Racing Roman Gladiators

crayola supplies

Model Magic®
Glitter Glue

household supplies

paper clips (optional)
string (optional)
plastic drinking straws (optional)
toothpicks - wooden (optional)

Why

Ancient Rome’s Circus Maximus was definitely an adrenaline rush! Construct a gladiator’s chariot and start your own races.

Steps

1. Put on your helmet! Wrap the reins for four horses around your wrists. Take off on a two-wheeled chariot! Gladiators in ancient Rome’s Circus Maximus used their body weight to control their harnessed steeds. They raced seven laps around a track in front of 150,000 spectators!
2. Long ago, chariots were used in battle and pulled by mules and oxen. The Greeks were the first to race them. Step back in time to join the excitement! Roman chariots were specialized, lighter versions of regular vehicles, just like today’s race cars. Red, green, and white were the most popular colors.
3. Shape Crayola Model Magic® into a chariot with two wheels. Form a gladiator to stand inside the vehicle. Can you figure out a way to make the wheels turn? (Hint: toothpicks, drinking straws, or paperclips.) You could add extra touches such as string for reins, too. Why not make the horses while you’re at it? And a stadium!
4. Show the power and glory of your racing team with Crayola Glitter Glue highlights. Air-dry before you join the throng!

When & Where

"By looking at Greek vases and wall mosaics in a museum, we saw what chariots really looked like—NOT the Hollywood version."
- Geraldine D., mother of 9-year-old twins.

"We traced the history of the circus from religious gatherings and funeral games to places for political agendas to entertainment."
- Tim E., volunteer youth coordinator.

Interesting Info

Roman Emperor Nero signaled to show he had finished his lunch and the races could begin again by tossing his napkin into the ring. This story started a tradition that is still used to begin races today.

Safety Guidelines

Glitter Glue— WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD—Small parts. Not for children under 3 years. Not for use on skin.

Crayola Modeling Materials including Crayola Model Magic®, and Model Magic Fusion™, Crayola Air-Dry Clay, and Crayola Dough—

Keep away from open flames. Do not use to make candleholders, hot plates, trivets, or other similar objects that will be used or placed near fire and other heat sources.
Do not put in an oven, microwave, or kiln.
Do not make into vessels/containers that will hold unpackaged food.
The use of modeling material to make items that look like food is discouraged for children younger than age 5 to avoid their confusion with real food.
Unless sealed with a water-resistant glaze, do not make projects exposed to or immersed in water, such as boats or outdoor bird feeders. They would disintegrate when exposed to moisture.
Crayola Dough—contains gluten (wheat flour) as an ingredient.
Crayola Air-Dry Clay, Crayola Model Magic and Model Magic Fusion are gluten-free. However, they are produced on the same machinery as Crayola Dough which does contain gluten. Although the machines are cleaned prior to the start of each production run, there is a slight possibility that trace amounts of gluten from Crayola Dough may be present in the other modeling compound products. For information regarding specific ingredients or allergic concerns, please call our Consumer Affairs department at 1-800-272-9652 weekdays between 9 AM and 4 PM Eastern Standard Time.

String-Like Materials—Includes string, raffia, lacing, yarn, ribbon, and other similar material. Children 3 years and younger should not be given any string-like material that is longer than 12 inches. Close adult supervision is essential whenever children use string-like material. When crafts are to be worn around the necks of children 8 years and younger, attach the ends of the “string-like material” with clear adhesive tape, which allows easy release of the bond if the craft becomes entangled or caught on equipment. For children older than 8 years, the ends of the “string-like material” may be tied and knotted.

Wood—By its nature, wood is rough and may contain splinters or sharp points