STEM Catapult for Kids: How To Easily Make (with Fun Ideas & Video)
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This STEM catapult for kids is an awesome activity that's perfect for boosting creativity and science fun.
This hands-on activity is simple and only requires a few materials. I've used this science experiment with all of my boys over the years and love to see all the different ways that they adapt and use it.
I'm sharing our experiences (plus tips and ideas for variations) with building this DIY catapult for kids. Get ready for some cool challenges that you can enjoy for science, brain breaks, and more!
Related: Have a blast with these 20 engineering activities to make learning fun for kids!
STEM Activities Can Be Fun and Frugal!
Are you looking for easy ways to help your kids enjoy screen-free activities? Or maybe you'd like some engaging hands-on experiments for your students to enjoy?
Well, this simple STEM catapult is a sensational way to take your science fun to the next level!
STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) has become a popular educational trend in recent years. There's been a big push towards incorporating these themes more and more into learning experiences.
In our homeschool, I have a relaxed approach. Each year, I make sure to cover the subjects required by our state. With the extra time left in our homeschool day, I work with my boys to include a mix of activities that reflect their interests and that I believe are important (like financial literacy and growth mindset skills).
Although my boys all have different interests and preferences, I love how we've been able to cover a variety of extracurricular activities, as well as important themes like STEM.
As I prepare for another year of homeschooling (year 14!), I'm reflecting on activities that my older boys have enjoyed and making plans to replicate that success with my younger ones.
Initially, I'll go through this STEM catapult activity step-by-step with my younger boys. Later (for a brain break or rainy day fun), I'll provide them with the materials and challenge them to think outside of the box for making a creative catapult. It'll be exciting to see how they make their DIY catapults - and what they launch!
Suggested Supplies for Your STEM Catapult for Kids
You will only need a few materials for this activity. I encourage you to have these supplies ready to go so you'll be all set for science fun with kids. It's a smart idea to have extra supplies available if making with more than one child.
Also, take a look in your craft storage area. What are some other items that your students could use to try to make a DIY catapult? After following the instructions for this catapult, put those materials out and see what your children can come up with!
- 9 wood craft sticks (popsicle sticks)
- 5 small rubber bands
- plastic spoon
- pom poms
Perfect Stix Wooden Poplar Wood Craft Sticks. Jumbo Size, 6 x ¾, Wood, Natural Poplar Wood, 500Ct. Multipurpose Craft, Popsicles, Waxing, Arts and Crafts.BAZIC Rubber Bands Assorted, 227g/0.5 lbs, MulticolorDipoo 6.8HEHALI 1000pcs Multicolor Pom Pom Balls, Assorted Sizes & Colors Pompoms for Arts and Craft Making Decorations
How to Make This Easy STEM Catapult
Follow these step-by-step directions to build your own catapult. I've included both pictures and video to make it as easy as possible to create. If you have any questions though, please let me know in the comment area at the bottom of the post!
01
Gather your supplies
Collect and organize your STEM catapult supplies.
02
Secure spoon to stick
Place the plastic spoon onto one of the wood craft sticks. Secure it with two rubber bands.
03
Add another wood craft stick
Place another popsicle stick (wood craft stick) under the popsicle stick and spoon. Secure it with another rubber band.
04
Stack other wood craft sticks
Take the remaining wood craft sticks and stack them. Secure the stack with two rubber bands, one on each end.
05
Build the base of your catapult
Slip the stack of wood craft sticks between the other 2 wood craft sticks.
06
Prepare to launch!
Add a pom pom (or other small object) to the spoon. Draw the spoon down and release.
Creative Ideas for Using This DIY Science Activity
You can easily boost this frugal activity with some of outside the box thinking. Chat with your kids and listen to their ideas for ways to tweak this experiment.
If you're working with multiple students (or want to save time), I suggest that you prepare the materials in advance. Place the wood craft sticks, rubber bands, and plastic spoon in a clear storage bag or other easy-to-open container. Jot down the instructions in list form on an index card and place in bag.
⭐ If you're doing this STEM activity around toddlers (or any child that likes to put small objects in their mouth), be very careful to track where the objects land. Quickly pick up and keep out of reach of small children!!
Brainstorm different materials that can be used for fun launches. A few ideas include:
- marshmallows
- small candies (like M&Ms)
- mini-erasers
- small rubber balls
- cotton balls
- small playdough balls
- jingle bells
- pony beads
- wood beads
- acorns
- pumpkin seeds
- sunflower seeds
⭐ Use your DIY catapult in a large cardboard box to contain the small objects. OR to see if you can launch the objects outside of the box!
Resources for Learning About The Science Behind Catapults
Extend all of this hands-on learning fun and discover the history and science behind catapults (and trebuchets). Books, games, and science kits are wonderful ways to boost your activity.
The Art of the Catapult: How to Build Ballistae, Trebuchets, and More Ancient ArtilleryIELLO: Catapult Feud Game - Ready, Aim... Launch The Catapults! 2 Player Game, Strategy Board Game, Knock Down All Your Opponent's Troops to Win, for Ages 7 and upThames & Kosmos Catapult Engineering STEM Maker Kit, Build 6 Models of Unique Medieval Machines, Explore Mechanical Physics, includes Safe Foam Balls & Soft-Tipped Projectiles, Suitable for Ages 8+NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Da Vinci Model Kit - Catapult Kit for Kids, 3D Puzzle Building Toy for Boys and Girls, Wood Building Kit for Kids, A Great STEM Project, Engineering Model Kit (Amazon Exclusive)
Let Your Science Fun Spring Into Action!
WooHoo! It's time to have a blast with making catapults! These creative activities are SO much fun for kids and can be adapted in so many ways.
Do you have any questions about making these STEM catapults? And what are your ideas for tweaking or small objects to launch? Please share in the comments area at the bottom of this post!