Hands on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities can get kids thinking critically while having fun. One of the simplest and coolest ways to see engineering in action is by making catapults for kids.
It’s a STEM activity you can play with again and again!
Making a catapult is fun but don’t stop there!
We’ve partnered with Sylvan Learning to help parents and kids develop their critical thinking and problem solving skills with fun STEM activities. We took some of the principles taught in the Sylvan EDGE classes and used them to explore STEM ideas with catapults.
Head over to their blog to see how kids can learn about force, levers, simple machines and more while sharpening their critical thinking skills–you won’t believe how fun it is!
Thanks to Sylvan Learning for sponsoring this post and encouraging hands-on STEM fun!
Don’t let the fun and discovery stop there!
We have TONS of science experiments your kids will love on our Super Cool Science Experiments for Kids page!
Take me to the experiments –> Super Cool Science Experiments for Kids
Tracy says
Megan I just love this post! I’m drinking my morning coffee and praying I have a few popsicle sticks and rubber bands in the kitchen! (maybe I can make and play catapult before the kids wake up!)
Megan Sheakoski says
We get ours out every single day!!!! I hope you found rubber bands and popsicle sticks!!!
Fabiola says
How many Popsicle sticks in total?
Megan Sheakoski says
You can start with 10 for a simple design! If you go to the Sylvan post linked above there are full directions. 🙂
Lori says
What are the little cups you use to hold the pom-poms at the business end of the catapult?
Nancy says
What is the ring holding the Pom Pom in place?
Megan Sheakoski says
It’s a plastic bottle cap, but anything similar will work!
Kim says
Making these with our home school group tomorrow! Thank you so much for sharing!!
Kaitlin says
How did you hold the bottle cap on the catapult?
Megan Sheakoski says
You can hot glue it on!
Kim says
Can I use hair ties instead of the rubber bands?