How to Make Paper Catapults

This is a version of a catapult similar to something that you might find during the Middle Ages.

The history of the catapult for use in battle originates with the engineers commissioned by Phillip of Macedonia who built the first ballista, or two-armed catapult. However, when it comes to children, building catapults out of paper is an appropriate activity when following up lessons on medieval history which kids will surely enjoy. Nevertheless, you have to tell kids that their catapults are only for outside of class and they are not to use them to hurt each other.

Things You'll Need

• Construction paper
• Tape
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Lay your construction paper in front of you horizontally. Fold it in half from top to bottom, making a long horizontal crease through the middle of the paper.

2. Fold the paper in half again two more times. You now have a long, skinny rod of paper.

3. Fold the paper in half from top to bottom so that your skinny rod is half as long. Fold it in half again.

4. Unfold the last crease you just made so that your rod of paper is in an "L" shape.

5. Pull free a piece of tape from your roll of tap and wrap it around the right angle at the base of the crease. Keep rolling the tape around the piece of paper, working your way to the outer crease. Your goal is to wrap tape around half of the paper rod.

6. Cut away the excess tape. Lay the untaped portion of your catapult flat against the table with the taped portion upright and vertical.

7. Pull the taped portion towards yourself and release it to test its hurling capabilities. Adjust the flaps of the bottom portion as necessary.

References

• Youtube: Simple Paper Catapult
• Medieval Castle Seige Weapons: Catapults