Making Cotton Reel Motors and Obstacle Tracks

By Paula Briggs

This was a lovely workshop to engage both boys and girls. In last term’s Drawing Workshop for ages 6 to 10, we focussed on various ways of combining drawing and making, to help build a relationship and understanding between the two.

As a child I spent many happy hours making cotton reel motors with my dad (as well as frustrating hours trying to “tweak” them to work better – all part of the fun!). He of course made them as a boy too. When I asked my group who had made one before – sadly no hands went up! So high time to explore how to make them, how to make tracks for them, and how to use them as inspiration for drawing!

Cotton Reel Motors: The elements of a cotton reel motor
The elements of a cotton reel motor

 


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