How to Build a Cardboard Robot

Learn how to turn recycled cardboard boxes into your own custom robot friend with this simple step-by-step guide. HowTo: Family Edition: family how-tos that actually help.

1. Prepare your parts. Gather your boxes and tubes. If you want a shiny robot, wrap your boxes in aluminum foil first. Ask a grown-up if you need help taping the foil edges down securely.
2. Connect the body and head. Place the smaller box on top of the larger box. Use strong tape to attach them together so the head stays put. This is your robot's main structure.
3. Add the limbs. Tape the paper towel rolls to the sides of the large box for arms, and to the bottom for legs. Make sure your robot can stand up on its own before moving to the next step.
4. Design the face and controls. Glue bottle caps or buttons onto the chest for control panels. Use markers to draw a face on the head box. You can even cut out small squares of paper to make digital eyes.