Build-a-Bot Pencil Holder

Option One: Juniors & Primaries

Materials

• 10 3/4 ounce empty soup cans,* 1 per child
• Duct tape, one 9-inch piece per child*
• Glue dots, 8–10 per child
• Wiggle eyes, 2 per child
• Miscellaneous odds and ends for facial features,** amounts vary

*Similar-size cans (vegetables, beans, ravioli, etc.) will also work for this craft; however, material sizes and amounts may need to be adjusted.

**Raid your workbench, junk drawer, and craft supplies for nuts, bolts, springs, hooks, washers, paper clips, wire nuts, bottle caps, picture hangers, rubber gaskets, old keys, buttons, ribbon, chenille stems, mini pom poms, hole reinforcement stickers, etc. Almost anything will work—make sure it doesn't have sharp or rough edges and is safe to use with children.

Tools and Basic Supplies

• Scissors

Pre-Prep

1. Make sure all cans are clean and dry (with labels and any glue residue removed).
2. Apply duct tape around the top of each can. Cut or tear a 9-inch piece of tape. Then, starting on the outside about 3/4 inch from the top, fold the excess tape into the can so that any sharp edges are covered. The tape folds over more easily if you cut it in a few places.

Teaching Tie-In

Aren't robots fun? They can do all kinds of things, such as helping with heart surgeries, planting seeds, teaching kids, and predicting storms. But as cool as they are, they aren't nearly as cool as Jesus. He's the one who made our hearts in the first place, who invented the seeds robots are planting, who is the greatest Teacher ever (he knows all things), and who can even calm storms. Let's have fun building our own robot pencil holder and remembering that Jesus made the people who made the robots!

Class Time Directions

1. Use your imagination to design a robot face with the miscellaneous odds and ends provided. Use glue dots to attach them to the can.
2. Add wiggle eyes, if desired. Attach with glue dots.
3. Now your pencil holder is ready to hold your favorite pens, pencils, and markers.

Tip Corner

• When asking for can donations, request that they be washed and have labels removed.
• Larger (1/2-inch) glue dots are recommended for this craft.
• If the glue dots start to sag over time, reattach the facial pieces using a hot glue gun.

Option Two: Pre-Primaries & Toddlers

Materials

• 10 3/4 ounce empty soup cans,* 1 per child
• Duct tape, one 9-inch piece per child*
• Hole reinforcement stickers, 2 per child
• Geometric foam shapes** for facial features, amounts vary
• Geometric foam shapes** for facial features, amounts vary

*Similar-size cans (vegetables, beans, ravioli, etc.) will also work for this craft; however, material sizes and amounts may need to be adjusted.

**Caution: Small foam pieces and mini pom poms can be a choking hazard for young toddlers. As an alternative, use construction paper shapes.

Tools and Basic Supplies

• Scissors
• Craft glue

Pre-Prep

1. Make sure all cans are clean and dry (with labels and any glue residue removed).
2. Apply duct tape around the top of each can. Cut or tear a 9-inch piece of tape. Then, starting on the outside about 3/4 of an inch from the top, fold the excess tape into the can so that any sharp edges are covered. The tape folds over more easily if you cut it in a few places.

Teaching Tie-In

Aren't robots fun? They can do all kinds of things, like helping with heart surgeries, planting seeds, teaching kids, and predicting storms. But as cool as they are, they aren't nearly as cool as Jesus. He's the one who made our hearts in the first place, who invented the seeds robots are planting, who is the greatest Teacher ever (he knows all things), and who can even calm storms. Let's have fun building our own robot pencil holder and remembering that Jesus is the one who made the people who made the robots!

Class Time Directions

1. Design a robot face with the foam shapes. Use craft glue to attach them to the can.
2. Add hole reinforcement stickers for eyes.
3. If desired, add ribbon or a chenille stem around the top of the can for a headband.
4. Now your pencil holder is ready to hold your favorite pens, pencils, and markers.

Tip Corner

• Pour craft glue into soufflé cups, for every two children, and use craft sticks cut in half to spread it.