Instructions for a Mini Catapult

Craft catapults can be created using basic materials.

When sitting in your cubicle without any work to do, time can seem to stand still. One way to pass the minutes in a whimsical and exciting way is to start a catapult war with your fellow co-workers. You can construct a miniature catapult using office supplies that you have around your work desk, such as pencils. Once the catapult is complete, you can make one for each person near your desk, then shoot paper wads or cotton balls at each other.

Things You'll Need

• 10 unsharpened pencils
• Duct tape
• Rubber band
• Paper cup

Instructions

1. Place three unsharpened pencils into a triangle, and tape the corners together using duct tape to secure the pencils into a triangle. Repeat this process to create two more pencil triangles, totaling three triangles.

2. Place two of the pencil triangles together with one side touching, and separate the triangles 60 degrees apart. Tape the edges that are touching with duct tape.

3. Slide the third pencil triangle in between the other two, and tape all of the edges together to secure the three triangles into a pyramidal shape. Set the pyramid form onto a table top.

4. Place the last pencil into the corner where all three of the pencil triangles meet, and place the pencil in a 60 degree angle. Tape the corner to secure the pencil in place.

5. Tape a small paper cup onto the end of the pencil with the opening facing up.

6. Wrap a rubber band over the end of the pencil containing the cup, and over the top of the pyramid form. When you place on object into the cup, you can pull back the cup and let it go to launch the object.

References

• Storm the Castle: Popsicle Stick Catapult