Maker Monday: Robot Hand

Kids can consider their skeletal structure when constructing an articulated Robot Hand, this week’s Maker Monday STEM project.

Before beginning, have kids examine their fingers and discover how many bones and joints are in each finger and thumb.

Fine motor skills come into play through cutting, threading string through straws and tying knots. Then the fun begins!

Supplies:

Foam sheet or cardboard from a cereal box

Drinking straws

Glue gun

Beads

String

Jumbo tongue depressor

Scissors

Marker or pen

Place a hand on the foam sheet or cardboard and trace the shape. Cut out the hand.

Cut the straws to fit each finger’s bones. You’ll need three “bones” for each finger and two for the thumb. Trim the straw pieces enough so there will be a “knuckle” gap between each “bone.” Use the glue gun to attach the “bones” to the fingers. Glue the tongue depressor to the back to use as a handle.

Cut lengths of string about 8-10 inches. Tie a bead to one end of a string. Thread through a finger’s “bones,” beginning from the tip and through to the palm. Tie another bead to the end. Repeat with each finger and thumb.

Now that your Robot Hand is complete, you can manipulate the fingers by pulling on the beads at the bottom of the strings.

For more Maker Monday projects and other fun stuff for kids, visit the Kidsburgh Activities page.