Creating Motion in a DIY Seesaw Powered by Water for Kids

In this project, we explore the fascinating concept of motion using a simple yet effective DIY science experiment. Designed to be accessible for school-aged children, this project demonstrates how the power of water can be harnessed to drive a seesaw, creating a motion effect. By using basic materials and understanding fundamental principles of physics, we show how anyone can build a self-operating seesaw that runs solely on water. This project not only highlights the importance of water in scientific exploration but also serves as an engaging educational tool for young learners.

• Sunboard
• Soft water Pipe
• Plastic Bottle
• Straw
• GI wire
• Wooden Block
• Water holding Tray
• Drill Machine
• Super glue

• Cut 3 thin strips of sunboard to create the main frame of the seesaw. Roughly 1.5 X 14cm each.
• Attach them with super glue to form a U-shaped structure.

• To make the U-shape strong, small sunboard strips are attached on both ends.
• Another piece of sunboard was prepared to create the center partition of the seesaw.

• Now, to make the seesaw's pivot point, which must be free to swing yet hold the structure in the center, we have used a small piece of straw.
• We have attached the straw to the center-bottom of the seesaw.

• Now to work as an axis, a GI wire is bent and passed through the straw. This will support the structure.

• A small wooden block is made as a pedestal for the structure.
• The GI wire is placed over the wooden block, and it's legs were marked with a pen.

• Both the marks were drilled and the GI wire is inserted in them.
• This was done to fix the structure on the pedestal.

• To create the support of the water line and dowel pin was glued at the center-behind of the seesaw, on the pedestal itself.

• To guide the water pipe at the center, a small piece of sunboard was taken. A hole was made at the center and fixed horizontally onto the dowel pin.
• The alignment of the hole must be right above the center partition of the seesaw.

• Now, it was time to create the water supply.
• A submersible pump can also be used here in this step, but we choose not to use any electrical stuffs and keep the idea water supply very basic. So we used a 2 liter plastic bottle.
• Just modified the cap of the bottle. Made a hole in the center of the bottle's cap, just about the size of the soft pipe we're going to use for the water supply.
• Glued the sides to ensure there is no leakage.

• The bottle's bottom was cut, wired and prepared to hang.

• The bottle was hanged on top, just beside our seesaw.
• The project was placed in a tray to demonstrate.
• The pipe was inserted with the water guiding hole.
• Then the water was added in the bottle hanging above.
• The seesaw starts swinging.

Why and how does the seesaw swing?

When the seesaw is at rest, it is on either side. So, when the water starts poring on the seesaw, one of the side starts collecting water and gradually gets heavier, triggering it to fall. When it falls on it's side, the accumulated water falls down, meanwhile other side of the seesaw starts gaining water and gets heavy. Causing the other side to fall. This cycle continues until the bottle's water finishes off.

This DIY seesaw project offers a hands-on approach to understanding the concept of kinetic motion and the potential of water as a driving force in physics. By engaging in this activity, young learners can gain a deeper appreciation for the principles of motion, energy, and balance. Not only does this project inspire creativity and curiosity, but it also encourages the exploration of physics in a fun and interactive way. As we continue to explore the wonders of water, this project stands as a testament to the endless possibilities that arise when science and imagination come together.