Cardboard Articulated Tendon-Pull Robotic Gripper Hand

50 mins Ages 8-14 Indoor

An engaging, screen-free learning activity that builds real-world creativity and critical thinking for kids aged 8 to 14.

Materials Needed

  • • Corrugated cardboard sheet (approx. 30x40 cm) (1 sheet)
  • • Plastic or paper drinking straws (5 straws)
  • • Smooth nylon cord or strong twine (2 meters)
  • • Hot glue gun and scissors (1 set)
  • • Lightweight plastic cup (test payload) (1 unit)

Pro Tips

  • → Trace your child’s forearm and hand onto sturdy cardboard, cutting out an extended hand silhouette.
  • → Score crease lines at finger joints so fingers bend naturally inward.
  • → Glue short drinking straw segments across each finger phalanx and thread string tendons through them: pulling the string contracts the fingers to grasp lightweight objects.

Safety First

Adult supervision required when using scissors and hot glue guns.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Step 1

Trace an oversized hand and forearm on cardboard, cut out the profile, and score crease lines at all finger knuckles.

2

Step 2

Cut drinking straws into 1 cm segments and hot-glue three segments along each finger as tendon conduits.

3

Step 3

Knot strings at each fingertip, thread them through the straw conduits, and tie pull-rings at the wrist end.

4

Step 4

Slip fingers into the wrist loops, pull the string tendons, and practice grabbing lightweight objects.

What they are learning

Biomimetic musculoskeletal tendon mechanics Linear pull-to-rotational finger articulation Prosthetic biomechanical engineering