Project Guide · Engineering & Motion
Rubber Band Race Cars
Build a small vehicle powered by a twisted rubber band and tune the wheel, axle, and body design for reliable motion.
What You Will Create
A flexible, hands-on build.
Build a small vehicle powered by a twisted rubber band and tune the wheel, axle, and body design for reliable motion. The guide can be adapted for families, classrooms, clubs, or drop-in learning spaces.
Engineering & Motion · Flexible group size · Easy to extend
Project Media
See the project take shape.
Project photo and video coming soon
Get Ready
Supplies and preparation
Supplies
Gather these materials
- Cardboard or foam bases
- Wheels
- Rubber bands
- Wooden skewers or dowels
- Straws for axle sleeves
- Tape
- Scissors
Preparation
Before participants begin
Prepare a flat testing lane and sample wheel-and-axle assemblies. Pre-punch difficult axle holes when needed.
Cover sharp skewer tips with tape or clay. Keep faces away from wound rubber bands and stop using any band that shows damage.
Build Guide
Follow the steps
Test as you build. Small revisions are part of the process and help participants understand why the final design works.
1. Plan and prepare
Sketch a lightweight car body and mark parallel positions for the front and rear axles.
2. Build the foundation
Tape straw sleeves under the body and slide the axles through them.
3. Add the main feature
Attach wheels so they turn freely and do not rub against the body.
4. Test and adjust
Connect a rubber band between the body and a drive axle, then turn the axle to store energy.
5. Finish and reflect
Release the car on a flat lane, observe its path, and adjust wheel alignment or friction.
Keep Exploring
Try another direction
Use one of these extensions after the first version is working.
- Measure distance after different numbers of axle turns.
- Change wheel size while keeping the body the same.
- Redesign for straight travel, distance, or a controlled stop.
LEARNING CONNECTIONS
Ideas within the build
Learning Connections
Ideas within the build
Stored energy, motion, friction, wheel-and-axle systems, measurement, variables, and engineering revision.
Facilitator Note
Make the process visible
Ask participants to predict what will happen, test one change at a time, and explain what they revised. Photograph early and final versions so the improvement process becomes part of the project story.
Find another project.
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