We are building a simple popsicle stick catapult for kids. This science and STEM activity works well for kids of all ages at home or in the classroom. We love catapult crafts because once you make a catapult, then you can play with a catapult!
Make A Simple Catapult with Popsicle Sticks
What kid doesn’t want to launch something across the room? Build a catapult to develop this love even more.
Related: 13 ways how to make a catapult and Popsicle Stick & Tissue Paper Mosaic Sun Craft
We hope your kids love this activity as much as our own do.
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Catapult With Popsicle Sticks Kids Can Make
Before building our craft stick catapult, I showed my 3 year old how to turn a spoon into a catapult. Simply press on the spoon end and the other end lifts up. You can’t make an easier catapult than that.
Popsicle Stick Catapult Supplies
- 7 craft sticks
- 3 rubber bands
- a milk cap
- cotton balls {or other objects to launch}
How To Make A Catapult for Kids Out Of Popsicle Sticks
Step 1
Stack 5 craft sticks together, and rubber band the ends.
Step 2
Stack 2 craft sticks together, and wrap a rubber band around the very end.
Step 3
Separate the 2 craft sticks. Place the stack of 5 craft sticks between the 2 craft sticks.
Step 4
Wrap a rubber band around all of the craft sticks to hold the catapult together.
Step 5
Glue a milk cap {or something similar} on to serve as a launching platform.
Related: LEGO building ideas
Finished Popsicle Stick Catapult
Push down on the top craft stick and release to launch an object from the milk cap.
Catapult with Popsicle Sticks
This easy popsicle stick catapult project for kids is the perfect STEM activity at home, home school or in the classroom. This hands-on catapult building activity can be modified in a million ways and tested with different projectiles for distance and weight! Let's make a catapult.
Materials
- 7 craft sticks
- 3 rubber bands
- a milk cap
- cotton balls {or other objects to launch}
Tools
- glue
Instructions
- Make a stack of 5 craft sticks and then bind them together with rubber bands at each ends.
- Stack 2 craft sticks together and then wrap a rubber band around one end.
- Separate the 2 craft sticks you just attached at one end and place the stack of 5 craft sticks perpendicular in between making a cross shape.
- Attach the two stacks together with a rubber band at the center of the cross to hold the catapult together.
- Glue a milk cap or other cap to the upper popsicle stick to act as a launching platform.
Play with Catapult Science
Now create a simple experiment using the catapult of your choice.
Related: Grab our worksheet for kids to learn the scientific method steps
Try one of these simple science experiments:
- Launch an object from the catapult multiple times and measure how far it travels each time.
- Launch different objects from the catapult and measure how far each object travels.
- Compare catapults. Build more than one catapult {the same or different design}. Launch the same object from each catapult and measure how far it travels.
Can you think of any other catapult experiments? Do you have a favorite catapult design?
More DIY Catapults for Kids
What a fun way to launch something in the air! Kids can build a catapult AND learn about science at the same time.
- Use bricks you already have to make a LEGO catapult.
- Make a tinker toy catapult.
- Play a catapult game.
- Build a toilet roll catapult.
- More science experiments for kids.
More Science Fun in Our 101 Coolest Simple Science Experiments Book
Our book, The 101 Coolest Simple Science Experiments, features tons of awesome activities just like this one that will keep your kids engaged while they learn. Check out the tear sheet from the catapult craft we just did that you can download and print:
How did your popsicle stick catapult turn out? Tell us in the comments below!
Check out these super cute decorative stick art, and make a popsicle stick menorah craft for kids!
Popsicle Stick Catapult FAQ
A catapult is a simple lever machine that launches a projectile using the force of tension and torsion instead of a propellant like gun powder. Catapults are often used in war as a weapon because they are able to fling heavy objects into the distance allowing armies to stay away from each other.
We are going to leave it up to you to find out how far your popsicle stick catapult can launch an object, but depending the catapult design and the weight of the projectile, we have found that a popsicle stick catapult can launch items over 10 feet! Be careful!
There is so much STEM goodness with this catapult project! Kids can learn the basics of catapult design, how changes will affect projectile launch height and length along with problem solving how to fix a faulty catapult! Have fun because every time you build a catapult, you will learn something new no matter your age.
thanks alot
You’re welcome!