Building Instructions for a Water Balloon Launcher

Making Your Launcher

• 1

  Drill a 1/2-inch hole in your funnel just below the wide lip.

• 2

  Drill another 1/2-inch hole on the opposite side of the funnel, just below the lip.

• 3

  Cut two 8-foot lengths of surgical tubing.

• 4

  Fold one of the 8-foot lengths of tubing in half so you can hold both ends in your hand.

• 5

  Insert both ends into one of the holes your drilled into the funnel. You might need to insert one at a time to make this work.

• 6

  Tie a simple overhand knot in each end of the tubing within the funnel. To tie an overhand knot, create a loop in the tubing and then pass the tip through.

• 7

  Bend the second 8-foot length of surgical tubing in half and insert the ends into the second hole you drilled into the funnel. As before, tie the ends in simple overhand knots within the funnel.

Firing Your Launcher

• 8

  Sit on the ground and place a water balloon into the funnel.

• 9

  Ask two friends to hold each side of the surgical tubing sling. They should stand with their arms outstretched before them with their legs in a braced position.

• 10

  Pull the balloon back by placing your hands across from each other on the lip of the funnel between the surgical tubing. Aim the funnel at the sky and bring it close to the ground for the maximum launch angle.

• 11

  Release the funnel with both hands simultaneously to launch the balloon.