| Build, Play, and learn | | | | pieces, some sturdy rubber bands, and the axle |
| Catapult making is first of all a great hands-on | | | | from an old toy car. It also takes some wood |
| craft type project. And it is scalable because | | | | glue or screws and nails. This type of project is |
| there are great projects suitable for children from | | | | very rewarding and I recommend it for children |
| ages 5 to 25. I will go over some of these | | | | over the age of ten. It is also a project that will |
| project ideas by age group. Secondly there is the | | | | take most of a Saturday to make. But by the |
| play aspect to a catapult. Once it is completed it | | | | end of the day you should be firing it off. |
| does something. It is not a static project. You can | | | | For older kids in the teenager range and above |
| use it to create games or to send safe projectiles | | | | you could really take your project making to a |
| across the room or yard. Thirdly it is a learning | | | | weekend builder type project and make a |
| project. You can easily leverage it into a learning | | | | catapult that is as much as three to six feet in |
| process that explores the basics of engineering or | | | | size. This kind of project can be done with any |
| that delves into the history of the Middle Ages | | | | variety of materials ranging from wood to PVC |
| and siege engines. | | | | piping. With a project like this you could also delve |
| Three different projects depending on the | | | | a bit into some of the principles of engineering. |
| child’s age and skill level | | | | Making a catapult with a child is extremely |
| For younger children a Popsicle stick catapult is a | | | | rewarding because it covers so many different |
| perfect project to make. It is small, easy to | | | | creative areas. It is first of all a great hands-on |
| manage, and uses materials that children are | | | | type project with the added dimension of doing |
| familiar with. Seven sticks, a small piece of paper, | | | | something when it is completed. This makes it a |
| a rubber band, and some masking tape are all | | | | great creative toy where you can think up lots of |
| that you need. You can then expand this project | | | | little games you can use it for. Finally, catapult |
| into any variety of tabletop games where children | | | | making is a great way to introduce engineering |
| compete by sending small paper balls into or at | | | | skills and history lessons to a child. And this kind |
| various targets while keeping score. | | | | of a project is perfectly scalable in that you can |
| A great mid-level project, which takes a bit of | | | | tailor the type of project to the age of the child. |
| woodworking, is a tabletop sized catapult. A | | | | You also get the bonus of it being a fun project |
| project like this takes an assortment of wood | | | | for you too. Go ahead and have some fun! |