How to Build a Catapult That Shoots 50 Yards

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Things You'll Need

  • Wooden block, 6-by-2-by-1-inches

  • Springed clothes pin

  • Cube of wood

  • Popsicle stick

  • Cap from a plastic bottle

  • Wood glue

Create a modern catapult!

Catapults were used to tear down castle walls in the middle ages. Create your own mini-version of a catapult and shoot things far into the distance. Make your own catapult with a 50-yard range and build your own homemade "medieval rocket launcher," although not as dangerous. Make one from bits and bobs you find around the house. Once you build a catapult that shoots 50 yards, pick up a ping pong ball and aim, set, fire!

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Step 1

Take the 6-inch wooden block and lie it on a flat surface.

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Step 2

Glue a clothes pin to the wooden block. Center it lengthwise.

Step 3

Attach the bottle lid to the end of the Popsicle stick. Leave enough space to push it down before firing your catapult.

Step 4

Place a ping pong ball on top of your bottle lid and test your catapult. Measure the distance it fires. It should reach up to 50 yards but, if not, find a large clothes peg and a separate spring to attach underneath to create more elasticity.

Step 5

Paint your catapult.

Tip

Use different-sized springs to create a longer catapult distance.

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