This DIY Craft Stick Catapult is a really fun STEM project the kids will love (I’ll be honest – I had a great time with it too!). It’s a really easy and inexpensive one to make.
It helps teach concepts of physics, mathematics, and critical thinking. Most of all, it’s a great way to spend an afternoon! Add an art component in by using plain craft sticks and letting kids paint and decorate them.
DIY Craft Stick Catapult
I used to make these with my students when I was a school teacher. It’s an ideal complement to learning about Medieval history or for a physics lesson. But you can make them with your kids just as a fun activity – shhh, they don’t need to know it’s educational too. That can be our little secret.
This craft stick catapult takes well under 15 minutes to complete (unless you add in the art component!) and is very economical too. Most of the supplies can be found at your local dollar store so it’s perfect to do with large groups like Scouts and camps.
HOW TO MAKE A DIY CRAFT STICK CATAPULT
Supplies needed:
Instructions:
This is such a simple project to make!
1. Stack 7 craft sticks together and secure at each end with rubber bands.
2. Glue a bottle cap (or other “launch pad”) to one end of another craft stick. Let dry. (You can do this after assembling if you are using the glue gun).
3. Stack the craft stick with the bottle cap on it with another plain craft stick and secure at one end with a rubber band.
4. Place the stack of 7 sticks inside the stack of 2 as shown in the photo above.
5. Secure with rubber bands. I use two and crisscross them over to make sure it holds in place.
That’s it! You’re ready to launch some pompoms. Simply press down on the bottle cap end and let go! Note: The placement of the 7 sticks inside of the 2 can affect how far the pompoms will fly. Let the kids experiment with moving it and see what happens!
Have the kids test out various options and then measure the distances they can launch the pompoms or other projectiles. What variation can launch the items the highest? What variation has enough force to knock over a toy character, domino, or other such item?
Angie @ CCC says
My kids would love this! Thanks for joining!
Carolina says
What kiddo wouldn’t love a catapult!?