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Homemade Catapult Building

Homemade Catapult Building

Min number of participants 1
Age 8+ yrs.
Safety support by adult Recommended
Min duration 30 min.
Cost None (Free)
Environment Indoor / Outdoor

Build a small catapult from craft sticks, rubber bands, and a spoon, then launch pom-poms or paper balls across the room — a simple engineering project that teaches leverage and force.

The Essentials

  • Use six to eight craft sticks stacked and bound tightly for the base, more sticks add more spring force
  • Wrap rubber bands in a tight X pattern to hold the fulcrum stick firmly in place without slipping
  • Attach the spoon at the very end of the throwing arm to get the longest possible lever for distance
  • Test with light projectiles like pom-poms or paper balls first, never launch anything hard or sharp
  • Adjust the pull-back angle to control range, a lower angle launches farther and a higher angle launches higher
  • Mark launch distances on the floor with tape so you can turn it into a target-accuracy game
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