Instructions for Kids on How to Build a Mousetrap Car

Instructions

• 1

  Cut one foam core to 3-inches by 19-inches by 1/4-inch and four foam cores to 1-inch by 1-inch by 1/4-inch in size and set them aside. The one larger foam core is for the body of the car and the four smaller cores are for wheel retainers. Cut one 18-inches long by 1/8-inch diameter rod (extension arm) and two 6-inches long by 1/8-inch diameter gas welding rod (used as axles). A gas welding rod can be purchased at a hardware store and is used making a welded or soldered joint.

• 2

  Squeeze hot glue on about 2/3 of two popsicle sticks and glue them to the front end of the width of the body (3-inches by 19-inches by 1/4-inch foam core). Repeat for the other two sticks but glue them to the back end of the body. The sticks should be spaced about 1/2-inch from the end of the body with the other 1/3 of the stick extending from the body (where the axle lays). Allow the glue to dry.

• 3

  Slide one of the axles through a pen barrel. Bend the ends 1/2-inch from the end of the barrel at 90 degree angles. This is your front axle.

• 4

  Glue the axle to the middle of the extended part of the front Popsicle sticks. Make sure that the barrel is parallel to the body.

• 5

  Cut the second pen barrel for the back of the car into two 1-1/2 inches long pieces. Slide the two pieces onto the 6-inches long axle leaving about 1/2-inch space from each end of the two barrel pieces. There should be space between the barrels. Bend the ends of the axle as you did in step 3.

• 6

  Attach the axle to the two back Popsicle sticks with hot glue leaving about 1-1/2 inch of the rear axle visible. Check to see if the axles are parallel to each other.

• 7

  Glue the four 1-inch by 1-inch by 1/4-inch foam core pieces to the non-glossy side of the four compact disks. Use an extension rod to poke a small hole, about 1/8-inch in diameter, through the center of the foam core on all four compact disks.

• 8

  Insert the axles into the compact disk wheel assemblies. Secure the axles and disks by applying hot glue to the outside of the foam cores and axles on the disks. Check to make sure the wheels turn and do not wobble before the glue dries.

• 9

  Attach the extension rod to the right side of the mousetrap on the brace that traps the mouse (opposite end of the hook on the trap) by wrapping it around the arm of the brace with a twist tie or other flexible wire. You may choose to wrap it again with duck tape for extra security.

• 10

  Glue the mousetrap in the center of the front body or 3-inches by 19-inches by 1/4-inch foam core and attach string to the end of the extension rod.

• 11

  Wind several layers of tape in the center of the back axle between the two barrels to give the car a lower gear for starting. The car is complete.