Tutorial: Get a Creative BOOST with Wind Cars!

by | Feb 27, 2024 | Free Tutorials, Kids & Art

Looking for some creative inspiration with an Eco-Art twist?  Give our Wind Cars tutorial a whirl!  Wind Cars can be made from found objects and a few simple art tools and materials around the house.  As an Eco- Art studio, our goal at Cloud 9 Workshop is to create using materials we already have at hand before purchasing new materials. Start a small collection of the materials listed below and the possibilities are endless. Let’s explore vehicles powered by the wind!

Wind Cars are a favorite project in our Gizmos and Gadgets Summer Camp. To FUEL our creativity, we love to start by brainstorming ideas.  Here are some questions to get your ideas flowing: 

  • What is a vehicle? A thing used to transport people or goods such as a car or truck. What vehicles can you think of? 
  • What gives vehicles power? What makes them move? Gas engines, electricity, sun/solar, wind, animals (such as horses) and people power (legs).

 

MATERIALS NEEDED

fan + extension cord

small boxes or empty containers (cans, packaging, etc.)

wood skewers

straws

milk caps

wire cutter or pruning shears, utility knife, scissors, awl & wood block (to protect table)

hot glue guns, glue & table covering

masking tape

scissors

markers

black marker/Sharpie

cardboard pieces, assortment of sizes and textures

 

STEPS FOR GROWN-UPS

For younger makers, assist with cutting wood skewers and punching holes in milk caps, setting up a fan, and use of utility knife and hot glue guns.

 

PROCESS

  • GATHER supplies and set up a space to create
  • SELECT supplies to use for each vehicle: 2 skewers, 2 straws, and 4 milk caps (make sure milk caps are matching so they balance, not all 4 need to match, 2 & 2 will work!
  • PREPARE your vehicle parts. ASSIST younger makers with punching holes in the center of the milk cap (wheels) using an awl and cutting skewers and cardboard to size
  • ASSEMBLE your vehicle to include these parts: Axle (skewer) + Axle housing (straw) + Wheels (caps
  • CREATE body of vehicle using small boxes or containers and ATTACH axle housing with tape (be careful with your spacing and alignment- what will happen if the wheels are taped on crooked and if front and back wheels are touching?)
  • TEST! Find a smooth and flat floor space and set up a fan and one end of the space.  When you set your wind car in front of the fan, does your vehicle move with the wind?
  • MODIFY your design. How can you make your vehicle move faster or farther? Where could you add cardboard to catch the wind better? Then TEST again
  • ADD DETAILS with Sharpies or other art supplies, add designs to your wind car.  Be sure to protect your table surface with a piece of scratch pape
  • PLAY and have fun testing the limits of your new vehicle.  Race or try a ramp!