Kid’s Craft, Popsicle Stick Catapult

Kids and creating they just go together, don’t they? Last time I shared the caterpillar craft my kids made. They turned out really cute. Today I’m sharing an easy to make catapult your kids will love.

My son loves to shoot or throw things. So this project was one he was really excited about. This catapult takes a few items, popsicle sticks, a cap from a milk or water jug and rubber bands. Most of the things we already had at home. I purchased our jumbo popsicle sticks at the dollar store. Gotta love that store for inexpensive craft times.

My daughter wanted to decorate her catapult as we were assembling them. She added a flowers and hearts to hers using a felt tip markers. But after using the catapult a few times the drawings started to smear. So it might be best if your kids want to decorate them, to use a sharpie pen.

How to assemble the Catapult

Step 1. Stack 7 popsicle stick together. Then secure them at both ends with a rubber band. Make sure to wrap the rubber band around each end tightly.

Step 2. Stack 2 more popsicle sticks and secure only one end just like the larger stack of popsicle sticks.

Step 3. Slide the first stack or 7 popsicle sticks between the stack of two popsicle sticks and slide it down close to the rubber banded end.

Step 4. Secure the two popsicle stick stack to the 7 popsicle sticks. Take a rubber band and wrap it around one end of the stack of 7 popsicle sticks. Twist the rubber band and cross over to the other side of the two stick popsicle stack on the short end, that has been secured with the rubber band. Don’t cross over the non secured end of the two stack popsicle sticks. Then twist the rubber band around the other side of the 7 stack popsicle sticks and go back to the other side and repeat the twist and secure it.

Now the stack of 7 popsicle sticks should be secured in-between the two popsicle sticks.

Step 5. Glue the bottle top to the end of the popsicle stick that is sticking up on the top. We used hot glue to secure ours.

Step 6. Add a pom pom or wadded pieces of foil or paper to the cap at the end of the catapult. While holding the base of the 7 popsicle sticks push the upper arm down and release it. The object will go flying.

My kids set up a target on the floor so they could play a game with their catapults.

To make this activity a little more educational, get some books from the library on catapults and other launching devices.

So the kids can learn how they work and why they work the way they do.

Here’s a few book ideas,

Some of the links below are my referral links. Which means as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases and when you purchase through them I can make a little money at no extra cost to you. Thanks! See my disclosure policy for more information.

The Art of the Catapult

Stomp Rockets, Catapults, and Kaleidoscopes

Amazing Leonardo da Vinci Inventions: You Can Build Yourself

I hope your kids love this craft as much as mine did! What kind of crafts have you done with your kids recently?

Check out the other Kid’s crafts.