The Poong Stick ("Whistling Stick")

 by Kiteman
Featured

This is a neat, and very quick little toy that I first came across on the "Happy Scientist" website.

A couple of minute's work, and you have a toy to keep the kids happy, a fun craft activity or a hook for a fascinating science lesson.  For the moment, though, what you have is an entry for the Toy Challenge, and probably the cheapest and quickest at that.



 
Remove these adsRemove these ads by Signing Up

Step 1: Materials and tools

DSCF2891.JPG
All you need is a flat, thin piece of wood and something to carve it with.

I have successfully used lollipop sticks, tongue depressors, coffee stirrers and chip forks.

I guess it doesn't have to be wood, but it does need to be fairly rigid.
1-40 of 62Next »
Kiteman (author) says: Jul 23, 2011. 11:56 AM

Poong Stick merchandise is now available from The Complete Kiteman.
chubawabu says: Apr 14, 2012. 6:40 PM
amazing instructable.
Kiteman (author) in reply to chubawabuApr 15, 2012. 1:04 AM
Thank you.
coppertop8 says: Mar 31, 2012. 11:25 AM
Is it sad that I'm so entertained by this?
Kiteman (author) in reply to coppertop8Mar 31, 2012. 12:54 PM
Not at all!
iamdmc says: Mar 10, 2012. 5:20 PM
WOW! this is very fun! I used a popsicle stick and it worked! it has a range of noises, from medium high to very low. THANKS KITEMAN!!!!!!
Kiteman (author) in reply to iamdmcMar 11, 2012. 1:52 AM
You're very welcome!
thomasthetankengine says: Jun 7, 2011. 4:56 PM
Awesome! Making one right now. I have the materials in front of me. Could I use an X-acto knife?
Kiteman (author) in reply to thomasthetankengineJun 8, 2011. 1:27 AM
Of course. Just remember to shave rather than hack.
thomasthetankengine in reply to KitemanJun 8, 2011. 1:55 PM
Awesome! Thanks ;) made one..It's pretty simple but it still makes that awesome sound! Glad you could help me. Maybe a mass-produced version will pop up someday? –Thomas
yellowcatt in reply to thomasthetankengineMar 8, 2012. 11:17 AM
Should not be too hard to mass produce, just need to get a cutting die made and find someone with a clicker press.
http://www.clickerpress.co.uk/
Kiteman (author) in reply to thomasthetankengineJun 8, 2011. 3:33 PM
Ha, imagine a sweat-shop full of kids eating popsicles and then shaving the sticks...

thomasthetankengine in reply to KitemanJun 10, 2011. 4:17 PM
Lol =P Ice cream shops might be strangely crowded after this 'ible...and whats a sweat-shop? Haha...I was at an international Future Problem Solvers competition over the weekend. Met kids from all over the world..England, Singapore, Malaysia, etc. It was in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Way to represent America, FPS. Lol ;) I will tell you what place I get out of the world. I was inly competing against 23 other kids and I got 1st for the State Bowl. I will probably get something good..it will mean I'm the __ best FPSer in the whole world for my age group. Yay! Sorry for the long comment...you probably wouldn't normally listen to an American 12 year old for this long haha jk.
Redstormx1 says: Feb 23, 2012. 12:21 AM
These were used before the computer for sounds effects..

What happens if u attack a string to the end and just spin it around and around
Kiteman (author) in reply to Redstormx1Feb 23, 2012. 2:25 AM
I guess it would be a bull-roarer?
demmons1212 says: Dec 7, 2011. 5:08 AM
nice man nice
Kiteman (author) in reply to demmons1212Dec 8, 2011. 12:21 PM
Thank you.
NE patsrock says: Jul 23, 2011. 11:51 AM
these things r amazing
Kiteman (author) in reply to NE patsrockJul 23, 2011. 11:52 AM
Thank you!
NE patsrock in reply to KitemanJul 23, 2011. 12:52 PM
ya theyre so addicting i play with then for hours in my room but y6our fingers start to hurt when you snap tham
batonas in reply to NE patsrockOct 6, 2011. 5:09 AM
use some sand paper to round it up
Kiteman (author) in reply to NE patsrockJul 23, 2011. 1:10 PM
Mind you don't get blisters...
NE patsrock in reply to KitemanJul 23, 2011. 1:52 PM
haha ya
jphillips15 says: Sep 23, 2011. 4:16 PM
So, are you going to make these commercially? I can help you if you want. mr.jesse.phillips [at] the gmails
bluesquirrel says: Sep 23, 2011. 10:04 AM
I just whipped up a simple one of these in about 5 minutes. I have 74 more Popsicle/craft sticks to experiment with now. Time to see what I can to with these! :D
Kiteman (author) in reply to bluesquirrelSep 23, 2011. 10:30 AM
Have you seen this challenge?
jphillips15 says: Sep 22, 2011. 6:02 PM
holy crap. Best thing ever!
scarabeetle101 says: Aug 21, 2011. 3:25 PM
I love these. I saw this 'ible on holiday but didn't get a chance to follow it until today. When I made mine it struck me that these would make fantastic business cards! Mind if I use this?
Kiteman (author) in reply to scarabeetle101Aug 21, 2011. 3:31 PM
Go ahead!

Post a photo of them, if you can (you might want to blur any personal data, though).
Gunfreak2300 says: Jul 20, 2011. 1:25 PM
Step 1: Make this
Step 2: Wait until a friend is asleep
Step 3: While asleep, whisper, "We're under attack from aliens!", and throw the stick, multiple times.
Step 4: Profit!
NE patsrock in reply to Gunfreak2300Jul 23, 2011. 11:51 AM
haha il try it
~•SMART•~ says: Jul 8, 2011. 4:11 PM
Awesome! Widdled and spray painted mine digital camo.
Kiteman (author) in reply to ~•SMART•~Jul 9, 2011. 3:04 AM
Cool, but I think you mean "whittled" - "widdle" is what puppies do on newspaper...

(Any chance of posting a picture?)
~•SMART•~ in reply to KitemanJul 9, 2011. 4:36 PM
Yes, I'll post one as soon as I can find it, they fly everywhere!
kelcylane says: Jul 7, 2011. 9:02 PM
!!!! i want to make these and teach my friends how to use them and give them to my friends at my birthday because that would be awesome!
Kiteman (author) in reply to kelcylaneJul 8, 2011. 12:48 PM
Cool!

You could even give them to friends who live away, because they'll fit in an envelope!

Science Swine says: Jun 24, 2011. 7:55 AM
Congratulations on number one hit on google for this!
Kiteman (author) in reply to Science SwineJun 24, 2011. 8:57 AM
Thanks!
bonnie13 says: Jun 24, 2011. 7:49 AM
I love the traditional toys, especially those using objects around the house. Some of the other projects are from original ideas and required more time and effort to design them.
dlcain says: Jun 22, 2011. 9:30 PM
Kiteman: These are a lot of fun. I just had my scouts make some of these. For some of them this was their first time carving something, and loved making them. It was a great way to teach them how to be safe with a knife, and make something fun. You've got my vote when the time comes. Great job!
1-40 of 62Next »
Pro

Get More Out of Instructables

Already have an Account?

close

PDF Downloads
As a Pro member, you will gain access to download any Instructable in the PDF format. You also have the ability to customize your PDF download.

Upgrade to Pro today!