Desktop Catapult With Storage

I teach a desktop weaponry class with middle school aged homeschoolers. I wanted to have them build a simple catapult with items they could most likely find around the house, but that also had storage in the base for ammo. This quick, fun project fits both those desires.

Happy building!

• 1-3 in x 1.25 in x 1 in cardboard jewelry box with removable lid
• 2-full length craft sticks
• 2-3/4 length craft sticks
• 6-1/2 length craft sticks (tip: cut 3 craft sticks in 1/2)
• 1-jumbo craft stick
• 1 Rubber Band
• 1 condiment cup
• Pencil top erasers or other small ammo
• Duct tape
• Glue gun and glue

Not pictured: scissors

Remove the lid from the box and place upside down. Glue the full sized craft sticks to the middle of the long side of the lid so they are pointing up. For the rest of the directions, these will be called the uprights.

Glue a 1/2 length craft sick at an angle, attaching it to the lid and the upright as shown. Do this to both sides.

1. Glue the remaining 1/2 length craft sticks together in a stack. Try to keep them as even as you can.
2. Glue the stack to one 3/4 length craft sick. Make sure they are in the middle of the longer stick and there is room on each side.

1. Glue the stack of supports to the uprights about 1 to 1 1/2 inches down from the top.
2. Glue the last 3/4 length stick to the other side of the uprights.

1. Put the bottom of the box into the lid.
2. Tear of a piece of Duct Tape about 3 inches long and sick the jumbo craft stick in the middle of the strip.
3. Cut along the sides of the sick making a flap with the tape on each side.
4. Tape the stick to the bottom of the box, allowing sick to hang off. The jumbo craft stick should be able to stand perpendicular to the box when lifted.

1. Prepare another piece of tape to make a hinge.
2. With the jumbo craft stick upright, attach the hinge to the box. The craft sick should now be able to freely lay down and stand up.

Glue the condiment cup to the end of the jumbo craft stick.

1. Stand up the jumbo craft stick and lean it against the supports.
2. Attach the rubber band. It should loop over the uprights and behind the jumbo craft stick and basket.
3. Lift the box and store your ammo.

Put your ammo in the basket, pull back on the jumbo craft stick, and let it go. If the rubber band is too loose and you'd like more power, wrap it around the uprights to tighten the band.