Use your LEGO® bricks to construct a fun contraption that shoots discs REALLY far! Kids will love this fun LEGO® building idea. This is different from our LEGO® catapult because it pushes the projectile straight forward with a lot of force, rather than flinging it into the air. Both projects are really cool for learning about projectile motion, and they are also just very satisfying to shoot!

This little disc shooter can launch 2 x 2 round bricks or 2 x 2 round plates. We added a second 2 x 2 round plate or tile on top to make those projectiles a little thicker. This helps the disc shooter transfer force a little better, and the added mass helps them travel farther.

Want to see how it works? The disc launcher has a piece that can slide back and forth, which has a rubber band attached to it to create tension.

Here’s a video demonstration of the launcher in action:

Load a disc onto the launcher. You don’t have to do anything special – just set it on there. Then pull back on the slider, and let go!

Pow! It’s fun to build a shelf out of bricks and some targets to knock down. Another fun option is to use small paper cups to knock down – those little bathroom size cups. We built little towers and then knocked them down!

Ready to build a LEGO® Disc Shooter? Here’s how!

Step 1: Start with the bricks shown below.

Step 2: Attach the bricks and tiles to the 6 x 6 plate as shown.

Step 3: Add a 2 x 4 plate and a 2 x 2 brick with pins on each side.

Step 4: Gather the bricks shown below, as well as a rubber band. You’ll want your rubber band to be thin, but strong.

Step 5: Attach the 2 x 4 tile so that it connects the two dark gray plates. Add the 1 x 2 plate with a handle on the side.

Step 6: Add the 1 x 4 curved slope for stability, and then loop the rubber and through the 1 x 2 plate with a handle.

Step 7: Slide the rubber band and tile assembly under the 2 x 4 plate that you added in step 3. Wrap the rubber band around the 2 x 2 brick with pins on the sides. You may have to wrap it around a couple times, depending on the length of your rubber band. You want the rubber band to have good tension when you pull it back, but not so much that it pulls apart the machine.

Step 8: Add a 1 x 4 brick and a 2 x 2 brick on each side.

Step 9: Flip over your disc shooter and attach a 4 x 6 plate on the underside.

Step 10: Build a frame to support your disc shooter. The shooter needs to tilt a little so that your discs will travel the greatest distance. Grab a plate that is at least 6 studs wide. Then add a 2 x 6 brick with a 1 x 2 brick on each end. Leave one stud of space and add another 2 x 6 brick with a 2 x 6 plate on top of it. Then place a 1 x 2 brick on each end.

Step 11: Find four 1 x 2 Technic bricks and two 1 x 6 Technic bricks. You’ll also need four black pins with friction ridges. Attach the 1 x 2 Technic bricks to each leg of the support structure. Then add a 1 x 6 Technic brick on each side as shown.

Step 12: When both 1 x 6 Technic bricks are attached, the frame should have a slight slant to it. You’ll attach the disc shooter to the Technic bricks.

Step 13: Attach the disc shooter to the frame. Then you’re ready to build some ammo!

Build some targets! Use tiles on the top of your target shelf so that the bricks will slide off easily when you hit them.

Looking for more LEGO® building ideas?

Create a LEGO® Letter Mosaic – awesome for displaying in a bedroom!

Build a LEGO® Endless cube – it magically transforms its shape over and over.

Build a LEGO® Candy Machine – it dispenses one Starburst at a time. So cool!

5 Comments

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  1. Dawn Hampton Mar 11, 2019

    Where is the video demo?

    Reply
  2. Katharine Jul 31, 2019

    Awesome! My boys are loving this.

    Reply
  3. Mateo Mar 20, 2020

    It works! So cool its my favorite lego build!

    Reply
  4. andy Aug 31, 2020

    awesome build!

    Reply
  5. Mira Feb 15, 2024

    Fantastic idea, my little man is a massive lego fan and he loves your designs, thank you so much for sharing all these great ideas! Really well laid out and explained, he is 5 and he was able to follow the instructions on his own!

    Reply

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