Let’s have a catapult competition! Kids of all ages will have a blast building various catapults and then testing them out in a competition to see whose catapult is best! Whose catapult will shoot the furthest? This is a fun STEM activity that makes learning fun. Young kids and older kids will learn about math, science, and engineering in a fun and understandable way. Try having a catapult competition at home or in the classroom!
Catapult Competition
So, how do we have a catapult competition? Where do we even start? Well, we start with building our own catapults. Don’t know how? That’s fine, we got you! We have a number of great designs that are easy to follow. You can build one or build them all!
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Related: We have 15 easy catapults to make with kids!
Build A Catapult
1. Simple Catapult With Popsicle Sticks
This simple catapult is made with craft sticks, rubber bands, and a milk cap. It isn’t the biggest catapult, but it is sure to pack a punch!
2. Lego Brick Catapult
This catapult is a little more complex and requires LEGOs and rubber bands. But we have a step by step tutorial showing you how to put this LEGO catapult together.
3. Wooden Spoon and Paper Towel Roll Catapult
Save your paper towel roll tubes, grab a wooden spoon, and some rubber bands, because we have another design for a catapult that is gonna send things flying!
4. Wooden Spoon and Toilet Paper Roll Catapult
This catapult is similar to the paper towel roll one, but instead it uses toilet paper rolls. Do you think it’ll make a difference? It might!
Catapult Kits For Kids
Don’t wanna gather a bunch of parts and pieces? We get it! There are also catapult kids you can get and test out in a competition too. Or test them out against the homemade catapults!
5. Catapult Engineering Kit
This engineering kit actually comes with a few things you can build, but it does come with everything you need to build a catapult. It even includes foam balls for you to shoot.
6. Mini Catapult Kit
This is great for classrooms, or just because, everyone will be able to make a mini catapult and you’ll be able to test it against everyone else’s!
7. STEM Catapult Kit
This is a science kit that will let you build a plastic catapult. It’s a little more work to put together, but super cool nonetheless.
8. Medieval Catapult Kit
This is a very simple catapult kit, but it’s cool because it’s modeled after the original medieval catapults!
How To Have A Catapult Competition
Setting up your competition is super easy. All you need is:
Step 1
Make a catapult. Once you have made your catapult it’s time to set up your competition.
Step 2
Make a line using the tape so everyone can set up their catapult in the same spot.
Step 3
Grab your ammo and one at a time shoot your ammo.
Step 4
When it lands, grab your measuring tape. Have one person hold one end by your catapult. Then walk out with it until you reach your ammo. Write down your score (inches) in the notebook.
Step 5
Repeat until everyone has gone! Whoever’s catapult shoots the furthest win!
Variations Of This Catapult Competition To Make It More Interesting
Change up what you are using. Maybe the first round you guys use cotton balls, then pom poms, then marshmallows etc.
Everyone use something different each round to see which item works the best out of all of them!
Trade up catapults and see if someone else putting different pressure on it makes a difference.
Make sure you write down all of your findings!
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Which catapult did you build? Which one won the catapult competition? Let us know!
