Build 3 quick prototypes
Build three quick prototypes: a paper airplane, a rubber-band car, and a paper cup telephone. Test, tweak, and compare how each prototype performs.
About this activity
Build three quick prototypes: a paper airplane, a rubber-band car, and a paper cup telephone. Test, tweak, and compare how each prototype performs.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Gather all the materials from the list and set them on a clear table so you can reach everything easily.
- 2
Step 2
Fold one sheet of paper into a simple dart paper airplane.
- 3
Step 3
Throw the airplane from the same spot and use the ruler to measure how far it flies.
- 4
Step 4
Make one tweak to the airplane like bending the wing tips up or adding a paperclip to the nose.
- 5
Step 5
Fold and tape a rectangular paper chassis for the rubber-band car (about as big as your hand).
- 6
Step 6
Tape two straws under the chassis parallel to each other to hold the axles.
- 7
Step 7
Push a skewer or pencil through each straw so it spins freely and poke a bottle cap or cardboard wheel onto each end.
- 8
Step 8
Hook a rubber band to the rear axle and wind it to make a simple motor.
- 9
Step 9
Let go to test the car from the same starting point and measure how far it rolls.
- 10
Step 10
Tweak the car by straightening the wheels or adding another rubber band for more power.
- 11
Step 11
Make a small hole in the bottom center of each paper cup using a pencil point (ask an adult to help).
- 12
Step 12
Thread the string through both cups and tie big knots so the string cannot pull back through the holes.
- 13
Step 13
Pull the string tight between the two cups and have one person speak into a cup while another listens to test the telephone.
- 14
Step 14
Compare the three prototypes by writing or saying which one went farthest which one was fastest or loudest and which one you liked best.
- 15
Step 15
Take a photo or write about your three prototypes and share your finished creations and results on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do you build and test three quick prototypes: a paper airplane, a rubber-band car, and a paper cup telephone?
To make and test three quick prototypes, start with the paper airplane: fold a standard dart (two diagonal folds, crease wings) and launch from shoulder height. For the rubber-band car: attach four wheels to axles (straws or skewers) mounted on a lightweight chassis, hook a twisted rubber band to an axle as a motor, wind and release. For the paper cup telephone: poke holes in two cups, thread and knot a long string through, pull taut to talk. Test each, measure distance or clarity, tweak wing sh
What materials do I need to make a paper airplane, a rubber-band car, and a paper cup telephone?
Basic supplies: printer or construction paper, scissors, tape, and markers. For the paper airplane use one sheet of paper. For a rubber-band car you’ll need a lightweight chassis (cardboard or plastic), four wheels (bottle caps, toy wheels, or CDs), two axles (straws, skewers, or dowels), a rubber band for propulsion, and tape or glue. For the paper cup telephone use two paper or plastic cups and 6–10 feet (2–3 meters) of string plus a pencil to make holes. Safety scissors and extra tape are han
What ages is building quick prototypes like these suitable for?
These quick prototypes suit a wide age range. Paper airplanes work well for ages 4 and up—young kids can fold with simple guidance. Rubber-band cars are best for ages 6+ when children can safely handle cutting tools and small parts; adult help recommended for younger kids. Paper cup telephones are great for ages 3+ with supervision to thread the string. All activities benefit from adult supervision for ages 3–8 and teach basic engineering, fine motor skills, and trial-and-error learning.
What are the benefits and safety tips when kids build and compare quick prototypes?
Benefits include hands-on STEM learning, creativity, problem-solving, and learning to iterate: kids test ideas, measure results, and improve designs. These activities build fine motor skills and teamwork. Safety tips: supervise young children, use blunt scissors, keep small pieces and rubber bands away from toddlers, never point rubber bands at faces, and test vehicles in open spaces. Variations: change wing shapes, add payloads, use different wheel materials, or compare running surfaces to expl
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can I use if I don't have skewers, bottle caps, or straws from the materials list?
If you don't have wooden skewers you can use sharpened pencils or barbecue picks, bottle caps can be replaced with large buttons or cardboard circles glued to the axle, and the straws can be swapped for folded strips of cardstock taped under the paper chassis to hold the axles.
My rubber-band car doesn't roll straight or very far—what should I check?
If the car won't roll straight or the wheels don't spin freely, make sure the two straws are taped parallel under the chassis, the skewer or pencil axles spin freely inside the straws (widen the straw holes or trim the axle if needed), and the bottle-cap or cardboard wheels are pushed on evenly and aligned before winding the rubber band.
How can I adapt the three-prototype activity for different ages?
For preschoolers have an adult fold the paper airplane and poke the cup holes while the child decorates and tests throws, for elementary kids let them fold, measure distances with the ruler and make small tweaks like bending wing tips or adding a paperclip, and for older kids add controlled variables (extra rubber bands, different wheel types), record results, and write or upload findings to DIY.org.
What are simple ways to enhance or personalize the prototypes after finishing the basic tests?
To extend the activity try adding a paperclip to the airplane nose (step tweak) or extra rubber bands to the rear axle for more power, replace bottle-cap wheels with smoother wheels or cardboard discs, decorate the paper chassis and cups, and time or photograph each prototype to compare which went farthest, fastest, or loudest before sharing on DIY.org.