Activities

Build your robot's body, then give it a brain.

Build a body

Build a body
Make it roll!
A box that rolls on bottle cap wheels when you pull its string.
- About 40 minutes
Build a body
Kaleidoscope boxes
Fold card squares and triangles into a 3D shape with glowing coloured windows.
- About 45 minutes
Build a body
Kinetic shapes
Card strips and shapes joined with split pins so they swing and wave.
- About 40 minutes
Build a body
Matchbox automata
Turn the handle and your character rides up and down.
- About 45 minutes

Give it a brain
Light-up card with a paper circuit
Make an LED light up on card, with a flap that switches it on and off.
- About 45 minutes
Give it a brain
Paper circuit robot with two LED eyes
Make a standing card robot whose two LED eyes light up when you clip its battery switch shut.
- About an hour
Give it a brain
micro:bit name badge
Code a micro:bit badge that plays an animation and shows your name.
- About 45 minutes
Give it a brain
Build a cardboard robot
A box robot that waves or spins its arms when it senses you.
- About 1 hour 30 minutes