Today we are making a very simple catapult designed with things you already have at home. Kids of all ages will love this easy catapult craft that transforms into a fun STEM toy for hours of science fun. This science activity works great at home or in the classroom.
Easy Catapult Design for Kids
My youngest guy wanted to make a simple DIY Catapult using things that we had around the house. I thought it was a great idea and told him to go ahead and show me what he could come up with.
Related: So many ways how to make a catapult
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How to make a Simple DIY Catapult
Supplies Needed for 3 Item Catapult Design
He literally used three items that I never would have guessed would work together so well, but they did:
- Toilet paper toll, craft roll or cut down paper towel tube
- 2 Elastic bands or Rubber bands
- Wooden spoon
- Something to launch in the catapult: marshmallows, pom poms, cotton balls
We tried launching paper and marshmallows and lots of little harmless things.
Directions for DIY Catapult
Step 1
Place the two elastic bands in a criss-cross pattern on the toilet paper roll.
Step 2
Slip the handle of the wooden spoon underneath the cross of the elastic bands or rubber bands.
Step 3
Place the spoon so that the handle is in the air and the other end is touching the table, that way you can hit the handle to launch your item.
Variations for Your Simple Catapult
This is one of those projects that your kids will spend hours doing because it’s pretty cool to be able to launch things across the room! My son got a little bit crazy and hit the ceiling a few times, so be sure to supervise if you’re worried about that!
Our Dunk the Cookies in Milk Catapult Challenge
Let’s be honest, we had to try this thing out with something fun.
Maybe it was cookies, that we tried to get into our cup of milk.
You would not believe how hard that actually is to do, but it’s really fun trying. Make sure you have a large space and that you’re ok with cookie crumbs getting everywhere!
Watch Us Try to Catapult Cookies into Milk Video
I’d love to say that we got the cookie in the milk, but sadly we did not. That doesn’t mean we didn’t give it our best effort though!
More Catapult Making Fun from Kids aCtivities Blog
- How to make a catapult out of popsicle sticks
- Let’s make a LEGO catapult
- Larger launching catapult design using wooden spoon
- Make a Tinker Toy catapult
How did your simple DIY catapult design turn out? What things did you launch with your own catapult?
If you are looking for making the best things with the things around you can be prepared with the help of these innovative ideas mentioned in this post.
fun crafts but you really should not be encouraging the use of toilet paper rolls for crafts. think about what they are used for and where they are located in your home. now picture your child playing with it. In childcare we have banned the use of them for crafts. Instead use a paper towel roll cut in two.