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How to Build a Powered Toy Car

Many children grow up playing with toy cars, and while there are many static vehicles available to play with which require the child to push them around themselves, self-propelled cars can be far more expensive, making them potentially cost prohibitive. A simple solution is the construction of a homemade, balloon-powered car. These cars can then be raced, with a small fleet of balloon cars able to be created for only a few dollars and a few minutes of work.

Things You'll Need

Playing card
Scissors
Straw
Duct tape
Two pairs toy car wheels
Push pin

Instructions

- 1
  Fold the playing card in thirds lengthwise.
- 2
  Cut a rectangle out of the playing card in the center of the middle third of the card, that is twice as long as the diameter of the straw, and as wide as the diameter of the straw.
- 3
  Cut the straw in half, and tape the two pieces together side-by-side using the duct tape at one end of the straws. Wrap around the straws without covering the open ends of the straws.
- 4
  Insert the taped ends of straws into the balloon, then secure the straws in place with more duct tape.
- 5
  Slide the end of the straws not attached to the balloon through the hole in the card, starting on the side the ends fold away from, and finishing on the side you folded the ends toward, then secure with the duct tape.
- 6
  Poke holes into the four corners of the playing card.
- 7
  Pass the axles of the toy wheels through the holes in one end of the card, across the middle portion, and through the remaining holes, then reattach the wheels to complete the construction of your car.
- 8
  Blow into the straws to inflate the balloon, and position the car so the open ends of the straw face away from the direction you wish it to travel.

Toy Vehicles