If you’re looking for an easy STEM craft for kids, then you have to try making this Popsicle Stick Catapult. Kids will love making their catapults and then testing them out to see how far they can launch pom poms!
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Make Your Own Popsicle Stick Catapults
All you need are popsicle sticks, rubber bands and plastic spoons to create your own catapults. We launched pom poms with ours but you could use small balls of paper.
We love using colored craft sticks for this project. If you can’t find colored ones, you can also paint plain jumbo craft sticks. Plain craft sticks will work too!
Whether you need a simple idea for home or school – these would be great for an indoor STEM activity! See more fun indoor activities for kids.
Watch the Video Tutorial!
Supplies Needed
- Jumbo craft sticks – we love using jumbo colored ones! Or you can also use regular-sized popsicle sticks
- Rubber bands (we used colored ones)
- Plastic spoons (we used colored ones)
- Pom poms (or small balls of paper)
How To Make Popsicle Stick Catapults
1. Wrap 7 popsicle sticks together.
Begin by stacking 7 craft sticks together.
Wrap a rubber band around each end of the stack to secure them together.
2. Take 2 more craft sticks and wrap a rubber band around just one end.
Insert the stack of craft sticks in between the 2 craft sticks, like this:
3. Wrap rubber bands in the center.
Wrap 1 rubber band around the center, where the 2 craft sticks meet the stack.
Then wrap another rubber band around the other side so that an “X” forms in the center where the craft sticks meet.
4. Place a plastic spoon on the top craft stick and secure in place.
Place a plastic spoon on the top craft stick, with the cup of the spoon at the highest point and the handle of the spoon at the lowest point.
Wrap 2 rubber bands around the spoon and craft stick to secure. For best results, the top of the spoon should be hanging off of the craft stick.
5. Try out your catapult!
To test out your catapult, place a pom pom inside the spoon, press down and release to launch your pom pom!
Kids of all ages will love making these catapults and testing them out! Have a friendly competition to see who can get the pom pom to go the farthest!
Also try these other fun science activities!
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