Make a Mini Catapult

Catapults are ancient weapons created to throw projectiles further than a person could by themselves. These weapons work like levers with the base acting as the fulcrum for the arm to pivot off of. You can make a small version of a catapult using many common household items. This is a fun science and engineering project for kids of all ages to understand simple machines.

Steps

Building a Catapult from Popsicle Sticks

  1. Gather the items needed to build your catapult. Making a popsicle stick catapult requires a few supplies.
    • 7 popsicle sticks
    • Rubber bands
    • A bottle cap from a gallon jug (milk jug)
    • Hot glue gun
    • Small objects to launch like cotton balls or marshmallows
  2. Create the base of the catapult. Stack 5 popsicle sticks on top of each other making sure they are neatly stacked. Use a rubber band on each end to secure the sticks on both ends of the stacks.
  3. Make the arm. Use the remaining two popsicle sticks to make the arm. Stack the two sticks on top of each other and secure them on one end with a rubber band. Make sure the rubber band is wrapped at the very end of the sticks.[1]
  4. Connect the arm to the base. Pull the ends of the sticks that is not held together by the rubber band apart and insert the 5 stick base perpendicular in between them.
    • Slide the five sticks between the two that are held together with the rubber until they are about one half inch away from the rubber band holding the sticks of the arm together.
    • The base becomes the pivot point for the catapult arm.
    • The two sticks will be separated in a "V" shape. Choose one stick to be the arm of the catapult and the other will rest on the ground with the five stick stack as stable base.
  5. Secure the arm to the base with another rubber band. Wrap a rubberband around the arm and base.
  6. Glue the bottle cap on. Use the hot glue gun to attach the bottle cap to the arm of the catapult. Glue the cap to the end of the popsicle stick as a basket to hold your projectile.
  7. Try out your catapult. Place a projectile in the bottle cap to be launched. Gently pull back the arm of the catapult while holding the base for stabilization. Let go of the arm and the projectile will launch into the air.
    • Angle the catapult to shoot in different directions.

Making a Handheld Plastic Spoon Catapult

  1. Collect your supplies. To make a handheld catapult using a plastic spoon, you need to gather a few supplies.[2]
    • Plastic spoon
    • Old fashioned clothes pin (clothes pin with a round top)
    • Electrical tape
    • Glue gun
  2. Glue the spoon to the clothespin. Squeeze hot glue into the clothespin in between the two prongs of the clothespin. Insert the handle end of the spoon in between the two prongs and into the glue. Hold firmly for 30 seconds for the glue to set.
  3. Tape the clothespin. Wrap electrical tape around the outside of the clothespin where the spoon attaches. This will give the catapult some extra support.
  4. Use your catapult. Use small items like marshmallows or pom poms to launch with your catapult. Hold your catapult with the clothespin side down and the spoon end up. Put the projectile in the spoon, gently bend it back, and launch.[3]
    • Try setting up a bucket or target to aim at.

Building a Tabletop Spoon Catapult

  1. Collect your supplies to build your catapult. Gather the items you need before you try to construct your catapult.
    • A styrofoam or paper bowl.
    • Popsicle Sticks
    • Plastic Spoon
    • Marshmallows
    • Tape
    • Scissors
  2. Insert a popsicle stick through the sides of the bowl. Cut a small slit on opposite sides of the bowl. Slide a popsicle stick all the way through the bowl. The popsicle stick will help anchor the arm of your catapult and provide leverage.
  3. Cut a small slit in the bottom of your bowl. Turn the bowl upside down and cut a small slit in the bottom of the bowl. Cut the slit about one inch to the side of the popsicle stick that is running through the bowl.
  4. Slide a popsicle stick through the slit in the bottom of the bowl. Angle the stick so that the end that is inside bowl goes under the stick that runs through the bowl.
  5. Tape the popsicle sticks to the bowl. Reinforce the cuts you made in the bowl with tape. Secure the popsicle sticks to the bowl with the tape.
  6. Create a throwing arm for your catapult. Tape a plastic spoon to the end of the popsicle stick coming out of the bottom of the bowl.
  7. Launch a marshmallow. Place a marshmallow in the end of the spoon. Hold the bowl down on the table. Pull the popsicle stick back and let it snap forward. Watch your marshmallow fly!

Tips

  • Double up your rubber bands for a more secure catapult.
  • Try using different projectiles to see which will launch the farthest. Some types of projectiles to try include mini marshmallows, pom poms, cotton balls, balls of paper, or dry beans.
  • Decorate your catapult by painting it or adding stickers to make it unique.
  • Set up a target to shoot at or to turn catapulting into a fun game.
  • Experiment with different sized craft sticks to make larger more powerful catapults.

Warnings

  • If a mini catapult is pulled back too hard, it might break resulting in splintered wood or sharp plastic shards, so use caution when launching your catapult.
  • Using a hot glue gun and a sharp knife should only be done by a responsible adult. These can cause injury if used irresponsibly.
  • Do not use a catapult to shoot hard things at people or animals. This can result in injury.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/28871/catapult-for-kids-to-make
  2. ↑ http://www.housingaforest.com/catapult-fun/
  3. ↑ http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/55055/15-easy-catapults-to-make

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