Your kids will be thrilled when you suggest an indoor snowball fight in the middle of summer. But it's true – building this snowball catapult is a fantastic way to enjoy a safe, indoor snowball fight that will keep them entertained on hot or rainy days when you're stuck inside. Plus, it's a wonderful STEM project!
This activity involves a bit of simple engineering to create your own snowball-throwing machine (aka catapult). Once built, the kids can start launching their 'snowballs'.
There’s plenty of room for experimentation and creativity with this project. Here are some ideas:
❄️ Have a snowball fight
❄️ Create your own snowball obstacle course
❄️ Compete in snowball races
❄️ Aim for each other!
❄️ See who can launch the 'snowball' the furthest
Whatever you decide to do with your snowball catapult, you’re sure to have a blizzard of fun!
Parents will enjoy this project too, as we discovered. So, let's get building!
What you need:
- 5 or more craft sticks
- 3 rubber bands
- 1 plastic spoon
- A supply of cotton balls or pom poms
Directions:
1. Take four sticks and stack them together, securing one end with a rubber band. Wrap the rubber band around several times to ensure it's tight. You can adjust your throwing distance by adding more sticks to the stack at this step.
2. Insert the last stick between the bottom stick and the rest of the stack, ensuring it protrudes on both sides. It should resemble a plus (+) sign.
3. Fasten the other end of the stack with a rubber band.
4. Align the spoon (on top of the stack) with the single stick. Secure the end of the spoon to one end of the single stick using the last rubber band. Make sure it's nice and tight!
5.Launch away! Place the cotton ball or pompom on the spoon and launch away! (To fire, press down gently on the tip of the spoon and release.)
