Mini Catapult Projects for Kids

Catapults - a classic and exciting engineering project that introduces students to fundamental ideas in physics and engineering like energy transformation, trajectory, and structural strength.

You can find the lesson plan, 1-page project sheet, and more project ideas at STEM-Inventions.com

Step 1: Materials

The Engineering Creation Kit has everything you need for this project and many more from STEM Inventions.

• Craft sticks
• Craft cubes (Bulk pack)
• Craft cubes with hole (Bulk pack)
• 1/8" dowels
• Small cup
• Rubber bands
• Hot glue with safety nozzle
• Hot glue sticks
• Masking Tape

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Step 2: Class 3 Catapult

To fire:

• Load the projectile
• Firmly hold down the front of the catapult
• Pinch the cube under the basket and pull down, then release

Step 3: Class 1 Catapult

To fire:

• Load the projectile
• Hold down the base from inside the support structure
• Firmly and quickly press on the lever. Do not strike the lever with a fist or other object or the hinge may break

Step 4: Slingshot

To fire:

• Load the projectile
• Firmly hold the front of the slingshot, or grasp the front of the slingshot as shown in the video
• Pull back on the sling and release

Step 5: Advanced Ideas

A straightforward advancement of the Catapult project is to add two baskets instead of one.

A wacky design, dubbed the Confused Catapult, incorporates two catapult arms onto one frame. Making catapult arms of different lengths allows the user to enjoy a wider range of trajectory options.

Comments

[andriustam30]

This is awsome for my students and they loved trying these out. Absolutely astounding.

[Plague Entertainment]

Hi, I know I'm late but I need help for my slingshot, it isn't able to shoot, I think it's because it's to close or something please help.

[LanceMakes]

Looks like you need to make the sling to hold a projectile. You can find more details here as well: https://www.madeforsteam.com/slingshot

[noles]

this is really cool

i wish it was buyable

[olgamawougbe]

Hi - could you please list the materials for the catapult? For some reason the materials list shows up like this on this page:

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Thank you!

[olgamawougbe]

Hi - could you please list the materials for the catapult? For some reason the materials list shows up like this on this page:

{"context":{"you-image":{},"spinner":{"jQuery110202310703694010483":521},"location":{"href":"https://www.instructables.com/editInstructable/publish/EF6GG4YH173P8OO","origin":"https://www.instructables.com","protocol":"http:","username":"","password":"","host":"www.instructables.com","hostname":"www.instructables.com","port":"","pathname":"/editInstructable/publish/EF6GG4YH173P8OO","search":"","hash":""},"jQuery110202310703694010483":1,"gtmHasClickListenerTag":true,"b":{"sizzle-1444572116521":{"parentNode":["9933 46",149]}},"h":{}},"selector":"#editor-Object-185"}

Thank you!

[LanceMakes]

Thanks for asking - I've added a materials section

[dantey8a]

This is one of the things I have to do for a project that's due I think in 3 weeks, better get started.I think I'm gonna go with the slingshot my personal tool of mischief (^w^)

[dantey8a]

where do I find the instructions for the slingshot?

[Robzikshi]

Love it

[JenH1]

Awesome! the projectiles really fly far!

[bdoorah]

i love all your projects. It's really awesome.do you teach simple machicens in your projects? pleas give me a hint. i am trying to figure it out :-(

[cskinner7]

Love all of these! Made them all in preparation for a class I am teaching. I figured out how to modify the Lever-pult into Torsion catapult by gluing regular cubes at the pivot point to your frame, and gluing drilled cubes below them. You can string a loop of nylon string through both holes (and the holes on the swing arm) and hold them with 1/2 craft sticks on both sides: Wind them up and you get a powerful torsion launch.

Also working on gravity swinging catapult and a trebuchet based on your framework. Pictures to come.

[LanceMakes]

Hey, glad to hear that you've made good use of these lessons. I'd love to see some pictures of how you redesigned!

[kurtwied]

all your projects are awesome!!:) i'm going to show my friends. where do you get the cubes you use? do you get them in large or small amounts?

[LanceMakes]

Thank you! You can buy the cubes here:

http://www.americanwoodcrafterssupply.com/catalog/?blocks&show=category&productCategoryID=6005&productCategoryIDs=6005

[PoisonDartFrog]

To get corks, do you just save them from bottles or do you by them en masse from somewhere?

[kurtwied]

i buy them at hobby lobby.

[kurtwied]

this is awesome!

[kevmcd]

Quite simply splendid!