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How to Build an Elastic Powered Toy Car

Building an elastic-powered car can be a fun project for children, and can be done with adult supervision. The craft project can be used to teach about potential and kinetic energy. When the car is constructed and the rubber band is wrapped around the car's axle, the potential energy is stored in the rubber band. When you let it go, and the rubber band unravels and propels the car forward, it turns into kinetic energy.

Things You'll Need

5-inch by 6-inch piece of corrugated cardboard (with holes from the corrugation visible along the long edge)
Ruler
Scissors
1 thin wooden skewer
Tape
2 1/4-inch faucet washers
2 CDs
Poster putty
1 rubber band

Instructions

- 1
  Cut a 2-inch wide and 1 1/2-inch deep notch in the center of the short side of the cardboard.
- 2
  Slide the skewer through the cardboard on the same edge of the notch. The skewer will pass through the cardboard, through the notch and then through the cardboard to the other side.
- 3
  Wrap a small piece of tape in the center of the skewer, to make a catch for the rubber band. Twist the tape to make it thick enough to hold the rubber band.
- 4
  Hold a washer in the center hole of a CD and slide both onto the skewer, without pushing it too close to the cardboard. Use poster putty to stick the CD, washer and skewer together. Repeat with the other side.
- 5
  Tape the rubber band to the cardboard at the end opposite the skewer and wrap the other end on the skewer's catch. It is now ready for you to wrap the rubber band around the axle several times and let it drive.

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