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How to Make a Crossbow Out of Office Supplies

Boredom and downtime are an unfortunate reality of office life. They may not lead to productivity, but they can lead to quite a bit of fun. Instead of spending your free office moments surfing the Internet or playing silly computer games, make a quick raid on the supply cupboard. With a few minutes there, some basic items can be turned into a toy crossbow that will launch things a surprising distance across the office. As always, be careful -- these little things fire with a surprising kick, and most bosses don't smile on sick days taken as a result of horsing around.

Things You'll Need

Scotch tape
4 pencils
7 rubber bands
Plastic pen

Instructions

- 1
  Lay two unsharpened pencils next to each other.
- 2
  Secure the pencils together by wrapping a rubber band several times around the shafts about half an inch from each end.
- 3
  Repeat the process with another two pencils.
- 4
  Cross one pair of pencils on top of the other. This should take the form of a church cross, not a plus sign; one side should be significantly longer than the other.
- 5
  Wrap the point where the two pairs of pencils cross in another rubber band, looped repeatedly until it holds them tightly together.
- 6
  Remove the tip, back cap and ink from a plastic pen, leaving only the hollow plastic tube.
- 7
  Tape the plastic tube to the top of the pair of pencils along the long axis of the cross.
- 8
  Look down the part of the cross with the tube attached. The other pair of pencils will serve as the crossbar for the crossbow. Slip two rubber bands between the two pencils of the crossbar, one on each side of the plastic tube.
- 9
  Stretch the rubber bands back toward the end of the pencils holding the plastic tube. Link them with tape; where the two rubber bands join, the tape will form a saddle to hold your projectile.
- 10
  Load your crossbow by passing a thin pencil or stick through the plastic tube and cradling it with the tape joining the two rubber bands from the crossbars. Pull back to stretch the rubber bands, then release the tension to fire the crossbow. The tube will keep the projectile on a straight path.

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