Maker Monday: Kids can build this DIY robot that draws pictures

Are your kids in the mood to get creative? This surprisingly simple and super-fun Maker Monday craft idea comes from Maureen Frew, the caring educator who inspired the #bethekindkid movement. It’s a remarkable mix of science and art that lets kids create a new toy they’ll be glad to have.

With this project, kids can create their own “drawbot” — a robot that draws on paper. As with all Maker Monday projects, the supplies you’ll need are things you may already have around the house or you can buy inexpensively at a dollar store or craft store. Check out the detailed instructions below.

A note to kid makers: Please work with a parent or caregiver on this Maker Monday project and always be very careful when using tools of any kind.

Maker Monday materials you’ll need:

• 3 markers
• 1 round foam disk
• 1 electric toothbrush (it can be an old one you’re ready to throw away!)
• a glue gun/glue sticks or super glue (if you don’t have a glue gun, you can have an adult help you with super glue)

Maker Monday instructions:

1. Push the flat ends of your three markers into the foam (but not all the way through), forming a triangle with the markers. These will be the supporting legs of your drawbot.

2. Turn the disc over and glue the back of the toothbrush onto the top of the disc.

3. Take the caps off the markers and set your drawbot on a sheet of paper. (Note: The bigger the sheet, the more space your drawbot will have to create its picture.) Then, turn the toothbrush on and watch your drawbot go. You will see it jiggling and scribbling, buzzing and shaking across the paper! (If the markers are wobbly, you can secure them by gluing them into the foam disc.)