I found a number of types of catapults using a wide range of materials. Some were really easy and others were really complicated. I decided on one that was easy and used materials that we already had at home I found on a site called Spaghetti Box Kids. (They actually have several easy and cool catapults on that site.)
Building a Paper Roll Catapult
They were:
- Newspaper
- Wooden Spoon (They recommended a tablespoon.)
- Rubber band
- Heavy Tape (They recommended masking tape.)
- Foam Sheets with Sticky Backs
- Small Beans
How did we put the catapult together?
- We rolled the newspaper into a cylinder long ways.
- We placed tape at both ends and the center to insure that it would stay rolled up.
- We placed the rubber band beneath the rolled newspaper at its center and pulled it to the top of the newspaper roll.
- I held the rubber bands in place and JDaniel slipped the spoon through both of the loops.
- Then we taped the roll to the floor to hold it in place. The Spaghetti Kids directions mentioned taping it to a place mat so you could move it around.
How did we put the flying hearts together?
- Small hearts were cut out of sticky backed foams sheets
- A heart was placed on the table sticky side up and the paper cover they sticky side was removed.
- A couple of small beans were placed in the center of it.
- A second heart with its sticky paper removed was placed neatly on top of it.
- We rubbed our fingers around the edges secure the edge and enclose the beans.
We tried the catapult on the floor and off the edge of a table. The handle of the spoon wasn’t able to be pushed down very far on the floor. The open space off the edge of the table allowed the handle a wide area to swing down into. We are able to really explore the handle (lever) and fulcrum (the roll of newspaper ads) from the table top. We also took time to explore the various names of the parts of the catapult we had built.
Emma @ P is for Preschooler says
This is so cool! We love catapults (somehow making things fly across the room is always entertaining!) and I’m totally into the Valentine theme too!
Lisa @ Two Bears Farm says
Catapults are always fun! What a cute idea.
Amber Hockman says
I *LOVE* this! :0)
Phyllis says
I love this and my boys, who are older than yours would love it, too. It will work in well with our studies, too.
OneMommy says
Can definitely see my little guy loving this idea! Pinned!
Sue says
I can’t imagine much that a boy would like better than a catapult!
=)
Tamara Camera says
What could be better than flying hearts? Scarlet is a bit obsessed with catapults, actually. Des is too but he tends to slam on them.
mail4rosey says
That’s one that looks every bit as fun to make as to play with too.
Barbara says
How fun! My boys would definitely love this!
Vicky @ Mess For Less says
What’s more fun for kids than stuff flying through the air? Great project!
katepickle says
OOoh my kids will love this! And so simple even I can make one!