How to Make a Small Catapult

Make the base. Use craft glue to make a base that has the popsicle sticks glued together into a square shape. The first level of sticks should lay side by side until the first level is one popsicle stick wide. Coat the side of these popsicle sticks so that they face upwards.

Layer the second level of popsicle sticks on top of the first so that they are in the same pattern but lay crosswise so that the second layer crosses on top of the first layer on top of the square shape.

Make the upright supports. Glue two popsicle sticks together, side by side on top of each other. Glue a popsicle stick across the end of the two popsicle sticks so that it forms a base with the top of the "T" shape.

Glue another popsicle stick on the reverse side but at the same end of the two popsicle sticks. Get two more popsicle sticks and cut them in half. Glue the half sticks onto the T to support the main shaft of the T with the half sticks that attach the arms of the T. Let the glue dry.

Repeat the process to make another T shape. Flip both T shapes so that the arms form an inverted T shape. Glue both of these inverted T shapes onto the catapult with more craft glue two inches apart. Let the glue dry. Drill a hole at the tip of the inverted T that is a 1-centimeter from the edge.

Cut a 2-inch section from the middle of a popsicle stick so that there is not a rounded end attached to it. Turn this section on the thinnest edge and glue the ends of this wood to either inverted T at the inside. Glue the pieces together and let the glue dry.

Make the catapult arm. Glue three popsicle sticks so that they form a triangle with their cross section. Let the glue dry. Drill a hole 1/2-inch from the center, from one side to the other. Towards the same end of the triangular stick, drill a hole 1-centimeter from the tip.

Add the popsicle stick "spoon" to the catapult arm. Cut two trapezoids, with the two sides that are across from each other but not parallel so that they are sloped at a 45-degree angle. These two sides should be cut across the popsicle sticks and the two edges of the popsicle sticks that are parallel will also be the parallel edges of the popsicle stick. The lower parallel edge (that is thinner than the top) should be the width of a popsicle stick. Glue three sections of popsicle stick that are a 1/2-inch long onto the lower side of the trapezoid that is the width of a popsicle stick and on the two sides of the trapezoid that are non-parallel. This is the catapult basket.

Thread a coat hanger through the holes in the tips of the inverted T shapes and through the two holes that are just off center. The catapult arm should be threaded so that it is between the two inverted T shapes. Carefully bend the ends of the coat hanger wire so that the wire will not slip out through the holes. With the catapult arm threaded, glue on the trapezoid basket at the free end of the catapult (opposite the side with the holes). Make sure that you glue the basket so that it is on the side of the arm that faces up.

Attach a counterweight to the end of the popsicle stick. Thread a piece of dental floss through the two remaining hole in the catapult arm. Add weights in the form of a few heavy metal nuts, or whatever you have on hand that is appropriate to use. Thread the dental floss through the nuts and tighten it enough that the weights pull the catapult arm up to sling a marshmallow.

Add finishing touches. Glue buttons on for wheels. The buttons should have the centers drilled out. Attach the buttons by flat tipped screws glued onto the sides of the catapult base to use as axles. Add a loop of dental floss as a latching mechanism to hold the catapult in a "ready" position.

Pull back the catapult. Load the catapult with marshmallow. Release the catapult arm to fire the marshmallow.