• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

What Do We Do All Day logo

  • Start Here
  • Books
    • Classics
      • 20th Century Classics
    • Early Chapter Books
    • Easy Readers
    • Folktales
    • Holiday Books
    • Middle Grade (8-12 years)
    • Nonfiction
    • Picture Books
    • Read Aloud Chapter Books
  • Games
    • Traditional Games
  • Kids Activities
    • Arts and Crafts
    • Literacy & Writing
    • Math
    • Playful Activities
    • Science
    • Toddler
  • Parenting
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Books for kids
  • Games
  • Indoor activities for kids
  • Parenting
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • ×
    You are here: Home / Games / Easy DIY Catapult and Target Game for Kids

     

    Easy DIY Catapult and Target Game for Kids

    2469 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    We have come up with the easiest diy catapult ever! It has no complicated levers or pulleys, no rubber bands that might accidentally snap into your nose and no plastic spoons to break in half. The instructions are so simple that kids can make the catapult all by themselves and you don't need any special skills or materials.

    In addition, after you make your own catapult, you'll want an easy way to set up target practice to test your homemade catapult out. We've got you covered with a simple target game so get ready for hours of screen-free fun!

    Cardboard diy catapult and pompoms

    Catapult Instructions

    You are so smart you can figure out how to make the catapult just from looking at the photo, but here are the instructions.

    Materials Needed

    • A 10 inch (or so) length of sturdy board. (See below for some options)
    • Duct tape
    • Sturdy tube. A flimsy paper roll tube will not work. Use a sturdy cardboard roll, or firm plastic tube. Your tube should not have any give.
    • Large bottle cap
    • Glue
    • Soft items to launch such as pompoms, crumpled bits of foil, cotton balls, etc.

    MORE: 10 Ways to Play with Pompoms

    Step by Step

    For the diy catapult board: You want something that will not bend at all. We had a piece of foam core board left over from a package and attached a length of cardboard with duct tape to the top of it.

    Alternatively, you can tape several layers of cardboard together, or use a thin piece of plywood.

    Cut your tube the width of your board. Tape it to the bottom of the board in the center.

    Glue the bottle cap to the top of one end of the board.

    How to Launch

    Place a soft item (such as a pompom) into the bottle cap.

    Count down from 10.

    On zero, yell, "Blast off!!!" and with all your might, slap down on the end catapult without the cap.

    Watch the pompom sail through the air. "Wheeeeeee!"

    MORE: Simple machine play with a diy pulley

    Catapult Target Game

    Once your child has got the hang of their new toy and is catapulting objects all over the living room, take a moment to redirect their attention to some more structured target practice.

    We set up this simple target game in no time with only two items. All you need is a large piece of paper and a pen. As you can see, the target doesn't need to be pretty.

    Target practice with a homemade catapult

    Place a large piece of paper on the floor. A length from a roll of butcher paper is perfect. Next, draw concentric circles and write a point value in each one.

    Optional: place a small container in the very center as the bullseye as we did. You can also just draw the bullseye, if you prefer.

    Using the diy catapult, launch items, aiming for the center of the target. Depending on the landing spot, each successful launch is worth a point value.

    Using this target, kids can simply make up their own rules.

    Do they want to play until they reach certain point value? Or a predetermined number of rounds?

    Your job as the parent is to sit back, cheer them on, and drink your coffee.

    Enjoy!

    Want Your Kids to Love Being Unplugged?
    Subscribe to our newsletter and as a thank you, receive 10 waiting games kids can play anytime anywhere.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    « Nature Journaling with Kids
    Best Animal-Themed Early Chapter Books for Kids »
    2469 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Raising a Happy Child says

      July 30, 2010 at 1:33 pm

      Love it - I was planning on making catapult next week since we'll be revisiting castles. This will be a nice extension 🙂

      Reply
    2. MaryAnne says

      July 30, 2010 at 2:47 pm

      Very nice - beautifully simple, too =)

      Reply
    3. catb says

      July 30, 2010 at 2:56 pm

      Ooh - love this idea. Will definitely try it out tonight. Thanks!

      Reply
    4. Joyful Learner says

      July 30, 2010 at 11:37 pm

      Love this idea. Can you link it to our math links? It's a perfect math activity!

      Reply
    5. Phyllis says

      August 02, 2010 at 2:18 pm

      Adding up points for any game is always a good way for the little ones to practice addition and subtraction without them even realizing it!

      Reply
    6. An Almost Unschooling Mom says

      August 02, 2010 at 9:15 pm

      I love it! And, we already have the catapult, and pompoms on hand 🙂

      Reply
    7. Cathy at NurtureStore says

      August 10, 2010 at 10:23 pm

      Great idea - so simple to set up, but great fun. We drew a target on the wall with chalk in the winter and used snowballs to throw. I wondered if you might come and share an idea with our Play Academy on Fridays? http://nurturestore.co.uk/tag/the-play-academy-2

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Erica! I believe parents can stay sane without giving their kids an electronic device. Learn how!

    More about me →

    Newsletter

    Join over 15,000 subscribers who said "Yes! I want to unplug my kids!" We'll send you 10 waiting games your kids can play anytime, anywhere. Join here -->

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About the Site

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and join over 15,000 other families finding ways reduce screen time.

    Other Stuff

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

    Copyright © 2023 What Creative Media LLC

    Want Your Kids to Love Being Unplugged?
    Subscribe to our newsletter and as a thank you, receive 10 waiting games kids can play anytime anywhere.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    Want More Free Activity Ideas?
    Join our email list and as a thank you gift I'll send you a list of 10 waiting games that will make your kids smarter.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.
    Want your kids to love being unplugged?
    Join our newsletter and as a thank you, I'll send you a list of 10 waiting games.
    Your email will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party. Click here to view our privacy policy.