Homemade Closthespin Racecar

My boys like to build things. That's not a boy thing, either. It's a kid thing. Girls dig it too. These racecars were definitely a hit.

This brilliant idea came from Almost Unschoolers.

Supplies

Plastic disposable drinking straw

Twist ties (2 per car) - save the ones you get in the produce department of your grocery store

Wooden clothespin

Large Buttons (4 per car, pairs that are the same size)

Tape

Scissors

Construction

Clip two lengths of straw to be about 1 1/2 to 2 inches long.

Thread the twist ties through the straws.

Poke one end of the tie through one of the button holes. Thread it back through another hole and twist the remaining tail to secure.

Do the same to the other side. Repeat with the other length of straw and buttons.

Pinch one of the straws through the hole in the clothespin's clip.

Place the other straw behind the clip's spring and wrap tape around the backend of the clothespin to secure the back axle in place.

Your car is complete!

Construct various ramps to race your car. What happens when the ramp is steeper? Does the car go faster? If you use small buttons on front and large on back does it impact the car's speed?

These questions really got my boys thinking!