Ask Ollie
Spoon Catapult Target Range
Here's one to try together!
Build a pencil and spoon launcher, then test which tweak sends your paper ball flying farthest!
Reviewed by our team.
Safety first
- projectiles launched from catapult; use only soft paper balls
- never aim at anyone's face or people
- rubber bands can snap
- pencil points are sharp
What you need
- Painter's tape, a few strips
- Paper, 6 to 8 sheets, crumpled into balls
- Clear cups, 3
- Pencil, 3
- Plastic spoon, 1 or more
- Rubber bands, 2 or 3
How to do it
Grown-up prep: Check that the pencils and rubber bands are ready, and pick a clear floor space where nobody will walk into the line of fire.
- Tape a plastic spoon onto one end of a pencil.
- Make the pivot by binding two pencils together with a rubber band.
- Crumple your paper into soft balls.
- Set three cups on the floor, one, two and three steps away.
- Load a ball in the spoon, press down and let go! Ask: Which cup do you think this first shot will land in?
- Take five shots and add up your points.
- Slide the pivot closer to the spoon, then shoot again. Ask: Do you think the ball will fly farther or shorter now?
- Test one new change at a time, like how far you press down.
- Now challenge a friend or grown-up! What will your next catapult look like? Ask: What would you change on your catapult to make it even better?
Play it again
- Team relay: take turns, and each person gets one shot before the next player makes one change to the catapult.
- Moving targets: a helper slowly slides a cup along the floor while you time your shot.
- Mystery ball: crumple different paper sizes and guess which will fly farthest before you test them.
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