BattleBots: How to build battling toothbrush bots with your kids

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 Battlebots is back on the air, 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, for instance, Maker Dad Michael Perina, who owns a small 3-D printing shop on Staten Island, and his son Keaton explain how to piece together a pair of toothbrush robots that move via vibrations to bump and battle.

All you need to assemble the tiny battling bots are a pair of flat-bristle toothbrushes, some circle stickers, a vibrating disk motor, a 3-volt coin battery, Popsicle sticks, and googly eyes. No, they won’t fare well against any of BattleBot’s professional killing machines, but they’re a blast to build.

Supplies Needed
2 flat-bristle toothbrushes
Circle stickers (or tape)
Vibrating disk motor
3-volt coin battery
Googly eyes
Popsicle sticks

Tools Needed
Hot glue gun
Axle pliers

Steps to Complete
Step 1
Cut the toothbrush bristles.

Step 2
Glue the Popsicle stick to the bristles.

Step 3
Connect 3-volt coin battery with the vibrating disk motor. Place sticker to attach one wire to one side of the battery.

Step 4
Glue googly eyes on the front.

Step 5
Glue battery onto the Popsicle stick.

Step 6
Glue the motor onto the Popsicle stick.

Step 7
Connect the wire of the motor to the battery, by placing sticker on top of the crossed wires.