STYROFOAM brand foam crafts

Purple Robot

Here's a creative project for a scout troop, summer camp, or other group activity. Encourage kids to bring found objects from home to incorporate into their robot to make it "their own."
   Completion Time - 
1-2 hours
   Designer - 
Kathleen George

Materials

STYROFOAM Brand Foam
  • Cube, 3"
  • Balls, 2", two
  • Balls, 1", two
  • Ball, 2-1/2"
Other Materials
  • Craft wire
  • Wooden skewers
  • Silver buttons, four
  • Silver bead
  • Acrylic craft paint: your color choice
  • Thick white craft glue
  • Embellishments of choice

Tools

    Instructions

    1. Using a serrated knife, have supervising adult cut in half the 2-1/2" and two 2" balls of STYROFOAM™ brand foam. Hint: Wax knife blade with old candle or bar of soap for easier cutting.
      1. Glue a 2½" half ball to the top of the cube. Save remaining half for future project.
      2. Cut wooden skewer into three, 3½" lengths using knippers.
      3. Insert each skewer into the rounded tops of the halves of 2" ball". Remove skewers, add glue to holes, and reinsert.
      4. On bottom of cube, mark three dots with a marker, creating a triangle. Insert other end of each skewer into marked points; remove skewers, add glue to holes, and reinsert. Stand robot on its feet and level the legs so the cube stands straight.
      5. Paint body and two, 1" balls; let dry thoroughly.
      6. Tightly wind 10" pieces of craft wire tightly around the handle of a broom or similar object, creating two spring arms. Push one end into side of cube, remove, add glue, and insert again. Repeat for second arm. Using low-temp glue, attach 1" balls to the other ends for hands.
      7. Tightly wind a 6" length of craft wire around a pencil to create antenna. Glue a bead onto one end and insert and glue other end into top of head.
      8. Press silver buttons onto the front of the robot, adding glue if needed.
      9. Add additional embellishments, if desired.