Snowball Catapult
The holidays are coming and everyone is busy! Kids are full of energy and we need some creative outlets for all of that energy. Today we have a classic project with a fun, winter twist. We are making Snowball Catapults. Not only is this project a blast but it’s also a fantastic learning opportunity. We’ve made a lot of different catapult projects over the years, and they never get boring. This is also a fantastic game idea for the holiday parties. So let’s dive into the world of physics and engineering with our Snowball Catapults!
Winter STEM – How to Make Snowball Catapults
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Catapults have been used throughout history as a way to shoot missiles. Today, we love making catapults as a very simple project that provides incredible opportunities to explore physics principles. Over the years we have had fun with so many different twists on the traditional catapult project. So it only made sense to make a snowball catapult for those days when we don’t have any snow, but the kids want to have a snowball fight!
While creating this activity, I also came up with the idea of shooting our snowballs into a mini tree, and it was so addictive and so much fun trying to land the snowballs in the tree!
Seriously, I have the best job, playing, learning and creating! And I just know you and your kids are going to have so much fun making snowball catapults too.
Supplies
The best thing about these catapults is how easy they are to make. You only need a few simple supplies.
Jumbo craft sticks (around 10-15 should do the trick)
Rubber bands (minimum 4, but I recommend having extras in case one breaks)
A plastic spoon or a bottle cap
Hot glue gun or school glue
Medium sized pom-poms
Snowball Catapults Winter STEM Video Tutorial
Watch the video tutorial to see how we make this simple STEM project and watch how it launches. If you can’t see this video, it is likely your adblockers or firewall that is blocking the feed. You can also find it on the STEAM Powered Family YouTube Channel.
Building a Snowball Catapult
Start by creating a strong base, which will be our fulcrum. Create a stack of about 7 to 10 craft sticks and wrap an elastic band around each end to hold the bundle together securely.
Now we need to create the lever. This is how we will launch our snowballs. Take two craft sticks. Stack them on top of each other. Now wrap an elastic around one end, so you can still open the other end to create a ‘V’.
Open it to make that V, then slide the bottom craft stick through the bundle you made for the base. It should slide right above the bottom craft stick in the bundle. This can be a little tricky for little hands. Some might want a helper for this step.
Secure the lever to the base. Do this by using another rubber band to create a hinge by tightly wrapping it around the top where the arm and the frame sticks meet. I like to do this in a figure 8.
Finally, we need to attach a holder for the missiles. I like to use a bottle cap or a disposable spoon or small cup (like you use for medicine). Glue it onto the top of the lever near the end, but make sure to leave a little lip so you can push down on it with your finger.
Using your Snowball Catapult
It’s time to play and learn!
Load your snowball into the bottle cap.
Place a stabilizing finger on the bottom of the lever. This helps to stop the whole catapult from moving during launch.
Create tension by pushing down the top of your lever, just behind the bottle cap.
Release! Watch it fly!
The Science and STEM Behind a Snowball Catapult
Let’s explore the science and STEM lessons behind this fun snowball catapult.
Physics
This Snowball catapult is an excellent way to explore physics principles in a fun way. In this project we are learning about potential and kinetic energy. When you press down on the catapult you are building tension and potential energy. When you release, it becomes kinetic energy. During this kinetic energy stage, we also see energy transfer as the energy goes from the catapult to the snowball missile. Students will also learn about force and trajectory, as they discover how pressing down on the lever changes the amount of force behind the snowball launch, which in turn changes the trajectory, or path the snowball takes during flight. This is very important to master if you turn this into a game where the snowballs need to hit a target!
Engineering
Building a catapult involves gaining an understanding of some simple engineering concepts. Students learn about structural stability, weight distribution, and the importance of a fulcrum in a lever system.
Math
Yes, you can also incorporate some fun math into this snowball catapult project. Measure how far your objects fly and chart the distances. Experiment with different weights or angles of launch and observe how it affects the distance. This is a great way to dive deeper into concepts like trajectory and force. Older students can even do some calculations and turn this into a fun physics lab.
Creative Thinking and Problem Solving
As you build and test your catapult, you’ll likely face challenges. Maybe the arm isn’t swinging as freely as you’d like, or the objects aren’t flying far enough. This is where creative thinking and problem-solving skills shine! Tweak your design, adjust different variables, and put those inquiry based learning strategies to work.
Winter STEM Fun!
Building a Snowball catapult is not just about having fun (though it certainly is a blast!). It’s an engaging way to introduce and explore fundamental STEM concepts. The hands-on experience reinforces learning in physics, engineering, and mathematics, all while fostering creativity and problem-solving skills.
Whether you have lots of snow and want an indoor winter activity, or don’t have any snow where you live, but still want to have a fun snowball fight, this winter STEM project is for everyone!
So, grab your craft sticks and let the launching begin!
Happy catapulting, and may your crafts fly high and your curiosity even higher!
Want more cold weather STEM? Try our Winter STEM Activities or Snowflake STEM Challenges.
