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This project will require copper wire (anything from 24 to 28 gauge will do), a magnet, electrical tape, a D battery, and two paper clips. Place them all on the table in front of you so you have easy access as you go about assembling the motor. You will also need wire strippers or a blade if your wire is insulated. You can purchase all of these things at your local hardware store or at most large retail stores. Take the D battery or any other cylindrical object and wrap your wire around it at least 7 to 10 times with 2 inches (5.1cm) of wire sticking out from each end. This will create a coil that will ultimately make up the majority of the motor. Keep the coil tight as you wrap the wire around the battery. Make sure to leave plenty of slack on either end of the coil as you wrap it. Pull the battery (or whatever cylinder you used) out from the top or bottom of the loop you created with the wire and set it aside. You should be left with just a coil. Be careful not to let the wire unravel as you handle the coil. If the battery or cylinder is stuck, loosen the coil wrapped around it a bit to slide it out. Take one end of the wire and pull it through the coil so it wraps around the wire and helps to hold the shape of the coil. Then repeat the process with the other end of the wire on the opposite side of the loop of the coil. You may want to wrap each end around the wire 2 or 3 times. Make sure to leave at least 2 inches (5.1cm) of wire extending out of each end of the coil. Press the end of the wire through the coil one more time, then run the wire through the loop that creates to secure it like a knot around the coil. Then repeat the process on the opposite side of the coil using the other end of the wire. Once finished, the coil should look like a wire circle with the two ends extending out from opposing sides. These knots aren't required for the function of the motor, but will help ensure the coil doesn't unravel when you're not holding it. If the loop of the coil isn't holding its shape well, take a small piece of tape and wrap it around the wire on the top or bottom, where the wire ends aren't extending out from. Use the same size piece of tape on the other side of the coil to keep it balanced. You don't need much electric tape. A piece only about .5 inches (1.3cm) long will be fine. If the coil holds the shape of a circle without the tape, you can skip this step.
Gather all of your materials. Roll wire around a cylindrical object like a battery to make a coil. Loosen the coil (if necessary) and remove the battery. Wrap each end of the wire around the coil several times. Tie a knot around the coil with each loose end of wire. Add electrical tape to opposite ends of the coil if it seems loose.