EASY Popsicle Stick Catapult – STEM Activities for Kids

I honestly did not know that a few popsicle sticks, rubber bands and a bottle cap would shoot marshmallows as far as it did! I was so surprised. You’ve got to try this EASY engineering and science project making a Popsicle Stick Catapult! This craft stick catapult is a fun, hands-on STEM project for kids only uses a couple simple materials you already have at home. This is such a fun popsicle catapult is fun for preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, and 4th graders too 

Popsicle Stick Catapult

Catapults were first used in Greece at around 400 BC. Although they are much larger than this Popsicle Stick Catapult version, the concept is the same. Catapults were used in war because of its power of destruction. This catapult out of popsicle sticks is super simple to make and only needs a few supplies that you may even have at home already. Try making a popsicle catapult as a fun science project for preschoolers, kindergartners, grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, grade 4, grade 5, and grade 6 students.  Whether you are a parent, teacher, or homeschooler, this powerful popsicle stick catapult is sure to be a hit!

Popsicle Catapult

To make this popsicle catapult you only need the following simple materials:

• Large Popsicle Sticks
• Rubber bands
• Hot Glue & Gun
• Water Bottle Lid

Catapults for Kids

The first thing we did is stack 5 popsicle sticks on top of each other and secure with rubber bands on each side. Next, place a popsicle stick perpendicularly on top of the stack of popsicle sticks and one on the bottom. Secure these on one end, making a v shape around the stack. Next secure with crossing rubber bands. If you can see from the picture, we made an x with two different rubber bands in the center.

Next we hot glued a water bottle cap to the top popsicle stick on the opening of the V.  You’re ready for catapulting.

Craft Stick Catapult

You can shoot a variety of things from your craft stick catapult from mini marshmallows, pompoms, small candy, etc. We decided to shoot marshmallows and make it a marshmallow catapult like one of our favorite books – Marshmallow Incident. 

I was super surprised how far the marshmallows flew. Also how high they went. I know catapults were powerful back in the day, but I had no idea how powerful this little one would be.

Stem Project for Kids

Another option is to give kids the materials and have them design and fashion their own diy catapult. THen see whose will send the marshmallow cannon balls the farthest!

Physical Science Experiment for Kids

So now that you know this will be a fun project with a little history mixed into it, did you know that it is also a lesson in physics?

The science behind a catapult motion is that when you bring back the top of the catapult, with the marshmallow ready to fire, you are creating stored energy. This stored energy is what is used to hurl the piece (the marshmallow). This uses both tension and gravity for this motion. Super fascinating, isn’t it?

Science for Kids

Looking for lots more fun, science experiments for kids? You’ve GOT to try some of these outrageously fun science experiments for kids! We have so many fun, creative and easy science experiments for elementary age children:

• 100 Amazing Food science experiments for kids – arranged by type of science
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• 24 Epic Solar system science projects to try this week
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• 50 Fun Preschool science experiments the whole family will want to try
• Simple Galaxy science project
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• Easy-to- make Air pressure science project
• Amazing POP rocks science experiment is one of our all-time favorite science experiments we like to do during the summer are
• Stunning Chromatography Flowers are so pretty you’ll forget it was as science project!
• How to Make a Lava Lamp – super easy and SO cool!
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• Easy, fascinating, and colorful project answering Why do Leaves Change Color Experiment

• Free Printable Animal Classifications for Kids Cootie Catchers
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• HUGE Free Solar System Unit (coloring pages, hands on science projects, worksheets, and more!)
• Pipe Cleaner Constellation Activity (As seen on Good Housekeeping!)
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• Amazing, Heat Sensitive,  Color Changing Slime
• Life Cycles for Kids (from penguin to sunflower and spider to turkey we have LOTS of life cycles to explore and learn about)
• EASY, Colorful Oil and Water Science Experiment
• Kids will be amazed as you change colors of white flowers with this Dying Flowers Science Experiment
• This super cool Lego Zipline is fun and simple to make
• Human Body Project
• Check out this super cool look INSIDE a Volcano Project
• Exploding Watermelon – science experiment that explores potential and kinetic energy with a big WOW moment!
• Memorable Life Size Skeletal system science project – includes free printable template
• Find LOTS more Easy Science Experiments for kids of all ages!