Wood

Get creative with these wooden craft ideas! With so much to see and do, take a peek at these activities to get you started!

Popstick Catapult

Ready. Aim. FIRE! Who knew Physics could be so much fun? Learn about force, accuracy, precision, and angles as you build a catapult and then try to launch bright balls into a cup!
  • Step 1Decorate 10 popsticks using coloured Markers.
  • Step 2Take 2 popsticks and use a rubber band to connect them together at one end.
  • Step 3Stack the remaining 8 popsticks on top of one another and connect them together at both ends with rubber bands.
  • Step 4Place the stack of 8 popsticks between the popsticks from step 2, pushing the stack down towards the middle. Use a final rubber band around all the popsticks to hold the stack in place.
  • Step 5Take a chenille stem and fold it in half. Place it so the middle fold is behind the end of the top popstick and then bring the ends up and around the top. Twist them together to hold it in place. Use the 2 long ends to then model a small, basket-like shape.
  • Step 6Cut some pieces of chenille stem and roll them into little ball shapes. Adult supervision is recommended when using scissors.
  • Step 7Decorate a paper cup using coloured markers. This will be the goal for aiming the chenille stem balls into.
  • Step 8Place a chenille stem ball into the basket of the catapult. Holding the base down with one hand, apply pressure to the raised end of the top popstick and release to launch! Experiment with angles and pressure to try and get the balls into the cup.
  • NEVER aim your catapult at other people especially at their face.

Materials used in this activity

Rubber Bands - Size 18 - 100g Pack
Optional
Product Code: 10653
EACH $5.49 (inc GST) $4.99 (ex GST)
5 or more $4.39 (inc GST) $3.99 (ex GST)          
Increase value Decrease value
Chenille Stems - Bright - Pack of 100
Optional
Product Code: 10825
EACH $7.69 (inc GST) $6.99 (ex GST)
5 or more $5.38 (inc GST) $4.89 (ex GST)          
Increase value Decrease value
Student Scissors - Pack of 20
Optional
Product Code: 10897
EACH $43.99 (inc GST) $39.99 (ex GST)
3 or more $32.99 (inc GST) $29.99 (ex GST)          
Increase value Decrease value
Product Code: 11085
EACH $5.49 (inc GST) $4.99 (ex GST)
Increase value Decrease value
CleverPatch Triangular Maxi Coloured Markers - Pack of 10
Optional
Product Code: 16523
EACH $10.99 (inc GST) $9.99 (ex GST)
10 or more $8.79 (inc GST) $7.99 (ex GST)          
Increase value Decrease value
Giant Popsticks - Natural - Pack of 100
Optional
Product Code: 17931
EACH $5.49 (inc GST) $4.99 (ex GST)
10 or more $3.84 (inc GST) $3.49 (ex GST)          
Increase value Decrease value