DIY: Popsicle Catapult
Full-sized catapults were meant to toss large objects over castle or fort walls during wars or feuds, and were constructed out of larger timbers and wooden planks. If you are teaching children about medieval weaponry, you can make the lessons more interesting by showing the kids how to make their own catapults out of Popsicle sticks. These catapults will not be able to hurl larger stones, but will instead hurl cotton balls or paper wads.
Instructions
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1
Lay three Popsicle sticks into a triangular form on a table top, and overlap the ends slightly. Tape the overlapped ends in place using duct tape. Repeat this process two more times so that you have three triangle with overlapping ends.
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2
Tape two of the overlapped triangles together along one side. Before you tape them together, splay the triangles out at a 60 degree angle.
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3
Push the third overlapped triangle in between the other two to create a form that resembles a pyramid with one side missing. Tape the form in place with duct tape.
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4
Place two craft sticks into a line, overlapping the sticks by 1 inch. Tape the sticks together with duct tape.
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5
Insert the doubled Popsicle stick into the area of the pyramid form where all of the triangles meet. Adjust the doubled stick so that is hangs at a 45 degree angle, and tape the corner in place with duct tape.
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6
Tape a small paper cup onto the end of the double Popsicle sticks. Place a small object inside the cup.
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7
Loop a rubber band around the cup, then loop it around the top of the pyramid form. Pull back the cup and release it to hurl the object.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
