Want to turn your toothbrush into a robot? Yes, you heard it right, easy and appealing BrushBots are easy and entertaining to build and race. The little vibrating motor transforms the bristles into thousands of little legs, then they rush like crazy bugs! You can easily find all the materials you require to build BrushBot at your home. BrushBots are the best and amusing way to introduce your little engineers of all ages to the basics of simple electronics using easily available materials. You kids can also decorate their brush bot with numbers, teeth, eyes, or even a mustache!
The Brushbot is a simple and engaging STEM activity to upgrade your kid’s knowledge about robotics. In a few quick steps, turn your toothbrush into a buzzing, twirling “bots” that can be further customized as per your kid’s desire.
About Building A Brushbot Activity
Brushbots are a great project for kids and adults as well! We can make them with kids from 4 years and up with very close supervision from very well trained staff. We may also use hot glue guns, which are really helpful tools, but also a bit risky if not used rightly. A brush bot is what you get if you bind a motor to the back of a toothbrush head. When you switch on the motor and put it down on its bristles, it skitters across the floor and is a great pleasure. Even if you use a new toothbrush in which the bristles are pointed inwards so it isn’t stable standing on its bristles. Of course, there will be brush bots for everyone to play with.
So bring on your motors ready for some fun STEM learning with this amazing activity! And get ready for giggles because we assure you, your kids can’t keep a straight face when you see these little wonders moving around.
Supplies Required To Get Started
- 3VDC micro-vibration motor {affiliate} or motor from an electric toothbrush
- Angled head toothbrush {affiliate}
- 1.5V or 3V coin cell battery {affiliate}
- Electrical tape or other plastic tapes
- Transparent tape
- White card stock or heavy paper
- Scissors
- Wire cutters
Steps Involved In Building A Brushbot
- First of all, cut the head of a toothbrush by pinching the neck in a pair of wire cutters and bending back and forth until it snaps.
- Now tape the motor to the toothbrush head with transparent tape. Then play around with motor placement and direction as these make a difference in how the brush bot moves around.
- Now, take the two motor wires and tape each wire to a side of the battery using electrical tape. The motor doesn’t turn on? Switch sides then slide one wire out until you are ready to play with the brushbot.
- Now connect the battery wires and now have tons of fun watching these tiny bots run around!
Brushbots are a simple, captivating, and enjoyable type of tiny robot that you can easily build out of arts and crafts supplies available at your home. They are super easy and entertaining to build and you do not need any prior knowledge with robotics. You can make them yourself or for your little kids, build two robots with a friend and race them against each other, or even make them sumo wrestle! Just give it a try!
