Rubber Band Powered Car Science Project

Help kids learn about how things work, use creative problem solving, engingeering, and review simple machines as kids design their own rubber band car. This easy rubber band car is lots of fun, and a great learning activity. THis rubber band powered car science project is perfect for kindergartners, grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, grade 4, grade 5, and grade 6 students as a simple machine wheel project.

Rubber Band Car

Building and creating is something we just don’t do enough. We can buy manual powered cars, or even remote controlled cars, but nothing compares to creating one your own, easy rubber band car. This fun STEM activity for kids was probably the best we have done so far. It was relatively easy, inexpensive (we used quite a few recycled materials) and SO MUCH FUN! If you and your kids like creating STEM projects, this rubber band powered car is a must! Make your own rubber band car designs with your pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th grade students and have some fun playing and learning today! Whether you are a parent, teacher, or homeschooler – you’ve got to try designing a rubber band propeller car. THis is the project that your kids will remember and learn so much as they make a DIY Rubberband car.

Plus don’t miss our other 50 simple machine project ideas, free simple machines worksheets, plus simple machines games

Easy rubber band car

To make your rubber band powered cars you’ll need a few simple materials you probably already having laying around your house. As with any STEAM project for kids, having your kids tweak things, try new ideas, and designing the look of their car is part of the experience. 

Supplies

• Cardboard
• Scissors
• Toothpicks or a dowel
• Rubberband
• Plastic Straws
• Hot Glue

Directions

Start by cutting a rectangle out of cardboard. This is where your amazon box stash will come into play. This piece is going to be the base of the car. We did ours about 1 ½ size of a deck of cards.

On one end of the body of the car you are going to cut two slits, about ½ an inch apart. This will be in the middle of one end.

On the opposite side, you are going to cut a small rectangle out of the edge. See picture.

Rubber band car designs

Now it’s time to make the axis of the car. We used a dowel cut into two. Scissors wouldn’t cut this, but wire cutters did. You can also use toothpicks if you don’t have dowles on hand.

When this was done, we made the Axle Carriers. This is where the straws come into play. Cut them to fit the spaces as shown in the picture. I honestly cut what I thought would fit, used hot glue to attach and then cut down to size.

Rubber Band Car Designs

Now it’s time to make the axis of the car. We used a dowel cut into two. Scissors wouldn’t cut this, but wire cutters did. You can also use toothpicks if you don’t have dowles on hand.

When this was done, we made the Axle Carriers. This is where the straws come into play. Cut them to fit the spaces as shown in the picture. I honestly cut what I thought would fit, used hot glue to attach and then cut down to size.

Rubber Band Car Project

When these are attached, start on the side with the notch cut out. Slide the dowel in one side of the straw, and then through the other side. Tie the rubber band onto the middle of the dowel on the notch.

Slide the dowel onto the other side also.

Next, cut out 4 circles from cardboard to be wheels.

Glue these onto the ends of each of the dowels.

How to make a rubber band powered car

When the car is complete, take the rubber band end that isn’t attached and connect it to the two slits on the other end of the car. When you are ready to play with the car, you will pull the car back and the rubber band will wrap around the front axle. When it is wrapped a few times, let go of the car and the wheels will spin, pulling your car in the direction it is pointed.

You made a car move all on it’s own. How cool is that?

Rubberband Cars

Not only is this a fantastic STEM activity, it is also a confidence booster for kids. If you teach them that when they put their mind to it and work towards something, following the directions, they can create all on their own!