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Water wheels are an environmentally safe way to extract energy from water. This method has been around for centuries and is 1 of the original sources of energy.



  1. 1
    Cut a long slice off of 1 side of the cardboard, or foam board, or wood that is 2 inches (5.08 cm) wide and 15 inches (38.1 cm) big long cut using the box cutters.
  2. 2
    Divide this slice into 10 1 1/2 inch (3.81 cm) sections using the box cutters. These sections will create your paddles once glued onto both sides of the water wheel itself.
  3. 3
    Mark a 6 inch (15.24 cm) diameter circle on the cardboard, or foam board, using a protractor. The protractor will not only help you make an even circle, but will also mark the center of the circle for you. The center is where axle, or beam, will be placed in order to connect the 2 sides of the water wheel and allow the wheel to spin.
  4. 4
    Outline the water wheel's stand by tracing an "A" shape on the cardboard or foam board using a pen or a pencil. The "A" should be 4 inches (10.16 cm) tall by 4 inches (10.16 cm) wide. At the very top middle point of the "A" shape, mark a small "v" shape; this will be the inlet that the axle is placed in. Outline an extra 2 � 2 1/2 inch (6.35 cm) long x 3/4 inch (1.905 cm) wide rectangles for the water wheel stand support.
  5. 5
    Cut along your outlines that you created for the wheel sides as well as the water wheel stand and its supports.
  6. 6
    Lay one of the circular sides of the wheel on the ground.
  7. 7
    Measure and mark where your paddles will go on the water wheel's side using the protractor, setting each paddle at a 40 degree angle from the next paddle. Make sure each paddle is positioned at a diagonal towards the center of the water wheel. Use the image of spokes on a bike to help with this positioning.
  8. 8
    Pin or glue the 1 1/2 inch (3.81 cm) side of each paddle to the side of the water wheel along each marking you have just created.
  9. 9
    Attach the other side of the water wheel to the paddles that you have just attached to the first side of the wheel.
  10. 10
    Push a wooden skewer through the center marking of the wheels. Make sure it goes through both sides and sticks out of each side equally. Set the wheel aside.
  11. 11
    Pin or glue together the "A" shaped water wheel support system. Do so by attaching the rectangular support beams to the left side of one of the "A" shapes, directly under the horizontal line across the middle of the shape. Do the same for the second support beam on the right hand side. Pin or glue the opposite "A" shape to the support beams that you have just attached to the first "A" shape to complete the support system.
  12. 12
    Place the water wheel on its stand, using the wooden skewer as its axle. Place the axle in the "v" shaped grooves at the top of each "A" shape. This will allow your water wheel to spin.
  13. 13
    Test your water wheel by placing it under a very gentle stream of running water to ensure it spins correctly.
  14. 14
    Test how much weight your water wheel can lift by attaching 1 end of a string to the handle of your miniature bucket and the other end to the axle of the water wheel. Place a small amount of water in the miniature bucket and see how much water it takes to run over the water wheel in order to spin and lift the miniature bucket of water.


  • To make a miniature bucket, use the small piece of an egg carton that holds an egg. Make 2 holes in the top sides and slide a small piece of string through to create a handle.
  • If using hot glue, make sure your water wheel is completely dry before testing it with water.
  • If you want a more durable and long lasting water wheel, use a foam board and hot glue gun; both are waterproof.


  • Some of these materials can be harmful (such as the box cutters, wooden skewer and hot glue gun) so use caution when using them and be sure to not leave children unattended with these materials if this is for a child's project.

Things You'll Need

  • 15 x 20 inch (38.1 x 50.8 cm) corrugated cardboard or foam board
  • Box cutters
  • Protractor
  • Pen or pencil
  • Ruler
  • Pins or a hot glue gun
  • Wooden skewer
  • Miniature bucket
  • String

Article Info

Categories: Pages Needing Attention | Outdoor Water Features

In other languages:

Español: construir una rueda hidráulica, Русский: сделать водяное колесо, Português: Construir uma Roda de Água em Miniatura

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