How to Make a Wind Car

Assembly

• 1

  Cut a body for the car out of the cardboard or foam board. This body can be just about any shape or size, but should be at least 3 inches by 6 inches. If you are making wheels out of foam board or cardboard, draw and cut them out now.

• 2

  Tape the axle holders--straight straws or anything like that--to the bottom of the car body. These holders should be at least as wide as the car body is, or a little wider. They need to be parallel to each other, and perpendicular to the car's body.

• 3

  Attach one axle, made of a dowel or skewer, to a wheel. Slide this wheel into place in an axle holder. Repeat for another axle and wheel. Use glue or tape, whichever you think will work best.

• 4

  Connect the remaining wheels to the axles. Make sure they aren't too tight against the car, so that the wheels roll freely, but not too loose so that the car rolls unevenly.

• 5

  Flip the car over and roll it around, making sure the vehicle travels in a straight line. Make any adjustments as necessary, then glue or tape the axle holders tightly in place.

• 6

  Cut a sail out of construction paper. Mark the points where it will connect to your mast, which is the third straight straw.

• 7

  Punch a hole in the middle of the vehicle, and glue the mast into it.

• 8

  Attach the sail to the mast.

Driving

• 9

  Make a starting line of masking tape on a flat piece of floor.

• 10

  Set up an electric fan on the ground about 14 inches behind the starting line.

• 11

  Set your car down at the starting line. When ready, switch the fan on and let it blow your racer across the floor.