the plate wheel.

Tape the wheel without cups to the wheel with cups. Secure the end of a 3-foot-long string onto the wheel without cups using tape. Wind the string onto the wheel without cups along the taped section. Tie a plastic bag with three pebbles to the end of the string.

Push a plastic straw through the center holes of both wheels. Thread 3-foot string through the straw and tie each end to a tree or chair outside. Shoot water from a hose onto the cups and watch the water wheel move.