Here’s another fun thing to do with popsicle sticks – build them into stick bombs!

How to Build Popsicle Stick Bombs

Popsicle stick bombs are quick to make and fun to throw. The boys thought it was cool that they are kind of like ninja stars, and they loved how the sticks fly apart in all directions when they hit something.

How to Build Popsicle Stick Bombs

The sticks are under tension, which is what makes them pop apart when you throw them. It takes a little bit of practice to learn how to make them, but it’s not difficult. My 8 and 11 year old sons had no trouble building these themselves. My 5 year old couldn’t quite do it, but he and our 3 year old love to throw as many bombs as their brothers will make for them!

This is a good design to start with:

How to Build Popsicle Stick Bombs

They explode when they land on one side. We had trouble with some not exploding, although if you throw any of them hard enough they will explode! We found that using small popsicle sticks for the horizontal pieces gave them more tension and made them easier to explode.

How to Build Popsicle Stick Bombs

Here’s another design:

How to Build Popsicle Stick Bombs

You can find more designs on Make: Projects.

Also, our favorite stick bombs are chain reactions! This one is our new favorite type:

How to Build Popsicle Stick Bombs

Find out how to build chain reactions here – Part 1 and Part 2. Videos in both posts!

8 Comments

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  1. Malia {Playdough to Plato} Dec 4, 2014

    My boys are going to go CRAZY over these!! Such awesome entertainment when it's cold outside. Thanks Sarah!! Sharing.

    Reply
  2. JJ Dec 5, 2014

    My boys LOVE the chain reactions so I can't wait to show these "bombs" to them!

    JJ
    www.dressupnotdown.blogspot.com

    Reply
  3. Becky Spence Dec 6, 2014

    My son LOVES to make both the Popsicle bombs and chain reactions. I like how your son used the rubber bands to hold some of them together. We'll have to try that one!

    Reply
  4. Anonymous Dec 27, 2014

    AMAZING! Wow! I made 10 and threw them al; together. They flew ALL over the place.
    Thanks Sarah.

    Anonymous

    Reply
  5. Awesomesause Mar 20, 2015

    i love this! Way cool!

    Reply
  6. mohammad Jun 10, 2015

    When I was a child I always do the games. The good old days

    Reply
  7. Kathryn Sep 17, 2016

    How cool! I'm not sure though how the sticks stay together though. Glue?!?

    Reply
  8. Amber Apr 30, 2021

    Hey, so I’ve got to ask. If these are thrown at a kid by another kid.... would it hurt?? Because I keep a group of boys several days a week... and inevitably they would end up throwing them at each other.

    I just need to decide if I should show the boys this cool project knowing that once I do... They will automatically and instinctively use them as ninja stars.

    Thanks

    Reply
    1. Sarah May 9, 2021

      No, these would not hurt at all. They fall apart the moment they touch something. They wouldn't hit with any force!

      Reply

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