How to Make A Working Gumball Machine
Have your kids ever demanded that they do not want to eat their gumballs from the packet but gumball machine because it is fun? Or, perhaps you want to surprise your kid with a gumball machine, which is enough way you can stop them from eating all the gumball in one go. Whatever is the reason, if you are up for a DIY gumball machine with available materials at home, follow us on how to make a working gumball machine tutorial.
What is a Gumball Machine?
Before you can learn how to make the thing, you need to have a good idea of a gumball machine. Maybe the one you are going to make for has heard about it, but you never have. So, without knowing what it is and how it works, it will be quite difficult for you to undertake the mission. A gumball machine is a device used to release small gumballs. It usually consists of a glass jar or plastic casing, with a metal crank on the side. The metal crank is used to turn a wheel inside the machine that dispenses the gumballs one at a time.
A gumball machine is a like vending machine made for gumballs. Usually, they will work with coins, which means you need to put some coin in it to get your gumballs. They are a fun thing for kids. But a lot of people will not be able to get one of the gumball machines on their hand, but the good thing is that there are ways you can make it. First, you need to get a gumball machine. You can buy it from your local store or even online. If you are going to buy it online, make sure that you find a good place to buy it.
How Does Gumball Machine Works?
To learn how to make a working gumball machine, you need to understand how the machine works. We will show you the way, but if you know how things go, then you can add your twist to it. The basic mechanism of a gumball machine is pretty simple. It consists of a handle, a coin slot, a dispensing wheel, and a gumball storage compartment. When you insert a coin into the machine, it falls into the storage compartment.
As we said earlier, some gumball machine will require coins to get a gumball out. So, when you put the coin inside the machine through the hole for coins, there will be a switch that will allow one gumball to drop. This way, you will be able to get your gumball out.
DIY: How to Make a Working Gumball Machine
Before we can move on to detailing the steps, we will like to give you a brief idea of how we are going to set the plan. We will be using the financial planning software namely Quicken by Intuit.
As you know, the gumball machine will require a container for the gumball to keep and a passageway for the gumballs to drop from. We are not going to include the coin option, so basically, there is going to be a switch-like thing that will allow the gumball to fall when pressed. For the container, we are going to use an upside-down plastic cup. For the passageway, we are going to cut a hole in the bottom of the cup and cover it with cellophane or saran wrap.
We mentioned earlier that the project is going to be made with materials that are easily found. So, let’s see what we require for the project to be completed.
Materials You Need
- Plastic or glass container with a round opening
- Cardboard cup
- Cardboard
- Popsicle sticks
- Foam
- paint
- Marker
- Glue
- Scissor or craft knife
Steps to follow
Now that you have all the necessary things you are going to use for your project, you can begin with how to make a working gumball machine. Let’s get started!
Step 1
The first thing you are going to do is measure the jar and the cup together. You need to make sure the jar’s opening will be able to fit on the cup properly.
Step 2
Take a popsicle stick and measure it to the length that will be able to fit inside the cup. After measuring, cut the stick accordingly.
Step 3
Now, take some foam and cut it to the width of the popsicle sticks. Start attaching them to both of the ends of the sticks using glue.
Step 4
With glue on the foam, attach the popsicle stick inside the cup close to the border.
Step 5
Now, right beside the popsicle stick, draw a circle inside the cup. With a scissor or craft night, slowly make a clean hole of the circle.
Step 6
From the opposite side of the circle hole, mark a line close to the border. Cut the portion of the line to make an entrance.
Step 7
Take the other half of the popsicle stick or a new one and put it through the line hole that you just created. The popsicle stick should go through under the other one that you set earlier inside the cup. Now, put one end of the string through this line hole and tie a knot at the end.
Step 8
Make another circle right below the newly placed popsicle stick. This circle should be on the outer side of the cup. Cut a hole according to the circle.
Step 9
Take the cardboard and trace the opening of the cup onto it. Cut the circular opening of the cardboard. Place it inside the first cup in a 45-degree angle from the hole at the side and stick it tightly with glue.
Step 10
Take the cup and trace a circle of the opening on the foam and attach it to the cup using glue. Now, you have successfully sealed the entrance.
Step 11
You can now paint the cup and everything else with your paint to make it look good.
Step 12
Now, take the jar and put your gumballs on it. Stick the jar’s opening on the cup.
You are done learning how to make a working gumball machine! To check the machine, you need to pull the popsicle stick, and you will see that one gumball will come through the hole.
You can now use it as a praising technique for your child or student. When they do something right, you can allow them to take on gumball from the machine. You can even present this DIY gumball machine as a gift to someone. This is a great thing you can also keep as a decoration at your home. Sometimes, you can use to have a gumball, or you can offer your guest to have some.
Adorable Candy Gumball Machine Ideas
- Make a classic gumball machine out of an old apothecary jar. Cut a hole in the top and decorate it with candy buttons and colorful paper streamers!
- Transform a miniature suitcase into a pocket-sized gumball machine by lining it with fabric or wrapping paper and cutting a small circle in the top to dispense gumballs.
- Turn an old mason jar into a mini gumball machine by decorating it with paint and tiny embellishments like beads, glitter, and sequins!
- Design your own gumball machine with wood scraps, dowels, glue sticks — whatever supplies you have handy! Then load it up with colorful vintage candy for extra flair.
- Customize an inexpensive desktop dispenser for a modern look – just add some decoupage to give it personality and high-end style!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does a Gumball Machine Work?
A gumball machine is a vending machine that dispenses small, round hard candies called “gumballs” to customers.
There are many different variations of the gumball machine that can be found in any grocery store or convenience store. The most common types of gumball machines are coin-operated and provide a mechanism for depositing coins into the machine.
In some cases, the customer may also receive a token with each purchase which is redeemed for additional candy at the redemption counter located near the entrance of the store. Other types of machines include those that use credit cards or tokens purchased from another source, such as an arcade game.
Can You Make a Gumball Machine Out of Household Items?
You can make a gumball machine out of household items.
A gumball machine is an apparatus for dispensing small round hard candy, usually in the form of brightly colored gumballs, from a rotating drum.
To make your own, you will need:
1. A wire clothes hanger with a hook at one end and a loop at the other (a broomstick will also work)
2. Toothpicks or chopsticks to use as rollers
3. A piece of paper or cardstock to use as a spool
Can You Make a Gumball Machine Out of Cardboard?
Yes, you can make a gumball machine out of cardboard. You will need some glue, paper clips, wire cutters, and scissors to do this. You will also need a small cup or bowl to hold the gumballs not to fall out when you turn the crank.
Can You Make a Candy Machine Out of Wood?
It is possible to make a candy machine out of wood, but it would not be very practical. The main problem with this type of machine is that it will take up too much space and require constant cleaning.
There are many other problems that you might run into if you try to make a candy machine out of wood, like:
• The flavor may become inconsistent as the sugar gets pushed through the system, especially when there are multiple flavors in one machine.
• It will be difficult to clean because the sugar can stick and get stuck on everything, which makes it harder for your family members or friends to use.
• There is also a possibility that it could break down due to its complexity and construction.
Final Thoughts
There you have the tutorial on how to make a working gumball machine. You can use it for various purposes when you are playing around kids, or you can even decorate your house with it. It is also great accessories to keep all your gumballs together. We hope that our tutorial will help all of you who are excited to make their DIY gumball machine and surprise everyone around.
