Metallic Machines

crayola supplies

household supplies

Why

Let your fantasies run at top speed with a machine you invent! Put your imagination in gear with Crayola® Gel Markers.

Steps

  1. 1. Imaginative machines have always fascinated curious people. During the Renaissance, the world's great thinkers spent their creative moments designing machines to handle almost every imaginable task. For examples of some fantastic machines, look at Leonardo da Vinci's sketchbooks. You'll see the beginning of ideas that led to machines such as airplanes.
  2. 2. To invent your own machines, collect recycled objects such as small boxes, paper towel rolls, bottle caps, and plastic candy-box inserts. What kind of machine will you design?
  3. 3. Pick one item, such as a box, as the base for your machine. Use Crayola Crayons or Gel Markers to color it. Use different colors to show various sections, gears, or other parts.
  4. 4. Choose other recycled objects, such as robot parts or wheels, to add to your base. Cut parts to fit with Crayola Scissors and color with crayons. Use Crayola School Glue to attach them. Dry.
  5. 5. Add details, such as on and off buttons, with beads and other decorative items. Crumple aluminum foil to create fixtures such as hydraulic hoses. Can you explain how it works?

When & Where

"Kids invented such cool machines! There was a page turner, automatic jumping shoes, and a speed-up practice device."
- Tamara E., Girl Scout leader.

"Our kids chose horse care as a theme. Their machines watered horses, cleaned stalls, and brushed manes and tails. What fun!"
- Ricky U., 4-H leader.

Interesting Info

The Etch-a-Sketch® was created by Arthur Granjean, who invented it in his garage. He called the toy L'Ecran Magique (the magic screen). In 1959, he took his invention to the International Toy Fair in Nuremberg, Germany, where it was seen and eventually bought by The Ohio Arts Company.

Safety Guidelines

Recycled Cardboard Tubes—Use paper towel tubes, gift-wrap tubes, or long cardboard tubes that can be cut to any length. Health professionals caution against using recycled toilet paper tubes for arts & crafts projects because of the potential fecal contamination.

Recycled Containers—Must be clean and safe. Do not use containers that contained bleach or other harmful chemicals (for example, household cleaners, dishwasher or laundry detergents). Do not use recycled metal cans that have sharp edges (for example, lids removed by household can openers).

Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.

© 2000 - 2006 Binney & Smith, Inc.