Doodling Shake Bot DIY STEM Kit | xUmp.com Creative Robotics + Drawing Kit

Build your own doodling robot with the Doodling Shake Bot DIY STEM Kit — a fun, hands-on project that lets students draw wild, swirling artworks while learning about vibration, motor mechanics and circuits. With a compact size of 5 in (12.7 cm) tall and 4 in (10 cm) diameter, this kit is ideal for classroom experiments, science clubs and creative craft time.

No soldering required — simply assemble the motor, switch and marker-pen legs, insert one AA battery and watch the bot jiggle across paper, leaving fascinating patterns as it surprises and delights. Perfect for kids age 8+ (typically 14+ listed), it teaches fine-motor skills, circuit basics and engineering design in one tidy package.

Features & Specifications

• Includes all parts needed to build one shake bot + small Phillips screwdriver
• Three assorted color marker pens included
• Assembled bot size: approx 5 in tall × 4 in diameter (12.7 cm × 10 cm)
• Typical assembly time: approx 1 hour (great for one lesson)
• Powered by one AA (1.5 V) battery (not included)
• Age recommendation: 8+ (Grade ~3+)
• Packaged in a poly bag with downloadable full-color PDF instructions
• Great for classroom groups, science fair projects, hobby STEM labs

How It Works

This shake bot kit uses a small DC motor that, when powered by an AA battery, vibrates an off-balance weight. The vibration causes the legs (holding marker pens) to move erratically, translating the motor’s energy into jittery horizontal motion across a sheet of paper. The shifting marker legs leave drawn lines as the robot moves, creating swirling art while demonstrating fundamental mechanics: motor loops, vibrations, center of mass, and basic circuit connections.

What Students Will Learn

• How an electric motor converts electrical energy into mechanical motion
• The principle of vibration and resonance in mechanical systems
• How the center of mass and offset weights affect movement speed and pattern
• Basics of circuit building: switch, battery, motor and wiring
• Fine motor skills, patience and problem-solving when assembling parts
• Artistic expression via engineering — combining robotics with creativity

Perfect For

• Elementary and middle school STEM classes
• After-school science clubs and maker spaces
• Summer camps and hobby STEM sessions
• Science fair projects: explore how different papers, weights or marker positions change the doodle outcomeHoliday gift ideas for creative engineering kids

Science Fair / Classroom Project Ideas

• Experiment A: Use different paper textures (glossy, matte, newsprint) and compare drawing patterns.
• Experiment B: Modify the weight offset on the motor (add small washer) and measure speed or pattern variation.
• Experiment C: Use different marker leg lengths or pen colors — record how movement changes.
• Experiment D: Run a timed competition: which bot produces the most complex pattern in 60 seconds?
• Experiment E: Combine two bots on one sheet of paper; observe interaction and patterns.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can it work on any surface?
A: For best results, use a large sheet of paper on a flat, low-friction surface. Carpet or heavy texture may slow movement.

Q: Do we need tools or soldering?
A: No soldering required. A small Phillips-head screwdriver is included for assembly.

Q: Is the battery included?
A: No. The kit is powered by one AA (1.5 V) battery which is not included.

Q: What age range is suitable?
A: While labeled 14+, the kit is ideal for ages 8+ with adult supervision for younger builders, especially during screw assembly.

Q: Can this be adapted for a science fair experiment?
A: Yes — students can explore vibration frequency, weight distribution, pattern complexity and surface effects using this kit.

Customer Reviews

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  Adorable Little Robot
Sherry from Alabama, USA
I purchased these for the first time for our STEM camp over the summer. The students loved them even before getting them assembled. Most of the robots ended up with names! The instructions were easy to follow, too. The only issue was that the screws and wires are too small for younger children to assemble. More assistance was needed from the adults than was intended. Overall, the activity was a hit!


  Very good product
Jamie from Ovid NY



  Engineering class
Sandra from Ca
We used these for our kids stem class. The kids loved it


  These were fabulous for our family science camp
Vickie A from USA, Utah, Pleasant Grove
We had kids ranging in age from 9 to 12 and they loved these little robots. The pens worked very well to draw a design, and the robots were pretty easy to assemble. It was nice that each kit came with a small screwdriver that fit the tiny screws. Such a great value and the kids were proud to build their own robot.


  Fun to build & play with
Grandma from Northfield, MN
Grandson, 13, had lots of fun assembling & making artworks with the Doodling Shake Bot. Using our own small philips screwdriver with magnified head made working with the teeny, tiny screws MUCH easier, and we replaced a couple of the rubber bands that broke.


  Awesome and fun
R.R. from Mount Shasta, CA
Thank you for creating this. Used it in a classroom setting with 4th graders. Big hit.


   Cecilia from Montgomery, Alabama
We used the bots for a workshop on circuit loops and building. Students ranged from 7 - 10 years old and they didn't care about the drawing. They were just excited to see it move.


  Great for a birthday party
Jamie from Tennessee
Got these for my 6 year old’s birthday party. I put together most of it beforehand, so it wasn’t too complicated for the kids, and didn’t take too long. The kids loved making the robots and seeing them in action. I did receive some that had some kind of oil or something on them, and a few bent pieces, but I just cleaned them off and reshaped them, and they worked for what we needed!


  Wonderful
Christina from Illinois
This was a perfect project for my GS Troop of girls K-4th. I did some pre-fab with adding the legs before the meeting but the girls did most of the other steps on their own. They were excited with the end result.


  Gril scouts
Annie from Indiana
With a little parent help, these were great for the robotics badge our Brownie Girl Scouts needed to earn. Directions were clear and the end result was fun for the girls!


  Great for Science Club!
Robyn from Frankfort, IL
I did this with my Science Club, grades 3-6. They loved it!! I did do some prebuilding of the project because I knew some parts would be difficult (particularly screwing in the legs) and time consuming.


  A good Friendly Bot
Tim Shimeall from USA, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh
If you are looking for a simple circuit to build that will appeal well to children, this is a good option. The kit comes complete, except needing one AA battery and either some scissors or an exacto knife. It takes a very minutes to build and children over 10 could do so with minimal supervision. It does offer some chance to explain some electronics, and also some structure engineering. The final result makes some patterns on paper that are interesting.


  Great product… packaging was fantastic!
Misty from Pennsylvania
I utilized this product with my Girl Scout troop. The product comes packaged so nicely for easy distribution. Great product and excellent customer service!