Build Your Own Well
Build a small model well using cardboard, sticks, string, and a cup to lift water safely, learning about pulleys and simple machines.
About this activity
Build a small model well using cardboard, sticks, string, and a cup to lift water safely, learning about pulleys and simple machines.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Gather all the materials and set them on a flat workspace.
- 2
Step 2
Ask an adult to fill the bowl with water and place it next to your workspace.
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Step 3
Cut a square about 15 cm by 15 cm from the cardboard to make the base.
- 4
Step 4
Tape the empty toilet paper roll upright in the center of the cardboard base to make the well wall.
- 5
Step 5
Glue two popsicle sticks upright on opposite sides of the roll to act as posts.
- 6
Step 6
Let the glue dry completely before you move to the next step.
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Step 7
Lay the pencil across the tops of the two popsicle stick posts so it can act as an axle.
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Step 8
Tape each end of the pencil to the posts so it stays in place when you turn it.
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Step 9
Use the scissors to make a small hole near the rim of the plastic cup.
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Step 10
Thread one end of the string through the hole and tie a secure knot so the cup hangs by the string.
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Step 11
Tie the other end of the string to the middle of the pencil so the cup hangs down and can be wound up.
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Step 12
Lower the cup into the bowl of water by letting the string unwind from the pencil.
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Step 13
Turn the pencil to wind the string and lift the cup full of water to the top of your well.
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Step 14
Share your finished well and a photo of your build on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do I build a small model well with a pulley to lift water safely?
Start by making a stable base from cardboard. Create the well tower from a paper towel tube or rolled cardboard and attach a crossbar (a wooden skewer or dowel) across the top. Fix a small spool or bottle cap to the crossbar as a pulley, loop string around it, and tie a lightweight plastic cup to the end. Place the well beside a shallow tray of water, lower the cup to fill, then wind the string to lift. Always test over the tray to avoid spills and have an adult help with cutting and drilling.
What materials do I need to build a model well with cardboard, sticks, string, and a cup?
You’ll need sturdy cardboard or a cereal box for the base, a paper towel tube or rolled cardboard for the well, popsicle sticks or thin dowels for supports and axle, a small spool or bottle cap to act as a pulley, strong string, a small plastic or paper cup, tape and glue, scissors and a craft knife (adult use), and a shallow tray for water. Optional: paint, markers, and a small crank handle for added fun.
What ages is the build-your-own-well activity suitable for?
This activity suits children about 6–12 years old working with some adult guidance. Ages 3–5 can participate by decorating, holding pieces, or testing the cup while an adult does cutting and assembly. Older kids (10+) can design stronger axles, experiment with pulley sizes, and measure lifting differences. Always supervise when using scissors, craft knives, or water, and adapt complexity to match the child’s fine motor skills and attention span.
What safety tips and learning benefits come with a model well project?
Safety: keep cutting tools and hot glue away from young children, use shallow trays to contain spills, dry surfaces quickly to prevent slipping, and avoid tiny parts for under‑3s. Benefits: this hands‑on build teaches pulleys, simple machines, problem solving, and fine motor skills. Variations include adding a crank, using multiple pulleys to see mechanical advantage, or turning it into a storytelling prop—each change deepens STEM learning and creativity.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can I use instead of an empty toilet paper roll or popsicle sticks if I don't have them?
If you don't have an empty toilet paper roll or popsicle sticks, trim a paper-towel tube or roll up cardboard for the well wall and substitute wooden skewers or craft sticks taped upright as the posts used in the step 'Glue two popsicle sticks upright'.
My pencil axle won't turn or the cup won't lift—what might be wrong and how do I fix it?
If the pencil axle won't turn or the cup slips when you 'Turn the pencil to wind the string', check that the popsicle-posts were allowed to 'Let the glue dry completely', loosen the tape on the pencil ends so it can rotate, and retie the string knot near the cup hole for a secure hold.
How can I adapt this well build for different ages or skill levels?
For younger children have an adult follow 'Ask an adult to fill the bowl with water' and pre-cut the 15 cm x 15 cm cardboard and make the cup hole, while older kids can replace the pencil axle with a wooden dowel and add a crank or winch from extra popsicle sticks for a more advanced winding mechanism.
How can we extend or personalize the well after we've built and tested it?
Personalize and improve your finished well by decorating and waterproofing the cardboard and toilet paper roll with paint or tape, adding a popsicle-stick roof above the posts, and marking the string with tape to measure how much water the cup lifts from the bowl.