BattleBots: How to Build a Battling Doodle Bot

There’s something satisfying about watching two homemade robots beat the bolts out of one another, isn’t there? That’s why we’re excited that BattleBots has made its way back to television. While we’re stoked the show is back on The Science Channel, we’re even more excited that a few of Fatherly’s “Maker Dads” videos will appear during each episode, teaching parents how to create their own (less dangerous) robots with their kids. During this week’s episode, Maker Dad Shannon LaNier and his daughter Madison show you how to build a Doodle Bot with your kids.

What’s a Doodle Bot, you ask? Well, it’s an easy-to-assemble robot that’s made of a motor, paper cups, pens, and a good deal of googly eyes. The final creation spins and struts on a table while also leaving behind drawings that display its movements.

Here’s how to build this creative bot. First, place the motor on top of the inverted cup and trace an outline of the base with the pencil. Use a box cutter or craft knife to cut a hole in the base of the cup that is slightly smaller than the motor. Then, connect the wired snap to the motor post.

Glue a 9-volt battery to the side of the cup. And then tape four markers tip-side-down to the sides of the cup. Next, insert the motor into the hole, then tape the top and bottom of the motor so it is halfway in the cup. Attach a few inches of duct tape to the drive shaft of the motor. Finally, decorate your robot! Once you’re done with that, place the robot marker tip-side-down on a piece of paper and turn on the motor to start battling and drawing!
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