Most Popular Books by Rob Ives

Build your own incredible instruments to study space, using recycled materials and craft supplies. From spectacular telescopes to a nocturnal instrument for telling time with the stars, this book is full of engaging makerspace projects, blending science and technology with hands-on model making.

Build your own out-of-this-world space experiments inspired by real science. From an impressive orbiting orrery to a gravity-defying egg experiment, this book is full of engaging makerspace projects combining science and technology with hands-on model making.

Be your own robotics engineer and watch these clever machines come to life. But remember, you''re in charge! Learn how to create robots like the Intrepid Eggsplorer, the Tightrope Trickster, and Perfect Penbot with materials like paper clips, rubber bands, cork, and other everyday objects. Put all the pieces together, add some googly eyes, and prepare for some super-mechanized fun and games.

Bring your favorite dinosaurs to life with these exciting origami projects. Create a scary T. Rex, a mighty Diplodocus, and a spiky Stegosaurus. Step-by-step instructions guide readers through projects of varied difficulty, building visual-spatial reasoning skills and increasing the fun!

Build your very own planes and rockets! All you need are easy-to-find items and these incredible ideas. Find out how to make a glider, helicopter, a parachute, and more with objects like pencils, washers, and a plastic bag. Just put the pieces together to get up, up, and away—flying like the birds!

Make a set of traps and triggers powered by rubber bands and inspired by real-life devices. All you need are everyday items and some adult help. Choose your target and area of operation, hide your traps and triggers, and wait. Bite-sized facts explain how these traps and triggers have been used through history too!

Build your own moving models, inspired by ferocious dinosaurs from the past. From a biting T-rex automaton to a snapping Spinosaurus grabber, this book is full of engaging makerspace projects that combine science and technology with hands-on model making.

This practical guide explains the full process of designing and making your own automata with paper. Packed with advice and encouragement, it features an irresistible selection of finished examples to give you inspiration and shows you how to breathe life into mechanical characters. Its clear instruction and delightful ideas will be enjoyed by anyone armed with a pair of scissors and a creative imagination.

Landlubbers can make a splash with these easy-to-make watercraft using simple, everyday items! You''ll be surprised how you can use two soft drink cans and a rubber band to make a catamaran, a plastic bottle and baking soda to make a jet boat, and more! Get your materials together and see how these boats float and race. There''s something for all wannabe sailors.

Make brilliant land vehicles from simple everyday items and discover the engineering behind each model! You''ll see how some wooden skewers and a soft drink can come together to create an electric car, and how plastic balls, wire, and rubber bands can make a dragster. Get the gear, get in gear, and do some serious road running!

Make a battery of mini-launchers designed to fling small objects safely. All you need are everyday items and some adult help. Then take aim and launch! Make several and use them on your own medieval battlefield. Bite-sized facts explain how these small launchers have been used through history too!

Build your own model spacecraft, inspired by real life vehicles and science. From an impressive air-powered rocket ready for lift-off to a gravity-defying UFO, this book is full of engaging makerspace projects combining science and technology with hands-on model making.

Make and test drive origami machines, including a car, a van, and even a rocket. Readers are guided through projects of varied difficulty with step-by-step instructions and photographs. The crafts build visual-spatial reasoning skills while providing an outlet for creativity.

Construct an arsenal of mini-models of large launchers, based on siege weapons used throughout history. All you need are everyday items and some adult help. Wheel them out as you conduct a siege and load your catapults with raisins or marshmallows. Bite-sized facts explain how these siege weapons were used in history too!

Build your own space projects from recycled materials by following clear step-by-step instructions. From a super spacewalking astronaut to amazing aliens from distant galaxies, this book is full of engaging makerspace projects combining science and technology with hands-on model making. Each project features fun space facts about scientific concepts that inspired them.

Create handmade origami gifts for your friends and family, such as a pencil case, a gift box, or a paper flower bouquet. Step-by-step instructions and photographs guide readers through projects of varied difficulty. Crafters will increase visual-spatial reasoning skills while having fun.

Create an origami menagerie including a cute guinea pig, floppy-eared rabbit, delicate butterfly, leaping frog, and more. Projects increase in difficulty so readers can learn new visual spatial skills and build on them.

Make models of castle buildings and little knights, and plan a medieval battle scene that uses the mini-launchers from other books in this series. All you need are everyday items and some adult help. Deploy your launchers on both sides of the castle, jump to your stations, and attack. Bite-sized facts explain how these parts of a castle worked in history too!

Perfect for papercrafters of all skill levels and ages, these 12 unique models can actually move — just add a clothespin! Cut out the full-color parts and follow the simple assembly directions to build a bird that pecks, a flying pig that flaps its wings, a dog that nods its head, and a T. rex that opens its jaws. Create a bear, if you dare, and produce a moose or goose! Step-by-step instructions for putting the pieces together are accompanied by color photos. Each project features printed parts to cut and assemble as well as a list of materials such as clothespins and paper clips.

Build your own fantastic flying prehistoric reptile models. From a flying Pteranodon to a gravity-defying, hovering Thalassodromeus, this book is full of engaging makerspace projects that combine science and technology with hands-on model making.