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Indoor activity

Miniature Popsicle Stick Catapult

Build your own working medieval siege engine using craft sticks and rubber bands, then launch cotton wool boulders!

Ages 5-12 0-1 hours Education 8/10

Materials

  • Cotton Wool
  • Plastic Spoon
  • Popsicle Sticks
  • Rubber Bands

Illustrated Steps

1

Create the Base Stack

Stack 5 popsicle sticks and band both ends tightly.

2

Build the Launcher Arm

Join 2 sticks at one end, and slide the base stack between them.

3

Secure the Arm

Criss-cross a rubber band to lock the sticks together.

4

Attach the Bucket

Rubber band the spoon to the top stick to finish the catapult.

What You’ll Create

Channel your inner medieval engineer and build a powerful Miniature Popsicle Stick Catapult! Using basic tension and leverage from rubber bands, you’ll transform simple popsicle sticks and a plastic spoon into an impressive launcher capable of sending soft cotton wool ‘boulders’ soaring across the living room.

How to Set It Up

Step 1: Create the Base Stack

Take five popsicle sticks and stack them perfectly on top of each other. Wrap a rubber band tightly around each end of the stack to hold them securely together. This is your fulcrum!

Step 2: Build the Launcher Arm

Take two more popsicle sticks. Wrap a rubber band tightly around one end to join them. Then, slide your thick base stack between these two sticks, pushing it close to the rubber-banded end so the top stick angles upward.

Step 3: Secure the Arm

Criss-cross another rubber band tightly where the top stick meets the base stack to lock the whole structure together. It should look like an angled see-saw.

Step 4: Attach the Bucket

Take your plastic spoon and lay its handle along the angled top stick. Secure it firmly with two more rubber bands. Your catapult is armed and ready!

Have fun!

  • 🏰 Build a tower out of plastic cups and try to knock it down.
  • 🎯 Place a bowl across the room and practice your target shooting.
  • 📏 Measure how far different soft objects fly (cotton wool vs marshmallows).
  • 🎨 Paint or decorate your sticks before building to customize your siege engine.

Why It’s Amazing

  • Engineering & Physics: Hands-on experience with potential energy, tension, and levers. ⚙️
  • Fine Motor Control: Stretching and wrapping tight rubber bands builds finger strength and dexterity. 💪
  • Scientific Method: Kids naturally experiment with angles and force to improve their launch distance. 🔬

Pro Tips

For ages 5-8: Kids may need an adult’s help wrapping the rubber bands tight enough. Let them take charge of the testing phase!

For ages 8-12: Challenge them to build a larger version with more sticks in the base stack. Does a taller fulcrum launch things further?