Water Balloon Catapult

Step 4 Try it out

Fill up some water balloons. Then, tie the ends of the tubing (they should both be on the same side) to a tree, pole, or anything else that is secured to the ground. You could also have a friend hold the ends. Next, have a friend hold the other side of the catapult, if you have a sturdy object close by, then you can attach it to that. Otherwise, the friend will do fine.

Next, set the balloon in the pocket and pull back on the handles of the pocket. Pull back as far as you can and let go! The balloon should fly pretty far. For best results, shoot the balloon at a 45 degree angle. If done right, the balloon shouldn't break and should fly pretty far.

For a better pocket, you can sew all of the seams with a heavy-duty zig-zag pattern. That will hold better and be more waterproof than duct tape, but the duct tape is much easier and quicker.

Comments

[ShNitZulll]

@backyardpyro217 that's because, assuming that they launched the balloon at less than the balloon's terminal velocity, the balloon would be going roughly the same speed at which it was launched when it landed.

[dsmith1]

Instead of the rag and duct tape pocket to hold the water balloon in, i used the top half of a coke bottle, and just roll the cut edge to stop the edge cutting the balloon and it strengthens the cup ring to attach the bungie cord to. Drill holes through the threaded end and thread a some cord through it to make a loop to pull back the balloon cup. These work awesome.

[adamnsmith]

can it shoot more than water balloons... like fire crackers?

[backyardpyro217]

what about grenades and molotovs? MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA! i actually know a guy who made this with a few of his buddies, they were able to launch a water balloon about two blocks and still take out a window XD