This DIY catapult is simple to make from materials you can fish out of your recycling bin. It was a fun indoor activity for us on a rainy Friday afternoon.
I first attached a piece of cardboard to foam core board with some duct tape. Foam core board is sometimes used in packaging. If you don't have any, search around for some thicker board or try several layers of cardboard. I taped a stiff cardboard tube (must be sturdy, a regular paper towel role is too flimsy) at the midpoint. I glued a milk bottle top to one end.
Kiddo loved using it to catapult tin foil balls and pom poms across the room. Â Later on we set up an area for target practice, complete with a bull's eye with point values.
"This is fun!, he said over and over while I sneaked away to enjoy my cup of tea in peace (sort of).
At one point, I said "Bombs Away!" when he shot another ball across the room. Since Kiddo has probably not heard that expression before he started shouting what Mom thought was "Barnes and Nobles!", but was actually, "Barnes N No Balls!"
Raising a Happy Child says
Love it - we just saw an episode of Sid the Science Kid about a lever. Anna will enjoy it a lot!
Fiona says
My girls would love this. What a great (and very simple) idea 🙂
Emma says
How did you attach the tube to the cardboard? This is so cool and I definitely want to try it for my 4-year-old!
Erica MomandKiddo says
I used duct tape. Very easy. It's an extra sturdy tube - stronger than a paper towel roll, though that might work, too.