This LEGO catapult design uses common LEGO pieces that you have already or you could substitute similar LEGO blocks. Kids of all ages can use the simple LEGO catapult idea and make working catapults at home or in the classroom. This simple STEM project is playful learning at its best!
Homemade Catapult DEsign
Last week my family visited a Genghis Khan Exhibit and saw a real life size trebuchet that they could put their hands on (and shoot some ping pong balls across the museum). Once we returned home, my kids have been creating catapults out of everything.
Related: 15 more ideas how to make a catapult
This LEGO catapult design was created by my 10 year old using just the bricks we already have. As with all things Lego, modify these instructions to use pieces that you might have at home!
Supplies Needed to Make a LEGO Catapult
- LEGO bricks
- Rubber band
How to Make a Lego Catapult
Step 1
Construct the base. The base platform and the catapult foundation consist of these pieces:
Step 2
Add Lego blocks that allow for arm movement.
The base built from pieces pictured above are on the left. The pieces used for the arm movement base are pictured on the right:
Step 3
The base is now complete.
You can see that the two small 2 x 1 stud bricks in between the gold caps are on a rod and can be rotated 360 degrees at this point. This is where the moving arm will attach:
Step 4
Build the catapult’s moving arm with the pieces shown here or similar:
Step 5
Finish the arm and attach it to the 2 x 1 bricks mentioned above:
Step 6
Attach a rubber band.
Step 7
Launch projectiles across the living room.
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LEGO Catapult Set
The boys own one of the Lego Castle sets that includes a catapult. Many of the pieces used were from that set. He has modified that a little to increase projectile distance. Here are some LEGO sets that include a catapult you can build and modity:
- LEGO Kinights’ Kingdom catapult
- LEGO Creator 3in1 Medieval Castle includes a catapult
- Klutz’s LEGO Gadgets book includes a catapult LEGO design
Catapult vs. Trebuchet
The exhibit was calling this type of catapult a trebuchet. We were wondering what the difference between the two weapons were and after a little internet search which included Wikipedia, this is what I understand to be true:
- Catapult: A catapult is a mechanical device used to hurl objects. It is a general term and there are many types of catapults.
- Trebuchet: A trebuchet is a type of catapult. The early models were called traction trebuchets and used manpower and ropes to launch a projectile. Later models used pulleys and counterweights and improved the accuracy of aim significantly.
The type of catapult we just built out of Legos could be described as a traction trebuchet if you imagined the rubber band to be men pulling on ropes.
How to Make a Catapult Out of LEGO Bricks
This simple catapult that kids can make out of LEGOs that they already have and a rubber band is fun to make and fun for play. The STEM and history concepts surrounding building a catapult make this the perfect catapult craft for home or classroom use.
Materials
- LEGO bricks - use ours as a sample of what you might use from your LEGO bin (feel free to substitute)
- Rubber band
Instructions
- Using the pictures in this How to Build a LEGO Catapult article, choose similar LEGO bricks from your LEGO collection -- if you aren't finding the exact bricks, then find some that might work and place them separated in a work area.
- Construct your catapult base: Choose a flat LEGO or baseplate that is large enough to balance your catapult once it is finished.
- Create a stabile centerpiece that attaches to the foundation piece. Use larger, sturdier bricks as this will be what the catapult arm will swing from. Add in a piece on each side that will allow for arm movement that you can attach the next step to.
- Add the movement arm.
- Attach a basket or brick at top to place what the catapult will throw to the movement arm.
- Add a strong brick near the bottom of the movement arm that will support the rubber band.
- Twist the rubber band around the lower part of the movement arm and the centerpiece so that when the upper part of the movement arm is pushed back, the rubber band will propel what is being thrown by the catapult into the air.
Looking for more trebuchet and catapult building ideas?
MORE CATAPULT MAKING FUN For Kids of All Ages
- How to make a catapult out of popsicle sticks
- Simple DIY catapult design
- Larger launching catapult design using wooden spoon
- Make a Tinker Toy catapult
More LEGO Fun from Kids Activities Blog
- Our favorite LEGO ideas for kids…and beyond!
- Best LEGO storage ideas for organizing and storing the little bricks.
- Become a LEGO master builder. It is a real job!
- How to build a Lego table…I ended up building three of these and they lasted for YEARS of LEGO building fun.
- What to do with used legos.
- Make your own LEGO travel case for fun…
- Where are legos made?
- If you liked making a lego trebuchet, then check out how to make a scale out of lego bricks!
- Here are 5 fun ideas to do your own lego challenges for kids.
How did your lego catapult turn out? How far can you launch projectiles across the room?
ha! this is so cute! Found you on TT&J.
I would love for you to link this up at my weekend Link Party, Once Upon a Weekend. This weekend is my first-ever party, and I am so hoping people will participate! 🙂
Here's the link if you're interested:
http://familyeverafter.blogspot.com/2011/07/once-upon-weekend-link-party-1.html
Also, if you have a list of favorite link parties, I â„¢d love to be included on Fridays. Thanks a ton!
This is awesome! My son just made a catapult at scouts day camp, but I think he would love to have this one too!
What a great idea. My children love building out of lego, I’m sure they’ll want to give this a go.
x
Oh so cool… and we have all the bits to make this!