Make a Shoe Box Robot

What You Need:

• 1 shoebox
• Clear packing tape
• Tin foil
• Construction paper (color of your choice)
• Scissors
• 2 slinkies
• A stapler
• 1 paper plate
• Magic markers

What You Do:

1. Tape the lid of the box so that it is attached to the box itself.
2. Have your child cover the entire box with tin foil and tape the foil closed at the back.
3. Hold the box vertically. Staple the slinkies securely, one at a time, to the bottom (small side) of the box to make legs. You will staple only the first ring of metal. Make sure the staple goes securely through the cardboard, not just the foil.
4. Help your child to draw a robot face on the paper plate and decorate with robotic embellishments, such as brightly colored buttons.
5. Make a roll of packing tape so that it is sticky on both sides, stick it to the back of the plate, and attach the plate to the front of the box.
6. Cut two long strips from the construction paper and fold vertically accordion style. Tape one end to each side of the box to make arms.
7. Now, your child can add whatever extra decorations he would like, whether it be gluing circles of construction paper or buttons on the robot's body to make buttons, or rawing dials and levels using a black permanent marker.
8. Your new robot will be a bit fragile, but oh so cute! Sit him on a bureau or shelf so he can supervise activities down below.