How to Make a Catapult from Popsicle Sticks

Learn to build a simple catapult using popsicle sticks and basic supplies for fun family engineering.

  1. Gather Your Materials. You'll need 10 popsicle sticks, 4-6 rubber bands, 1 plastic spoon, and a small piece of tape or hot glue (adults only for hot glue). Optional extras include a bottle cap or small paper cup for the launcher, and soft items to launch like marshmallows, pom-poms, or crumpled paper balls. Having scissors nearby can help trim rubber bands if needed.
  2. Create the Base Structure. Stack 7 popsicle sticks on top of each other. Wrap a rubber band tightly around one end of the stack, about half an inch from the edge. Wrap another rubber band around the opposite end the same way. This creates your catapult's sturdy base. Make sure the rubber bands are tight enough that the sticks don't slide around when you pick up the bundle.
  3. Build the Launching Arm. Take 2 popsicle sticks and place them together. Wrap a rubber band around one end only, leaving the other end free. This creates your launching arm. The rubber band should be about half an inch from the end, similar to your base structure. These two sticks will separate to create the catapult mechanism.
  4. Assemble the Catapult. Gently separate the stack of 7 sticks in the middle, creating a gap. Slide the launching arm (the 2 banded sticks) into this gap, with the rubber-banded end going in first. Push it through until about 2-3 inches stick out on the short side. The longer end will become your launching arm. Wrap a rubber band around everything where the launching arm meets the base, securing it tightly in an X-pattern.
  5. Attach the Launcher. Take your plastic spoon and attach it to the free end of the launching arm using tape or hot glue (adults should handle hot glue). Position the spoon so the bowl faces up when the arm is pulled down. If using a bottle cap instead, hot glue works better for a secure attachment. Make sure whatever you attach is firmly connected and won't fly off during use.
  6. Test and Adjust. Place a soft item like a marshmallow in the spoon. Hold the base firmly on a table and pull the launching arm down, then release quickly. The item should launch forward. If it doesn't work well, check that all rubber bands are tight and the launching arm moves freely. You can adjust the angle by changing where the launching arm sits in the base stack.