Easy to Build Catapults That Can Launch a Koosh Ball

Slingshot

• A quick method you can use on the go is the Koosh ball slingshot catapult. You'll need two chopsticks (or two sturdy sticks), two large rubber bands and two small rubber bands.

  Position the sticks in a "V" shape. Wrap one of the large rubber bands tightly around the bottom of the "V" until it's secure and holds the slingshot's base. Loosely wrap the other large rubber band around the top of the slingshot and use the small rubber bands to hold it in place. Wrap one small rubber band around the top of one stick so that it secures part of the large rubber band to the stick. Repeat this step on the other side.

  Launch time---place your Koosh ball in the middle of the top rubber band, pull backwards and launch it into space.

Craft Sticks

• Build a more sophisticated catapult using craft sticks, a paper cup and rubber bands. Materials include 11 craft sticks, masking tape, a large paper cup, one rubber band, hot glue and scissors.

  Assemble the catapult by taping three craft sticks together, end to end. Fold the sticks together to form a triangle and tape again. Do this three more times with craft sticks. Lay two triangles on top of one another and tape the entire base together. Hold the double triangle portion of the base upright and tape the third triangle underneath so it creates a pyramid.

  Create the throwing arm by taping two sticks together---make sure they slightly overlap to create a 6 or 7 inch long stick.

  Use the cup to hold the Koosh ball in place. Cut the cup so you are left with only a quarter of a cup. Hot glue or tape it to one end of the throwing arm.

  Tightly wrap and secure the rubber band around the end of the base where the two triangles are connected to the one triangle. Slide the throwing arm through the rubber band and you are ready to play.