Build A Craft Stick Catapult With Your Kids. Summer Fun Tutorial

Are you looking for something both fun and frugal to do with your kids for a summer activity?
Something that would occupy hours of family fun and guarantee laughter, all while not draining the family bank account? If you are, you are not alone. Many families find themselves in this predicament over summer. This is the time when families are supposed to have fun together. Besides having fun with my children, I am always trying to come up with activities for children at our community center as well. Building this inexpensive catapult definitely was a big hit with all the children of varying ages who built one. This toy brought hours of fun to many. I am sharing this here so that you can build one too.

What you need:
Tongue depressor's or craft sticks (we used 8 for each catapult)
Rubber bands
Plastic soda or water bottle cap
Hot Glue or glue to attach plastic lid to catapult. (We used hot glue because it was faster )

Optional:
Something to use in the catapult as ammunition (we used a small plastic bird that resembles those other birds that are so angry)
Markers and/or items of choice to decorate your catapult

Directions:
Begin by putting 2 craft sticks together. Rubber band only one end together.

Next, stack 6 sticks one on top the other. Rubber band the stack together at each end.

Slide the stack of 6 inside the initial 2 sticks so that the 2 sticks are spit apart. Slide the stack in to the
banded side of the two sticks.
Next, use a rubber band to attach the set of two sticks together at the center point of where they connect or intersect.

Using hot glue (or craft glue if you prefer) attach the bottle cap to the top of the open end of the two sticks.

**Please do not allow children to use or operate a hot glue gun. This should be done by adults only!

Use markers or any other items you like to decorate your catapult. As you can see, we used markers and glued a feather to the end.
We placed our bird in the cap. You might choose to use another item for ammo such as an eraser,marshmallow or even crumpled paper.
To fire your catapult, place your ammo of choice in the bottle cap. Push down on the end and release. Remember to wear safety glasses and to shoot in only one direction.

If your catapult doesn't shoot in the direction you like or shoots too high, you can adjust the position of the craft stick bundle to change the direction of your fired ammo. 

*You will need some item to stack up so that your catapult can knock it down. We used stacked wooden blocks. You may stack all sorts of items, such as plastic action figures or small plastic cups, etc. Shoot to knock down stacks of something or aim to land in a small waste basket.

The children built lots of catapults and had hours of fun. This is a great summer project.

Have fun building your catapult.
Thanks for visiting my blog today.