STEM challenge for kids – build a catapult out of popsicle sticks!
Here’s a fun (and effective) catapult to build out of popsicle sticks, hot glue, and a few other basic household supplies. We’ve been having a blast with this little contraption!
The catapult’s arm is attached to a segment of a straw that rotates around a bamboo skewer. To shoot the catapult, hold down the frame with one hand while firmly (and quickly!) pressing down the arm with the other hand.
This may be the most effective catapult we have ever built. It shoots really far!
Here’s what you need to make one:
- Popsicle sticks – 8 to 9 per catapult
- Wide craft sticks – 2
- A bamboo skewer
- A straw – either plastic or paper
- A paper cup
- Hot glue gun
- Scissors
We have been shooting Nerf Rival balls with our catapults, and they work great! They are super lightweight, yet still fun. If you don’t have any of those, pom pom balls work just as well. If you want something with a little more power to it, we also had good success with small wooden beads. (Just be safe, okay?)
Step 1: Grab 6 sticks and warm up the glue gun. I actually used some mini popsicle sticks for my instruction photos and then made a catapult with full size popsicle sticks afterwards. The process is the same. I think I like the full size popsicle stick catapult better, but both of them work well!
Step 2: Make two triangles by gluing three craft sticks together. Then grab a straw and a bamboo skewer.
Step 3: Cut a piece from the bamboo skewer. Then cut a shorter segment from the straw.
Step 4: Hot glue the skewer to each of the triangles.
Step 5: Glue a couple of sticks to the base of the catapult for stability.
Step 6: Glue a wide craft stick to the straw to create the shooting arm of the catapult.
Step 7: Cut a paper cup so that there is just an inch or two left at the bottom. Glue a second wide craft stick to the catapult and then glue on the cup.
Now you’re ready to try it out! Here’s the larger version that I created out of regular size popsicle sticks.
If you use full size popsicle sticks (the size I linked to in the supply list), you’ll need to add one more stick across the front of the catapult. Kids can experiment with the position of this final stick so that it stops the shooting arm at the best position for launching the ball.
Need more STEM ideas?
- Make a Tissue Box Catapult!
- Try a Craft Stick Bridge Building Challenge
- Perform Science Experiments with Hot Wheels Cars
Have fun tinkering!
16 Comments
Zainub Oct 10, 2018
How far does is shoot ?
Rebecca Walker Dec 17, 2018
this helped me with a ascience project
Emily Wilson Feb 5, 2019
I have to build a catapult to shoot a rubber ducky for class, and I was freaking out, but this is gonna help a LOT!! THANK YOU!!!!
Emily Wilson Feb 11, 2019
Hi again. I just wanted to thank you for giving me this idea.
Devyn Berry Feb 24, 2019
I am gonna use this for a science project but will it hold heavier things like a softball.
Lizzie Jun 25, 2019
It helped me for my project too!?☺thsnks
Devyn Feb 27, 2019
me too
bPender Apr 15, 2019
Awesome! I'm using it to help my class see how different masses but the same force changes the distance an object will fly! Thank you! :-)
Thanks Alot Aug 25, 2019
Thanks a lot for this idea, I really needed a sturdy catapult for my Engineering class!
Ken Sangler May 3, 2020
Great! This really helped. I built a scale model to 30 feet for my Science project. It launched a ball 600 feet!
Question May 14, 2020
Could I use giant popsicle sticks?
Ming Li Jun 15, 2020
Thank you. This is so useful
18kyled Jun 22, 2020
this helped me with my technology project. THANKS!
yungking Oct 27, 2020
Very helpful for my physics project... THANK YOU.
SkylarWright Nov 8, 2020
I made this for a project worth 30% of my mark. THANKS
Annika Ball Jan 19, 2021
THANK YOU!!! I used it for a school project.
Marinette Apr 14, 2021
I'm gonna do this for my science project!
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