Easy Popsicle Stick Catapult Activity for Kids (STEM!)
Learn how to make an EASY popsicle stick catapult! Popsicle stick catapults are an exciting STEM project perfect for children of all ages. Not only do they get to create their own pint-sized launching device, but they’ll also learn about important principles such as potential and kinetic energy, as well as projectile motion.
Busy bodies need activities to keep their hands moving and their brains engaged! With 3 busy boys at home, I know firsthand just how important it is to keep kids entertained AND learning.
And STEM activities are the perfect way to “kill two birds with one stone” and accomplish both tasks at once!
I love creating STEM (or STEAM, if you want to include art projects) activities for my kids and have shared several simple science experiments on this site, including:
Whether you’re a teacher looking for an interactive classroom activity or a parent seeking a new project to keep the little ones entertained at home, popsicle stick catapults won’t disappoint.
What are catapults?
Catapults have a rich history, dating back to at least the 1600s. This simple machine was first used as a powerful war machine to hurl stones, projectiles, and other objects at enemy fortifications.
Today, you can create a simple and fun popsicle stick catapult at home to learn about the basic principles of physics by making a lever and fulcrum to launch objects in the air.
I love how this simple arrangement (using everyday objects) allows you to transform the potential energy stored in the bent sticks into kinetic energy, to send projectiles flying. Mind blown!
How To Make A Popsicle Stick Catapult
Building a popsicle stick catapult is an awesome STEM activity that combines creativity and learning.
Supplies Needed
To build a popsicle stick catapult, you will need to gather some simple household supplies:
- 9 jumbo popsicle sticks or craft sticks
- 5 rubber bands
- 1 plastic spoon
- Small ball to fit inside the spoon (we used foam balls)
Popsicle Stick Catapult Instructions
Here’s a step-by-step guide to building your own simple catapult with popsicle sticks.
Step 1: Building the Base
Attach the spoon to one of the craft sticks using two rubber bands. You need to make sure that the bend in the spoon handle is over the end of the craft stick.
One rubber band will need to be at the base of the handle, and the other, about ½” – 1″ from the end of the popsicle stick (depending on what size stick you are using)
Step 2: Secure the Stack of Popsicle Sticks
Stack and secure 7 of the craft sticks together using two rubber bands at each end of the stack.
Step 3: Reinforce the Launching Stick
Place one craft stick underneath the craft stick with the spoon attached to it, and secure them together with a rubber band.
Step 4: Connecting the Base and Launching Stick
Now it’s time to connect the base and launching stick. Gently separate the two craft sticks, and push the stack of 7 craft sticks through them.
The V-shaped gap created by the two sticks should hold the stack securely in place.
Step 5: Use Your Launcher
Place a small ball into the spoon, and press down on the tip of the spoon to launch.
Your popsicle stick catapult is ready for action!
SAFETY NOTE: Remember to always use your catapult responsibly, and avoid launching objects that could cause harm or damage.
Kids of all ages will have a blast testing out their catapults to see how far various objects can fly, while also gaining a hands-on understanding of the science behind it. Let ‘er rip!
The Science Behind Catapults
A catapult stores energy when you pull it back, creating potential energy in the process. Potential energy is the energy an object possesses because of its position, in this case, the stretched elastic band connected to the popsicle sticks.
Once you release the catapult, the potential energy converts into kinetic energy, which is the energy of motion that an object possesses.
The conversion occurs because the elastic band, which was under tension, returns to its relaxed state, propelling the object into the air.
There are a few key concepts at play in the popsicle stick catapult:
- Force: The catapult’s force is what causes the object to launch into the air. The greater the force exerted on the object, the higher and farther it will travel.
- Elastic potential energy: This type of potential energy is stored in elastic materials when they are stretched or compressed. In this case, the elastic band stores the energy as it’s stretched.
- Projectile motion: The launched object follows a curved path, known as projectile motion, due to the influence of gravity. Its motion can be analyzed in two dimensions – horizontal (x-axis) and vertical (y-axis).
NOTE: This simple popsicle stick catapult is a lot of fun for younger kids and older kids too! And it makes a great science fair project idea!
Extend The Activity
Experiment with different angles, projectiles, and launch techniques to see how they affect the length and trajectory of your launches so you can explore the physics of catapults and have fun learning about this ancient device.
This fun activity is great for learning about basic physics concepts, such as kinetic and potential energy, while exploring creative engineering solutions. Happy catapulting!
Popsicle Stick Catapult Enhancements and Tips
First things first, let’s talk about the craft sticks and rubber bands. These are the main components of your catapult. To make your catapult even more sturdy and reliable, try using thicker, wider, or higher-quality craft sticks. You can also experiment with different types or sizes of rubber bands to find the perfect tension for launching your projectiles the farthest.
Speaking of projectiles, consider trying out a variety of objects to launch! From small objects like marshmallows or pompoms to slightly larger ones like ping pong balls or small sponge balls, explore what works best with your catapult. Just remember to ensure safety by avoiding sharp, heavy, or potentially dangerous items.
Now let’s dive into the angle of your catapult. The angle at which your catapult is positioned plays a significant role in determining the distance your projectiles travel. Have fun experimenting with different angles to see which one works best for your craft stick catapult. You can try angles anywhere from near flat (0 degrees) to a complete 90-degree angle. Pay close attention to the differences in distance and height that each angle provides, and use this knowledge to fine-tune your design.
Incorporating a design process can be a great way to encourage kids to think like engineers. Instead of creating just one catapult design, encourage them to make multiple iterations of their creation. After each test launch, ask them to consider what adjustments can be made to improve their catapult’s performance. This way, they learn how to analyze, hypothesize, and iterate – all vital skills in the world of STEM.
Projectile Ideas
Cotton Ball Launch: This is a safe and fun way for kids to explore how different levels of force can affect the distance a cotton ball travels.
Paint Bomb: Add some excitement to the activity by attaching a small container or balloon filled with paint to the catapult. When launched, the paint will create an explosion of colors. Woohoo!
Marshmallows: Mini or regular? How do size and weight impact your marshmallow’s trajectory?
Pompoms: How does a pom pom behave compared to your cotton balls?
Foam balls: Do these go farther than the cotton balls or pompoms?
Safety Precautions
I need to mention this because we had a mishap when my kids first started using their popsicle stick catapult. They were gung ho about it and enthusiastically experimented with launching different things.
One of them got the brilliant idea to try launching a marble…straight into a glass on the table. Ooops! Needless to say, the glass broke and we had a lesson in cleaning up shards of glass.
Take time to choose a suitable location for the activity. An open and sturdy surface, such as a hard floor surface is ideal.
Ensure that there are no fragile or dangerous objects nearby that could be hit by the projectiles. Clear the area of any potential hazards or obstacles to prevent accidents.
When selecting projectiles to launch with the catapult, try to avoid using sharp or heavy objects that could cause injury or damage. Opt for safer options like small balls of crumpled paper, marshmallows, or pom poms.
During the launching process, remind your kids to always point the catapult away from their faces and their friends to avoid any accidental injuries. Also, make sure everyone stands at a safe distance when the catapult is being launched to prevent being hit by the projectiles.
Lastly, encourage your kids to be responsible and mindful of their surroundings during the activity. This includes being aware of other people and objects in the environment, as well as handling the materials and the catapult itself with care.
Popsicle Stick Catapult FAQs
Yes! Although popsicle sticks aren’t the strongest, you can build a decent catapult that can fly objects a good distance by using a strong elastic band to provide the necessary force.
To enhance your popsicle stick catapult, you can use materials such as strong elastic bands, clothespins, or binder clips to create more tension and increase the force exerted by the catapult.
Additionally, you can try using dowels, craft sticks, or even thin wooden planks as alternatives to popsicle sticks for a more robust structure.
To increase the distance your catapult shoots, you can try the following:
– Use stronger or multiple elastic bands to increase the tension and force of the launch.
– Adjust the launching angle to find the optimal trajectory.
– Experiment with different projectiles to determine which one flies the farthest.
– Improve the stability of your catapult base to ensure consistent launching.
More Hands-On Activities For Kids
If you love this DIY popsicle stick catapult, check out these other fun activities too!
- Glow in the Dark Slime Recipe
- 5-Minute Non-Toxic Easy Homemade Playdough Recipe
- Easy DIY Dinosaur Sensory Bin Activity
- Easy Calming Sea Life Sensory Bottles DIY For Kids
- Easy Cloud Dough Recipe
Popsicle Stick Catapult
Learn how to make an EASY popsicle stick catapult to teach kids important principles such as potential and kinetic energy, as well as projectile motion.
Ingredients
- 9 popsicle or craft sticks
- 5 rubber bands
- 1 plastic spoon
- Small ball to fit inside the spoon (we used foam balls)
Instructions
- Attach the spoon to one of the craft sticks using two rubber bands. You need to make sure that the bend in the spoon handle is over the end of the craft stick. One rubber band will need to be at the base of the handle, and the other, about ½” – 1″ from the end of the popsicle stick (depending on what size stick you are using)
- Stack and secure 7 of the craft sticks together using two of the rubber bands.
- Place one craft stick underneath the craft stick with the spoon attached to it, and secure them together with a rubber band.
- Now it’s time to connect the base and launching stick. Gently separate the two craft sticks, and push the stack of 7 craft sticks through them.
- Place a small ball into the spoon, and press down on the tip of the spoon to launch.
