Catapults

In the mood for fun play? Do you want to attack your friends with pom-pom balls? Try out making Catapults! Learn how to make simple projectiles. All you need are popsicle sticks, rubber bands, and a mischievous spirit. Just remember to clean up all the balls after you’re done!

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Supplies:

• Popsicle Sticks 

• Rubber Bands 

• Spoons or Caps 

• Hot Glue gun (if needed)

• Pom-pom Balls, Ping Pong Balls, or other small projectiles

Directions:

Step 1: Wrap two rubber bands around the end of 2 popsicle sticks.

Step 2: Stick another popsicle stick between, perpendicular (like a cross “+”). Push the popsicle stick towards the rubber band to separate out the 2 popsicle sticks. The popsicle sticks should make a “<” shape.

Step 3: Take a 4th popsicle stick, and put it at the bottom, parallel (like “=”) to the middle one. Use rubber bands to connect the two sticks together.

Step 4: With two more rubber bands, make an “x” shape to connect all of the popsicles where they all intersect. This will keep everything in place.

Step 5: Connect a spoon or bottle cap to the top popsicle stick.

Step 6: Pull back and fling small objects such as pom-pom balls! See how far they go!

Learning Benefits

Makers can make Catapults and discover how they work. This is a fun activity where kids make a toy that they get to keep! Kids will use their hands to build, and they will feel how the rubber bands create tension that gets released. They will learn and discover the fundamentals of projectiles.

Kids can work with friends, or against friends, for teamwork and competition.

Maker Fun Fact!

Catapults work by storing tension and releasing. They can often launch objects 500 to 1,000 feet.  Learn more!