Mega Tinkercad Challenge
Design and build a 3D model of a simple robot or vehicle in Tinkercad, learn basic CAD tools, measurements, and creative problem-solving.
About this activity
Design and build a 3D model of a simple robot or vehicle in Tinkercad, learn basic CAD tools, measurements, and creative problem-solving.
What you need
Step by step
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Step 1
Open Tinkercad in your web browser.
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Step 2
Click "Create new design" to start a blank workplane.
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Step 3
Sketch a simple robot or vehicle on paper.
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Step 4
Use your ruler to write measurements for the main body width length and height on the sketch.
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Step 5
Drag a box or cylinder shape from the Shapes menu onto the workplane to make the main body.
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Step 6
Resize the main body to match your sketch measurements using the corner handles or the ruler tool.
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Step 7
Drag cylinder shapes onto the workplane to make wheels or legs.
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Step 8
Move each wheel or leg to the spot where it should attach to the body.
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Step 9
Select the body and wheels and use the Align tool to line them up evenly.
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Step 10
Drag hole shapes from the Shapes menu onto the workplane to mark windows or cutouts.
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Step 11
Select the hole shapes and the body and click Group to cut out the windows or details.
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Step 12
Drag thin cylinders through the wheels to create axles and position them so wheels can turn.
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Step 13
Use the color palette to color each part of your model.
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Step 14
Export your model as an STL or OBJ file if you want to 3D print it.
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Step 15
Share your finished Tinkercad robot or vehicle on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do I run a Mega Tinkercad Challenge so kids can design a simple robot or vehicle?
To run the Mega Tinkercad Challenge, have kids sign into Tinkercad and start a new 3D design. Begin with a quick sketch, then drag basic shapes onto the workplane; use align, scale, rotate, and the Ruler tool to set measurements. Combine shapes with Group, make holes for connectors, and test moving parts with separate grouped pieces. Encourage iteration—duplicate, resize, and fix collisions. Export as STL for printing or share the design link. Allow 45–90 minutes depending on skill.
What materials and tools do I need for the Mega Tinkercad Challenge?
You'll need a computer or tablet with internet and a modern browser, a free Tinkercad account, and a mouse (helps precision). Optional: printer to sketch ideas, paper and pencil for planning, a USB stick to save files, and a 3D printer or access to a print service plus filament if you want physical models. For group settings, extra monitors or tablets and headphones work well.
What ages is the Mega Tinkercad Challenge suitable for?
Suitable for ages 8–14 for independent work; younger children (5–7) can participate with close adult help. Older teens and beginners of any age can use it to learn basic CAD tools and measurements. Adjust challenge complexity: simple blocky robots for younger kids, moving parts and measured joins for older ones. Expect patience and guided instruction for first-timers.
What are the benefits of doing the Mega Tinkercad Challenge with my child?
Doing the Mega Tinkercad Challenge builds spatial reasoning, basic geometry and measurement skills, and digital design literacy. It encourages creative problem-solving, iterative thinking, and persistence when debugging models. Working in pairs promotes communication and teamwork. If you plan to 3D print designs, kids also learn about manufacturing steps and tolerances, giving practical STEM experience in a fun, low-risk environment.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have a physical ruler or a printer for this Tinkercad robot activity?
If you don't have a physical ruler or 3D printer, use Tinkercad's on-screen Ruler tool to write and resize the main body width, length, and height, and skip exporting or export the STL/OBJ later when you have access to a printer.
My wheels end up inside the body or the windows disappear when I group—what went wrong?
If wheels sit inside the body or windows vanish, check that each wheel and the thin-cylinder axles are positioned outside the body before using Align, and make sure the cutouts are set to 'Hole' and selected with the body before you click Group.
How can I change the activity for younger or older kids?
For ages 5–7, an adult can pre-place the box/cylinder main body and wheels so kids only drag, color, and align parts, while older kids can follow the measurement step with a ruler, add thin-cylinder axles for rotation, and export STL/OBJ for 3D printing.
What are simple ways to improve or personalize the robot or vehicle after the basic build?
To enhance it, use hole shapes to cut custom windows or logos, make axle cylinders slightly smaller for clearance so wheels turn, apply different colors with the palette, and export separate parts as STL/OBJ for multi‑color or assembly printing.