Crafty Fun: Let’s Build a Popsicle Stick Catapult!
Krystal Winn 
Grab your popsicle sticks and rubber bands and let the fun begin!
Crafty Fun: How to Build a Popsicle Stick Catapult!
From popsicle sticks and paper towel rolls to glitter and glue, adding simple craft projects to your homeschool routine is a fun way to learn together as a family. Keep reading for step-by-step instructions on how to create a popsicle stick catapult!
Catapults have been used for centuries as devices to launch projectiles over long distances. Building a popsicle stick catapult is a fun and educational project that can be done with simple materials. Follow these detailed instructions to create your own popsicle stick catapult.
Materials Needed:
- Popsicle sticks (approximately 20)
- Rubber bands
- Plastic spoon
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Small object to launch (e.g., cotton ball, small ball of paper)
Step 1: Gathering Materials
Ensure you have all the required materials listed above before starting the project. Organize your workspace to make it easier to assemble the catapult.
Step 2: Base Construction
- Take four popsicle sticks and lay them flat on your work surface, forming a square.
- Use hot glue to secure the corners where the popsicle sticks meet. This will be the base of your catapult.
Step 3: Building the Arm
- Take two popsicle sticks and glue them together end to end to create a longer stick.
- Repeat this process with two more popsicle sticks.
- Attach the two longer sticks together at one end to form an "X" shape. Use hot glue to secure them in place.
- This "X" shape will be the arm of your catapult.
Step 4: Attaching the Arm
- Place the arm on top of the base, positioning it so that the center of the "X" is directly above the center of the base.
- Use rubber bands to secure the arm to the base. Wrap the rubber bands around the ends of the arm and the corners of the base to hold them together tightly.
Step 5: Adding the Spoon
- Take the plastic spoon and hot glue it to the end of the arm opposite the base. Ensure the concave side of the spoon is facing upwards.
- Make sure the spoon is securely attached to the arm, as it will hold the projectile.
Step 6: Testing and Adjusting
- Place a small object, such as a cotton ball or paper clip, in the spoon.
- Pull back the arm of the catapult, stretching the rubber bands, and release to launch the projectile.
- Test the distance and accuracy of your catapult. If necessary, adjust the tension of the rubber bands or the position of the spoon to improve performance.
Step 7: Optional Enhancements
- You can decorate your catapult with paint or markers to personalize it.
- Experiment with different materials (small puffballs, dry cereal, paper clips) for the projectile to see how it affects the catapult's performance.
- Try building a larger or smaller catapult using the same basic principles to see how it changes the results.
Step 8: Safety Precautions
- Be careful when using hot glue to avoid burns.
- Keep small objects away from young children to prevent choking hazards.
- Use caution when launching items, large or small, to avoid injury to yourself or others.
Yay, you did it! By following these detailed instructions, you can create a popsicle stick catapult that is both functional and fun! Experiment with different designs and adjustments to see how they affect the catapult's performance. Hold a competition for the catapults in different categories (throws the farthest, most decorated, etc.).
Categories: : art, children, Crafts, Creativity, Hiomeschool Resources, Homeschool DIY