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Clothespin Racecar

- Motor Practice
- Spelling
- Grades 4-5
- Grades 1-3
Enjoy the ride with this racecar clothespin craft and a lesson on the letter ‘R!’
Materials
1 Clothespin (Per Car)
Acrylic Paint (Optional)
4 Buttons (Matching Pairs)
2 Twist Ties (Per Car)
1 Plastic Straw (Cut into Two 1.5-inch Pieces)
Scissors
Glue or *Hot Glue* Adult Supervision Required
Instructions
Step 1.
Lay out all your materials and start your engines!

Step 1.
Lay out all your materials and start your engines!
Step 2.
Push the end of a twist tie through one of the button holes.

Step 2.
Push the end of a twist tie through one of the button holes.
Step 3.
Thread about an inch of the twist tie through the second hole on the other side of the button.

Step 3.
Thread about an inch of the twist tie through the second hole on the other side of the button.
Step 4.
Tightly twist the shorter end of the twist tie around the longer end.

Step 4.
Tightly twist the shorter end of the twist tie around the longer end.
Step 5.
Thread the open end of twist tie through a 1.5-inch piece of straw. Then, slide the straw up to meet the button.

Step 5.
Thread the open end of twist tie through a 1.5-inch piece of straw. Then, slide the straw up to meet the button.
Step 6.
Repeat Steps 1 and 2 on the open end of the twist tie using a second button. Leave just enough room to tightly twist the shorter end of the twist tie 3-4 times to secure the second button — carefully cut off any excess twist tie!

Step 6.
Repeat Steps 1 and 2 on the open end of the twist tie using a second button. Leave just enough room to tightly twist the shorter end of the twist tie 3-4 times to secure the second button — carefully cut off any excess twist tie!
Step 7.
Step 6: Repeat Steps 1-5 to create the second set of wheels.
- TIP: Customize your racecar! Paint it your favorite color and add some racing stripes!

Step 7.
Step 6: Repeat Steps 1-5 to create the second set of wheels.
- TIP: Customize your racecar! Paint it your favorite color and add some racing stripes!
Step 8.
Carefully clamp the clothespin to the middle of one of the wheel sets — make sure the twist tie can still move in the straw!

Step 8.
Carefully clamp the clothespin to the middle of one of the wheel sets — make sure the twist tie can still move in the straw!
Step 9.
Glue the second set of wheels to the open end of the clothespin near the coil. Once it’s dry, your clothespins racecars are ready to race!

Step 9.
Glue the second set of wheels to the open end of the clothespin near the coil. Once it’s dry, your clothespins racecars are ready to race!
Teacher's Corner
Zoom to this clothespin craft and practice spelling!
Lesson Objectives
- Drive in Reverse: The word ‘racecar’ is known as a palindrome, which means it’s spelled the same forward and backward. As a class, write out other palindromes to practice spelling (ex: level, madam)!
- Fine Motor: Exercising finger and hand muscles strengthens dexterity, which helps with crafts and projects that require small movements.
Follow-up Discussion
- There are so many cars and trucks on roads today. Where and when did it all begin? Explore the history of this useful invention with a virtual trip to the Smithsonian!