Irresistible! A collection of motor-craft ideas that will captivate adults
Want to try making something fun? For adults who feel that way, here are some captivating craft ideas that use motors.
From projects you can easily start with materials around the house to ones you can dive into as a serious hobby, we’ve got a wide range of ideas.
Think hovercrafts, mini fans, medal-style arcade games—projects that deliver a real sense of achievement and excitement when you finish.
One of the charms of motor-based crafts is that, by getting creative with how the motor moves, you can produce unexpected motions and functions.
Why not rediscover the joy of making through these projects?
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Irresistible to make! A collection of motor craft ideas that adults get hooked on (11–20)
A truly usable cooler made from cardboard
We’re introducing a DIY cooler made from cardboard, plastic bottles, a battery pack, and a motor.
First, cut three circular holes in the side of the cardboard, each the same size as the bottom of a plastic bottle.
Insert and secure plastic bottles that have been cut to one-third of their length into the holes, using the bottle neck side.
On the inside of the cardboard, attach a propeller to the side opposite the bottles, and make small holes on both sides.
Mount the motor’s switch on the lid, place some ice packs inside, and close the cardboard box to finish.
Decorate it with vinyl tape or any other materials you like.
Irritating Wobbly Maze
The “Irritating Stick” game we used to often see on TV can actually be made with a simple circuit! Many DIY versions make a buzzer sound or light up an LED when you fail, but the one I’m introducing this time spins a motor when you make a mistake.
You can attach a propeller to the motor, or add a little mascot for a playful touch.
For an adult-oriented build, I also recommend incorporating Arduino, which makes programming easy, to implement a feature that measures the time from start to finish!
robot
This is an idea for a biped walking robot that uses a motor unit called a TT motor.
Its earnest little walking motion is just adorable, isn’t it? It applies a slider-crank mechanism, which converts the rotational motion generated by the motor into a reciprocating linear motion.
You can build it by combining small wooden pieces like ice cream sticks, so check the instructions and give it a try.
This project might inspire you to create robots with even more complex movements!
merry-go-round
How about making a carousel using a motor’s rotation? Since the motor’s raw RPM is very high, use pulleys or gears to reduce the speed.
For everything besides the drive mechanism, you can boost the overall quality by getting creative with the exterior and the horses.
You could go for a whimsical, fairy-tale vibe or a luxurious feel—either would be great! Incorporating characters from anime could also make it especially appealing to children.
Plastic bottle vacuum cleaner
It’s a bit challenging, but let’s try making a vacuum cleaner out of a plastic bottle! You’ll need: a 1.5-liter plastic bottle, a large can, a motor, a mesh strainer bag, something to use as a hose, an awl, a utility knife, scissors, and electrical tape.
From the can, make a propeller that’s slightly smaller than the diameter of the plastic bottle.
Divide the plastic bottle into three sections; attach the motor to the propeller at the bottom section, attach the mesh strainer bag to the cut edge of the top section, and then reassemble it back into the original bottle shape.
Finally, attach the hose to the bottle’s mouth, connect batteries to the motor leads, and your vacuum cleaner is complete!
propeller ship
This is a craft project for a propeller boat with a motor mounted on a milk carton, as published on the Megmilk Snow Brand website.
You cut and assemble the milk carton, attach a motor and a propeller, and it’s complete, so the building process is relatively simple.
This propeller boat gains thrust by using the airflow generated by the rotation of the propeller connected to the motor.
In the published instructions, it only moves forward, but it could be interesting to study how DIY radio-controlled boats work and add a rudder to this propeller boat so it can be steered.
Irresistible projects! A collection of motor craft ideas that captivate adults (21–30)
How to make a basic robot
Build a robot with your own hands! We’ll show you how to make a basic robot.
These days, you see robots active in all kinds of roles.
In fast-food restaurants there are robots that carry food and drinks, and some households even keep robotic pets.
This time, let’s try making a simple robot.
You’ll need a ruler, scissors, a pen, thick paper or cardstock, batteries, a battery holder, a switch, a motor, wires, and so on.
Even if it’s your first time trying a motor-based project, give it a try!