Cardboard Ferris Wheel

In response to a question by dromedarius, ". . . my daughter has to make a ferris wheel for school do you have any ideas how she can make something similar to your model using recyclable items," I decided to put together a quick instructable answer.

Supplies needed:

Cardboard

One pencil

Three paperclips

Three toothpicks

Tape

Scissors

Draw circles on cardboard. I traced the bottom of a flower pot.

Cut out the circles.

Find the center of the circle--this requires high school geometry or a fair amount of trial and error.

Insert toothpicks at the 12 o'clock, 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock positions.

Insert a pencil through both cardboard circles--to keep things lined up.

Insert the toothpicks into the other cardboard circle.

Find a thin little cardboard box--Amazon often supplies these.

As a side note, long ago when I wrote a book, "Amazing Rubber Band Cars," I tried to get Amazon to print some of my cardboard toy designs on their boxes--thinking their boxes could be turned into toys and that some people might purchase my book. Right :)

Tape the box securely closed and draw the part that needs to be cut out.

Cut the excess away and place the pencil/cardboard circles combo in the slot.

Cut a "boarding" slot so that the "riders" can get on.

Cut three narrow pieces of cardboard and bend them to make seats.

Insert a paper clip through the top back of the seat. Bend the other end to fit over the toothpick.

To keep the paperclip from sliding over to the edge, wrap two small strips of tape to build up a barrier that will prevent the paperclip from sliding left or right.

Place the seat assembly on the toothpick.

Now you can turn the ferris wheel by hand.

Hopefully, this will provide a jumping off point for cardboard ferris wheel construction!