Looking for a fun and educational activity to do with your kids? Catapult STEM Activity with Popsicle Sticks is a great way to teach your children about physics and engineering.

With this activity, they can learn how to build a catapult using popsicle sticks and then test it out by launching different objects.

Want more STEM ideas? See this list of STEM activities for kids.

Your kids will have a blast learning about science and engineering with this activity. They will also learn how to calculate the force needed to launch an object, and how to adjust their design accordingly.

Continue reading to know the simple steps to make this awesome DIY catapult!

catapult stem activity with popsicle sticks

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The Catapult STEM Activity

Catapults are a great way to teach the principles of physics, and they’re also a lot of fun to build and use.

This Catapult STEM Activity with Popsicle Sticks is a great project for kids of all ages. It’s simple to build, and it can be a lot of fun to test and adjust. The best part is that it’s cheap to make, so you won’t have to break the bank to do some serious STEM learning.

Recommended STEM Activity Books

Do you want more ideas about STEM Activities that your kids can do? Check out these awesome books to discover fresh ideas and activities for starters!

Science And Space Activity Book For Kids Ages 4-8: Learn About Atoms, Magnets, Planets, Organisms, Insects, Dinosaurs, Satellites, Molecules, Photosynthesis, DNA, Amoebas, And More!I Can Be a Math Magician: Fun STEM Activities for Kids (Dover Children’s Activity Books)STEM Activity Book: Science Technology Engineering Math: Packed with Activities and Facts (STEM Starters for Kids)Awesome Engineering Activities for Kids: 50+ Exciting STEAM Projects to Design and Build (Awesome STEAM Activities for Kids)STEM Starters for Kids Robotics Activity Book: Packed with Activities and Robotics Facts Awesome Kitchen Science Experiments for Kids: 50 STEAM Projects You Can Eat! (Awesome STEAM Activities for Kids)

DIY Catapult Supplies

Popsicle or craft sticks
Rubber bands
Plastic spoon
Small ball to fit inside the spoon

[200 Count] 4.5 Inch Wooden Multi-Purpose Popsicle Sticks for Crafts, ICES, & Ice Cream BAZIC 465 Multicolor Rubber Bands for School, Home, or Office (Assorted Dimensions 227g/0.5 lbs)LOMIMOS 300pcs 1 Inch White Foam Balls, Mini White Styrofoam Balls for Arts & Crafts DIY School Projects Making Supplies

Recommended STEM Activity Kits

If you want more STEM Activities to do with your kids, I have two more options! The first one is a STEM Draw Bot Kit which is a simple electrical engineering project that kids will love. The second one is a Hydraulic Elevator STEM Kit that is perfect for teaching kids how an actual elevator works.

Let’s get started!

Now that all are ready, we can start the Catapult STEM Activity by following these simple steps:

Get one craft stick and attach the spoon using two rubber bands making sure that the bend in the spoon handle is over the end of the craft stick.

The first rubber band must be placed at the base of the handle and the other one is about ½ inch – 1 inch from the end of the craft stick (depending on what size stick you are using).

2. Two rubber bands must secure 7 pieces of crafts sticks.

3. Attach another craft stick underneath the craft stick with the spoon using a rubber band.

catapult stem activity with popsicle sticks and a plastic spoon attached

4. Push the stack of 7 craft sticks gently between those two craft sticks that you just attached.

5. Your catapult is done! You can try it by placing a small ball into the spoon and pressing down on the tip of the spoon to launch.

You can download or print the instructions on How to create a Catapult STEM Activity with Popsicle Sticks below.

Catapult STEM Activity with Popsicle Sticks

This is an easy-to-follow STEM Activity using popsicle sticks and rubber bands. Kids will learn how to successfully engineer a catapult with these simple materials.

Materials

9 popsicles or craft sticks
5 rubber bands
1 plastic spoon
Small ball to fit inside the spoon (we used foam balls)

Instructions

1. Get one craft stick and attach the spoon using two rubber bands making sure that the bend in the spoon handle is over the end of the craft stick.

The first rubber band must be placed at the base of the handle and the other one is about ½ inch - 1 inch from the end of the craft stick (depending on what size stick you are using)

2. Next, two rubber bands must secure 7 pieces of crafts sticks.

3. Attach another craft stick underneath the craft stick with the spoon using a rubber band.

4. Push the stack of 7 craft sticks gently between those two craft sticks that you just attached.

5. Your catapult is done! You can try it by placing a small ball into the
spoon and pressing down on the tip of the spoon to launch.