Customer Reviews

Amazing Rubber Band Cars: Easy-to-Build Wind-Up Racers, Models, and Toys

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm an English/Science teacher in Asia, and thought that the projects in this book would be great for my students, aged 9-12. I took a look at the first few pages of the book on Amazon, and liked how it laid out instructions in a straight-forward manner, with plenty of pictures included. But I've got to say, when we put the instruction into practice, things got pretty difficult. Nearly every project in the book requires cardboard, which is easy enough to locate, but try cutting the assembly-pieces: you're going to need a box-cutter or heavy-duty scissors, and kids aren't going to have the strength to get through the cardboard, even if you trust them with such implements. You could use thinner cardboard, but you'll be forsaking structural integrity. Then it's time to break out the white glue, which takes a long time to dry; leave the project over-night for the glue to set properly. Precariously balance all the glued-together parts, and hope that they stay where they should. From there on in, it's smooth sailing, and you have a rickety cardboard car that travels about six feet of its own accord. Considering how if you push a regular toy car across the floor you'll end up with pretty much the same result, I wasn't surprised when my students were pretty underwhelmed.
So, in closing, parents & teachers should be prepared to foot nearly all of the effort required in the construction of something that will take you a couple of hours (spread over two days) to construct, and end with something that will leave a child not asking "How does it do that?", but "Why bother?" Then, the project will be stepped on and thrown away.
I'm sounding negative, so why the three-star review? Well, the book is laid out very well, the explanations of the simple mechanics are good for kids, and the projects DO work. For what they're worth.

Though some of the projects require adult assistance for younger children, this is a big hit for parent-child projects and folks with a penchant for fun and unusual projects. Especially like the rubber band toys.