[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":576},["ShallowReactive",2],{"item:\u002Fart-projects\u002Fhow-to-make-a-candle-powered-carousel":3,"platform:site":253},{"id":4,"title":5,"aiRevisedAt":6,"authors":7,"body":12,"canonical":184,"category":185,"categorySlugs":196,"cid":197,"cover":198,"description":201,"extension":202,"featured":203,"language":204,"meta":205,"navigation":206,"noindex":203,"ogImage":207,"path":208,"publishedAt":209,"recipe":184,"related":210,"revisedAt":184,"seo":240,"seoDescription":201,"seoTitle":5,"sortKey":184,"sources":241,"stem":246,"tagSlugs":247,"tags":248,"translations":249,"type":250,"url":251,"__hash__":252},"platformItems\u002Fplatform\u002Fitems\u002F11901.md","Build a Heat-Driven Carousel from a Can and Candles","2026-10-10T03:26:03.000Z",[8],{"name":9,"slug":10,"role":11},"Blake Wood","blake-wood","author",{"type":13,"value":14,"toc":169},"minimark",[15,66,76,81,84,89,92,96,99,103,106,110,113,117,120,124,127,131,134,138,141,145,148,152,155,159,162],[16,17,20],"content-callout",{"title":18,"type":19},"Materials","materials",[21,22,23,27,30,33,36,39,42,45,48,51,54,57,60,63],"ul",{},[24,25,26],"li",{},"A can that comes with a plastic lid",[24,28,29],{},"Ice pick or awl",[24,31,32],{},"Knitting needle",[24,34,35],{},"Phillips head screw, ¼ inch long",[24,37,38],{},"Toilet tissue core",[24,40,41],{},"Glue",[24,43,44],{},"Styrofoam ball",[24,46,47],{},"Paper",[24,49,50],{},"Pencil",[24,52,53],{},"Ruler",[24,55,56],{},"Craft aluminum or aluminum baking tins",[24,58,59],{},"Scissors",[24,61,62],{},"8 wooden skewers",[24,64,65],{},"Tealights",[67,68,69],"p",{},[70,71],"img",{"alt":72,"height":73,"src":74,"width":75},"Heat from tealights causes the carousel blades to spin.",1089,"\u002Ffiles\u002Fa68f86afe6608abeb14f.webp",1600,[67,77,78],{},[79,80,72],"em",{},[67,82,83],{},"If carousel blades sit on an axis that can spin without restriction, the heat rising from a candle will set them in motion. Rather than buying an intricately carved wooden carousel from a specialty shop, you can construct one yourself using a can and basic craft supplies. The warmth produced by ordinary tealight candles supplies the power. This homemade project works well as an art activity for older children.",[85,86,88],"h2",{"id":87},"step-1","Step 1",[67,90,91],{},"Take the metal top off a tin can. Choose a can that has a plastic lid, like one from baking soda or a drink mix. A can about 3 inches in diameter and at least 5 inches tall works best. Using an ice pick or awl, make a hole in the middle of the can's bottom. The hole should be a bit wider than the knitting needle's diameter.",[85,93,95],{"id":94},"step-2","Step 2",[67,97,98],{},"Make a small hole in the center of the can's plastic lid. From the underside of the lid, drive a ¼-inch Phillips screw through this hole. The screw's point will protrude from the top of the lid.",[85,100,102],{"id":101},"step-3","Step 3",[67,104,105],{},"From a cardboard toilet tissue roll, cut a straight ½-inch section. Place it centered over the screw tip on the top of the plastic lid and glue it down. Fit the lid onto the can, then flip the can so the hole you made in the bottom faces upward and the can sits on the cardboard ring.",[85,107,109],{"id":108},"step-4","Step 4",[67,111,112],{},"Push the pointed end of a straight knitting needle through the hole. Let the point rest in the middle of the cross slots on the screw head at the other end. The knitting needle needs to extend out the top.",[85,114,116],{"id":115},"step-5","Step 5",[67,118,119],{},"Slice a Styrofoam ball precisely in half. Take one half and rub its flat face on sandpaper until the cut surface is level.",[85,121,123],{"id":122},"step-6","Step 6",[67,125,126],{},"On a sheet of paper, sketch an I-shaped pattern. Begin with a 4-inch horizontal line for the base. From the middle of that line, draw a vertical line that is perpendicular to the base and also 4 inches long. At the top, draw another horizontal line 1 ½ inches long, parallel to the base, with its midpoint at the top of the vertical line. Connect the right end of the top line to the right end of the base line with a diagonal. Do the same on the left side, joining the left end of the top line to the left end of the base line. Cut out this shape to create a template for the carousel wings.",[85,128,130],{"id":129},"step-7","Step 7",[67,132,133],{},"Using the template, cut eight aluminum wings from craft aluminum sheets. Disposable aluminum baking tins can also work. The template's center line marks where each wing folds.",[85,135,137],{"id":136},"step-8","Step 8",[67,139,140],{},"Fold each wing along its fold line around a 6-inch wooden skewer. Keep 1 inch of the skewer exposed at both ends. Glue the wings in place, giving you eight fan blades for the carousel.",[85,142,144],{"id":143},"step-9","Step 9",[67,146,147],{},"Push the eight fan blades into the dome of the Styrofoam half, positioning them ¼ inch from the flat side. Insert the end of each skewer that is nearest the narrowest part of the wing. Arrange the skewers evenly around the dome, with each one directly opposite another. Rotate each fan blade so that the free side of every wing sits at the same angle and tilts slightly downward.",[85,149,151],{"id":150},"step-10","Step 10",[67,153,154],{},"Set the flat side of the dome centered on the flat end of the knitting needle that sticks out of the can. The dome and fan blades should now turn without resistance.",[85,156,158],{"id":157},"step-11","Step 11",[67,160,161],{},"Light four tealight candles and place them evenly around the can beneath the fan blades. Heat rising from the candles will push the fan blades, setting your carousel in motion. To change the carousel's speed, adjust the angle of the wings.",[16,163,166],{"title":164,"type":165},"Tip","tip",[67,167,168],{},"You can decorate the can with paper, paint, stickers, or any other embellishment you like.",{"title":170,"searchDepth":171,"depth":171,"links":172},"",2,[173,174,175,176,177,178,179,180,181,182,183],{"id":87,"depth":171,"text":88},{"id":94,"depth":171,"text":95},{"id":101,"depth":171,"text":102},{"id":108,"depth":171,"text":109},{"id":115,"depth":171,"text":116},{"id":122,"depth":171,"text":123},{"id":129,"depth":171,"text":130},{"id":136,"depth":171,"text":137},{"id":143,"depth":171,"text":144},{"id":150,"depth":171,"text":151},{"id":157,"depth":171,"text":158},null,{"slug":186,"name":187,"path":188},"art-projects","Art Projects",[189,192,195],{"slug":190,"name":191},"lifestyle","Lifestyle",{"slug":193,"name":194},"crafts","Crafts",{"slug":186,"name":187},[190,193,186],11901,{"src":74,"srcset":199,"width":75,"height":73,"alt":200},"\u002Ffiles\u002F6e89dd866a8f188cd763.webp 400w, \u002Ffiles\u002Fa2fcb6d7b7624848e45a.webp 800w, \u002Ffiles\u002Fa68f86afe6608abeb14f.webp 1600w","...","With a tin can, a knitting needle, and a few common craft items, you can assemble a carousel that rotates when heated by tealight candles. The rising warmth pushes against metal blades mounted on a freely spinning axis, so the carousel turns without any motor.","md",false,"en",{},true,"\u002Ffiles\u002F17bca6db41475d4265b7.jpg","\u002Fplatform\u002Fitems\u002F11901","2026-10-07T09:26:05.000Z",[211,219,226,234],{"url":212,"title":213,"cover":214},"\u002Fart-projects\u002Fhow-to-make-barbed-wire-balls","Constructing a Decorative Sphere from Barbed Wire",{"src":215,"srcset":216,"width":217,"height":218,"alt":200},"\u002Ffiles\u002F7a18cd43026027d23938.webp","\u002Ffiles\u002F9068a13642554e3c11a1.webp 400w, \u002Ffiles\u002F7a18cd43026027d23938.webp 800w",800,1203,{"url":220,"title":221,"cover":222},"\u002Fart-projects\u002Fhow-to-paint-with-a-paint-and-varnish-mix","Combining Varnish and Paint for a Glossier, Harder Finish",{"src":223,"srcset":224,"width":217,"height":225,"alt":200},"\u002Ffiles\u002Fb7fb7aeea4078168bd3e.webp","\u002Ffiles\u002F7d3f2bcea624c1b0b60d.webp 400w, \u002Ffiles\u002Fb7fb7aeea4078168bd3e.webp 800w",600,{"url":227,"title":228,"cover":229},"\u002Fart-projects\u002Fdiy-mid-century-inspired-paint-chip-wall-art-print","Create Retro Wall Decor Using Free Paint Swatches",{"src":230,"srcset":231,"width":217,"height":232,"alt":233},"\u002Ffiles\u002Fedb1927a06faf3be7e68.webp","\u002Ffiles\u002F44ca02beb720286458bb.webp 400w, \u002Ffiles\u002Fedb1927a06faf3be7e68.webp 800w",534,"Make your own mid-century inspired art with paint chips.",{"url":235,"title":236,"cover":237},"\u002Fart-projects\u002Fhow-to-make-a-fortune-teller-s-booth","Assembling a Mystical Fortune Teller's Stall",{"src":238,"srcset":239,"width":217,"height":218,"alt":200},"\u002Ffiles\u002F3227f70b88244f21c3ab.webp","\u002Ffiles\u002F7a9acd04cc77a94e5ff1.webp 400w, \u002Ffiles\u002F3227f70b88244f21c3ab.webp 800w",{"title":5,"description":201},[242],{"url":243,"title":244,"publisher":245},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ehow.com\u002Fhow_12015028_make-candlepowered-carousel.html","How to Make a Candle-Powered Carousel","eHow","platform\u002Fitems\u002F11901",[],[],[],"article","\u002Fart-projects\u002Fhow-to-make-a-candle-powered-carousel","_L3AJc_z93kaYy5j-ObKIn2W4EKHUcXPqsjQWfzwv40",{"id":254,"categories":255,"extension":567,"meta":568,"pageSize":569,"rootCategory":190,"site":570,"stem":573,"tags":574,"total":257,"__hash__":575},"platformSite\u002Fplatform\u002Fsite.json",{"lifestyle":256,"home":270,"cleaning":280,"home-hacks":289,"home-repair":298,"home-maintenance":309,"carpentry-remodeling":319,"diy":329,"crafts":338,"art-projects":348,"sewing":357,"fun-crafts":366,"celebrations":375,"party-ideas":397,"birthday-parties":406,"halloween":415,"christmas":424,"thanksgiving":433,"easter":441,"valentines-day":449,"fourth-of-july":457,"new-year":465,"mothers-day":473,"back-to-school":481,"weddings":489,"baby-showers":497,"gift-ideas":505,"garden":514,"cars":522,"car-repair":533,"buying-selling":542,"motorcycles":550,"travel":558},{"slug":190,"name":191,"description":184,"count":257,"url":258,"pages":259,"parent":184,"children":260,"path":268},784,"\u002Flifestyle",44,[261,262,263,193,264,265,266,267],"home","home-repair","diy","celebrations","garden","cars","travel",[269],{"slug":190,"name":191},{"slug":261,"name":271,"description":184,"count":272,"url":273,"pages":171,"parent":190,"children":274,"path":277},"Home",34,"\u002Fhome",[275,276],"cleaning","home-hacks",[278,279],{"slug":190,"name":191},{"slug":261,"name":271},{"slug":275,"name":281,"description":184,"count":282,"url":283,"pages":171,"parent":261,"children":284,"path":285},"Cleaning",32,"\u002Fcleaning",[],[286,287,288],{"slug":190,"name":191},{"slug":261,"name":271},{"slug":275,"name":281},{"slug":276,"name":290,"description":184,"count":171,"url":291,"pages":292,"parent":261,"children":293,"path":294},"Home Hacks","\u002Fhome-hacks",1,[],[295,296,297],{"slug":190,"name":191},{"slug":261,"name":271},{"slug":276,"name":290},{"slug":262,"name":299,"description":184,"count":300,"url":301,"pages":302,"parent":190,"children":303,"path":306},"Home Repair",180,"\u002Fhome-repair",10,[304,305],"home-maintenance","carpentry-remodeling",[307,308],{"slug":190,"name":191},{"slug":262,"name":299},{"slug":304,"name":310,"description":184,"count":311,"url":312,"pages":313,"parent":262,"children":314,"path":315},"Home Maintenance",52,"\u002Fhome-maintenance",3,[],[316,317,318],{"slug":190,"name":191},{"slug":262,"name":299},{"slug":304,"name":310},{"slug":305,"name":320,"description":184,"count":321,"url":322,"pages":323,"parent":262,"children":324,"path":325},"Carpentry & Remodeling",128,"\u002Fcarpentry-remodeling",8,[],[326,327,328],{"slug":190,"name":191},{"slug":262,"name":299},{"slug":305,"name":320},{"slug":263,"name":330,"description":184,"count":331,"url":332,"pages":333,"parent":190,"children":334,"path":335},"DIY",145,"\u002Fdiy",9,[],[336,337],{"slug":190,"name":191},{"slug":263,"name":330},{"slug":193,"name":194,"description":184,"count":339,"url":340,"pages":341,"parent":190,"children":342,"path":345},116,"\u002Fcrafts",7,[186,343,344],"sewing","fun-crafts",[346,347],{"slug":190,"name":191},{"slug":193,"name":194},{"slug":186,"name":187,"description":184,"count":349,"url":350,"pages":351,"parent":193,"children":352,"path":353},66,"\u002Fart-projects",4,[],[354,355,356],{"slug":190,"name":191},{"slug":193,"name":194},{"slug":186,"name":187},{"slug":343,"name":358,"description":184,"count":359,"url":360,"pages":171,"parent":193,"children":361,"path":362},"Sewing",28,"\u002Fsewing",[],[363,364,365],{"slug":190,"name":191},{"slug":193,"name":194},{"slug":343,"name":358},{"slug":344,"name":367,"description":184,"count":368,"url":369,"pages":171,"parent":193,"children":370,"path":371},"Fun Crafts",22,"\u002Ffun-crafts",[],[372,373,374],{"slug":190,"name":191},{"slug":193,"name":194},{"slug":344,"name":367},{"slug":264,"name":376,"description":184,"count":377,"url":378,"pages":323,"parent":190,"children":379,"path":394},"Celebrations",141,"\u002Fcelebrations",[380,381,382,383,384,385,386,387,388,389,390,391,392,393],"party-ideas","birthday-parties","halloween","christmas","thanksgiving","easter","valentines-day","fourth-of-july","new-year","mothers-day","back-to-school","weddings","baby-showers","gift-ideas",[395,396],{"slug":190,"name":191},{"slug":264,"name":376},{"slug":380,"name":398,"description":184,"count":399,"url":400,"pages":313,"parent":264,"children":401,"path":402},"Party Ideas",42,"\u002Fparty-ideas",[],[403,404,405],{"slug":190,"name":191},{"slug":264,"name":376},{"slug":380,"name":398},{"slug":381,"name":407,"description":184,"count":408,"url":409,"pages":171,"parent":264,"children":410,"path":411},"Birthday Parties",24,"\u002Fbirthday-parties",[],[412,413,414],{"slug":190,"name":191},{"slug":264,"name":376},{"slug":381,"name":407},{"slug":382,"name":416,"description":184,"count":417,"url":418,"pages":171,"parent":264,"children":419,"path":420},"Halloween",27,"\u002Fhalloween",[],[421,422,423],{"slug":190,"name":191},{"slug":264,"name":376},{"slug":382,"name":416},{"slug":383,"name":425,"description":184,"count":426,"url":427,"pages":171,"parent":264,"children":428,"path":429},"Christmas",20,"\u002Fchristmas",[],[430,431,432],{"slug":190,"name":191},{"slug":264,"name":376},{"slug":383,"name":425},{"slug":384,"name":434,"description":184,"count":351,"url":435,"pages":292,"parent":264,"children":436,"path":437},"Thanksgiving","\u002Fthanksgiving",[],[438,439,440],{"slug":190,"name":191},{"slug":264,"name":376},{"slug":384,"name":434},{"slug":385,"name":442,"description":184,"count":292,"url":443,"pages":292,"parent":264,"children":444,"path":445},"Easter","\u002Feaster",[],[446,447,448],{"slug":190,"name":191},{"slug":264,"name":376},{"slug":385,"name":442},{"slug":386,"name":450,"description":184,"count":313,"url":451,"pages":292,"parent":264,"children":452,"path":453},"Valentine's Day","\u002Fvalentines-day",[],[454,455,456],{"slug":190,"name":191},{"slug":264,"name":376},{"slug":386,"name":450},{"slug":387,"name":458,"description":184,"count":313,"url":459,"pages":292,"parent":264,"children":460,"path":461},"Fourth of July","\u002Ffourth-of-july",[],[462,463,464],{"slug":190,"name":191},{"slug":264,"name":376},{"slug":387,"name":458},{"slug":388,"name":466,"description":184,"count":171,"url":467,"pages":292,"parent":264,"children":468,"path":469},"New Year","\u002Fnew-year",[],[470,471,472],{"slug":190,"name":191},{"slug":264,"name":376},{"slug":388,"name":466},{"slug":389,"name":474,"description":184,"count":292,"url":475,"pages":292,"parent":264,"children":476,"path":477},"Mother's Day","\u002Fmothers-day",[],[478,479,480],{"slug":190,"name":191},{"slug":264,"name":376},{"slug":389,"name":474},{"slug":390,"name":482,"description":184,"count":171,"url":483,"pages":292,"parent":264,"children":484,"path":485},"Back to School","\u002Fback-to-school",[],[486,487,488],{"slug":190,"name":191},{"slug":264,"name":376},{"slug":390,"name":482},{"slug":391,"name":490,"description":184,"count":313,"url":491,"pages":292,"parent":264,"children":492,"path":493},"Weddings","\u002Fweddings",[],[494,495,496],{"slug":190,"name":191},{"slug":264,"name":376},{"slug":391,"name":490},{"slug":392,"name":498,"description":184,"count":351,"url":499,"pages":292,"parent":264,"children":500,"path":501},"Baby Showers","\u002Fbaby-showers",[],[502,503,504],{"slug":190,"name":191},{"slug":264,"name":376},{"slug":392,"name":498},{"slug":393,"name":506,"description":184,"count":507,"url":508,"pages":292,"parent":264,"children":509,"path":510},"Gift Ideas",5,"\u002Fgift-ideas",[],[511,512,513],{"slug":190,"name":191},{"slug":264,"name":376},{"slug":393,"name":506},{"slug":265,"name":515,"description":184,"count":516,"url":517,"pages":313,"parent":190,"children":518,"path":519},"Garden",43,"\u002Fgarden",[],[520,521],{"slug":190,"name":191},{"slug":265,"name":515},{"slug":266,"name":523,"description":184,"count":524,"url":525,"pages":292,"parent":190,"children":526,"path":530},"Cars",13,"\u002Fcars",[527,528,529],"car-repair","buying-selling","motorcycles",[531,532],{"slug":190,"name":191},{"slug":266,"name":523},{"slug":527,"name":534,"description":184,"count":535,"url":536,"pages":292,"parent":266,"children":537,"path":538},"Car Repair & Maintenance",11,"\u002Fcar-repair",[],[539,540,541],{"slug":190,"name":191},{"slug":266,"name":523},{"slug":527,"name":534},{"slug":528,"name":543,"description":184,"count":292,"url":544,"pages":292,"parent":266,"children":545,"path":546},"Buying & Selling","\u002Fbuying-selling",[],[547,548,549],{"slug":190,"name":191},{"slug":266,"name":523},{"slug":528,"name":543},{"slug":529,"name":551,"description":184,"count":292,"url":552,"pages":292,"parent":266,"children":553,"path":554},"Motorcycles","\u002Fmotorcycles",[],[555,556,557],{"slug":190,"name":191},{"slug":266,"name":523},{"slug":529,"name":551},{"slug":267,"name":559,"description":184,"count":560,"url":561,"pages":562,"parent":190,"children":563,"path":564},"Travel",108,"\u002Ftravel",6,[],[565,566],{"slug":190,"name":191},{"slug":267,"name":559},"json",{},18,{"slug":571,"name":572,"domain":572,"language":204},"yumweekly-com","yumweekly.com","platform\u002Fsite",[],"CEDh9snYCXHnvpqZ4Vq-dtgfxMojz_zPjnwhP5_qB-M",1791644829210]