The Badge Archive

Fulfills Step 5 of GSUSA Brownie Automotive Design badge requirements.

See Paper Vehicle Design for the activity that fulfills Steps 4 and 5.

Items Needed:

• Cardstock or thick paper (for durability)
• Scissors
• Tape or glue
• Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
• Scrap paper for planning
• Optional: Paper templates for vehicle parts (wheels, doors, windows)

---

Instructions (Estimated Total Time: 20–25 minutes):

1. Step 1: Plan & Sketch (5–6 minutes)
   • Scouts sketch their vehicle’s basic shape on scrap paper before cutting anything.
   • They decide on key parts like wheels, windows, and any special features.
2. Step 2: Build the Base Shape (8–10 minutes)
   • Fold or cut cardstock to create the main body of the vehicle.
   • If needed, scouts roll paper tubes or fold strips to create edges and structure.
3. Step 3: Add Details & Secure Parts (7–9 minutes)
   • Cut out additional pieces (wheels, doors, headlights) and attach them using tape or glue.
   • Scouts decorate their model with colors, patterns, or special designs.

Bonus Challenge:

• Try making a moving vehicle with paper wheels attached to straws or axles.
• Design a pop-up or foldable version for easy transport.
• Create a specialized vehicle with unique features like wings or an extended cargo space.

Tips for First-Time Paper Modelers:

• Keep folds crisp – Folding instead of cutting makes models stronger.
• Layer pieces – Stack paper for thickness in important areas.
• Use tabs for gluing – Adding small tabs helps pieces stay attached.
• Be creative! – Experiment with different paper shapes to build features.

Templates

Here are some printable paper car templates that scouts can use to know how to build their models:

• Printable Paper Cars – A collection of 12 free PDF templates for different vehicle designs.
• Paper Car Templates – Includes simple and detailed car models for easy assembly.
• Papercraft Car Models – Various cut-and-fold designs for different types of vehicles.