Build a catapult out of popsicle sticks3/28/2024 ![]() ![]() ![]() But there was one thing we had never done. The wedged stick and stack of sticks should form an X, in other words, they should be perpendicular to each other. Carefully slide one of the wedged sticks between the bottom two stacked popsicle sticks so only the bottommost stick is below the wedged stick. Our Craft Stick Launchers were a massive hit both with our kids and with kids around the world. Then, individually finish carving out the wedges at one end of each stick. Mitch and I also made a super easy catapult from pool noodles! This contraption is pretty cool for little kids to make and because the pool noodles are so flexible it doesn’t throw anything very hard. Thanks In the past we have built some really fun projects. Mitch and I have been working on improving our catapult designs - check out the Binder-a-Pult 2000 with a range of 20 feet! Make it Bigger with Pool Noodles Next, Middle Brother placed two sticks on top of each other and wrapped a rubber band around one end to. We stacked them on top of each other and tightly bound both ends with a rubber band. It’s great for younger kids to build because it’s so very simple. Start with about seven popsicle sticks and place them on top of each other. The popsicle stick catapults are surprisingly simple to build Middle Brother (age 4) helped me count out five sticks. This catapult has a lot of upward thrust–not a very good distance shooter. Mitch and I made a little video if you want to see how it’s built and little demo at the end. Once you’ve built your catapult, test it out by launching the projectile. ![]() Step 5: Use two rubber bands to secure where the popsicle sticks cross, with two diagonal ties to create an X. Marshmallows are also great for catapult flinging! Step 4: Bend the two Popsicle sticks away from the spoon’s handle and insert the stack of 5 Popsicle sticks into the gap. They have just the right amount of weight to travel far, aren’t round enough to roll under the couch and won’t hurt anything that accidentally gets in the way. Mitch and I tested all kinds of things–wads of paper, super balls, foam balls, foil balls or rocks (if you’re outside).īecause this is meant to be an indoor project, I recommend making aluminum foil balls. You can experiment with different kinds of projectiles for your popsicle catapult–really anything that can fit on the spoon will work. Try the challenge with different objects like styrofoam balls or gumdrops.Tada! That was easy! Make Projectiles for Your Catapult.Improve the catapult and try launching the cotton balls and marshmallows again to see if the design made a difference.Discuss with your kids why they think the cotton ball or the marshmallow went farther.You will be surprised at the different ways they build their catapults!Īfter your kids finished the 3 trials with the cotton balls and marshmallows, you can have them: Press down on the spoon gently while holding the bottom of the catapult with your other hand. Pull apart the 2 popsicle sticks and wedge the stack of 7 between those 2. Follow the worksheet to record if the marshmallow or cotton ball went further!įor older kids, you can make the challenge harder by giving them popsicle sticks, spoons, and rubber bands and have them figure out how to build the catapult. Stack the popsicle stick with the spoon and another popsicle stick and tie one end with a rubber band. Press down on the spoon gently while holding the bottom of the catapult with your other hand.ĩ. Pull apart the 2 popsicle sticks and wedge the stack of 7 between those 2.Ħ. Stack the popsicle stick with the spoon and another popsicle stick and tie one end with a rubber band.Ĥ. Use 2 rubber bands to secure the plastic spoon to a popsicle stick.ģ. Stack 7 popsicle sticks and tie ends with rubber bands.Ģ. Free printable snowball fight challenge worksheetġ.When you think of winter, what is the first thing that pops into your head? White, fluffy snow! And what do you do with snow when you are a kid? Have a snowball fight!įor this winter STEM challenge, the kids will go through the scientific method and find out which object will go farther when you launch different items using a popsicle stick catapult! Snowball Fight Winter STEM Challenge Materials: Using a simple catapult design made out of popsicle sticks and a plastic spoon, your kids can determine who will win a snowball fight if one uses marshmallows and the other cotton balls. ![]()
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