Make a simple catapult to teach your child the science of motion and force.
Building a Popsicle stick catapult is a fun, cheap and easy rainy day craft for children. Once built, this mini-catapult can be used to play the game "Storm the Castle." A catapult also teaches the scientific principles of motion, forces and simple machines. With four Popsicle sticks and a little know-how, you and your child can spend a fun and engaging craft time making this historical siege weapon.
Instructions
1. Lay two of the four Popsicle sticks on each long end of one of the 3 by 5 index cards to begin making the base of the catapult. Tape them to the card using a strip of at either short end of the card.
2. Cut the third Popsicle stick in half. Tape the two ends together to make an L-shape with the stick. Place the L so one end sticks up into the air and the other end lays in the middle of the two Popsicle sticks already taped to the card. Tape the bottom part of the L to the card using a strip of across the middle of the card (covering all three Popsicle sticks). Pace another strip of masking tape across the joint of the L at the end of the card (also covering all three Popsicle sticks). This completes the base for your catapult.
3. Tape the fourth Popsicle stick into the point of the L using masking tape on the top and bottom joints. This makes the catapult arm.
4. Cut the rubber band with scissors so it is one long rubber strip.Tape one end to the back of the catapult arm about 1 inch down on the stick. Pull the rubber band up and toward the back of the portion of your L which is sticking up off of the catapult base. You want to create a V-shape with the arm and the base. Then tape the remainder of the rubber band to the back of the L portion of the base so the rubber strip is taut, but not too tight. The catapult is now complete.
5. Fold the second index card into fourths. Unfold and cut along the creases with the scissors. Fold each of the pieces in half to make the pellets you'll fling using the catapult.
6. Load a pellet onto the long end of the catapult arm. Hold the base card of the catapult on the table with one hand. With the other hand, push the arm down until it touches the card and then release to fling the pellet.
Tags: masking tape, Popsicle stick, Popsicle sticks, rubber band,