Simple Weighing Scale - DIY School Project

I wanted my daughter to experience the joy of weighing things and see the wonder of the scales tilting up and down. Now-a-days we only see those electronic scales with numbers on the display and it's no fun. So, I took up this task of creating a simple balance for my little angel.

Things we used for this little project -

1. Two circular cardboard pieces (Same size)
2. Coloured craft paper
3. Glue
4. Ruler / measuring scale
5. Pencil
6. A Pair of scissors
7. Craft thread

Let's start by wrapping the two circular cardboard pieces by coloured paper. You can paint them as well, if you don't want to wrap a paper. The diameter of the circles is 17.5cm. Measurements are upto you but the scales need to be of the same size.

Take a rough paper and measure and cut a circle of the same size. We need to make a hexagon to mark the holes for the threads. For that draw 9cm lines as shown in the pic above. I have drawn an equilateral triangle for refrence below to show that the strings will be tied at an equal distance from each other.

 Cut the holes and put this paper on top of the cardboard circles and mark the point on it with the help of a marker pen/ sketch pen.

Make holes on the marked spot using the scissors or a screw driver.

Now let's make a paper stick using an A4 size craft paper. Just roll the paper and stick the edge. Follow this link to know how to make a paper stick - paper-stick.html

Here I have made a 30.5 cms long paper stick.

Cut 50cms of the craft thread. We need 6 such pieces, three for each scale.

Tie three stings together on one side of the paper stick and three on the other side, like this -

Mark the center of the stick.

Now take the strings separately and insert into the holes on the scales and tie a knot.

Tie a string in the center of the paper stick. Pull the string to check whether the scales are at the same level and the stick is horizontal. Secure the strings in place with glue. I have used the hot glue gun for this purpose and also some craft wire.

Make some dummy weights using cardboard or some pebbles. Or simple use small button cells.

And the Simple balance is ready to be experimented with!

The kids will definitely enjoy comparing weights with this one!

Here you go - weighing 100gms each :) enjoy yours too!