Another one my kids made up, and used up all my plastic spoons in a very short time.
Ridiculous fun in a flash!
Age: Any Age
Level: Easy
Materials
Styrofoam cups (or other disposable cups)
Turn the cup over and position the handle of the spoon at about the centre.
Carefully push the handle through the cup, trying not to tear the styrofoam too much.
Pull the spoon back, load it with things and fire!
Softer projectiles are best for younger children - pom poms and cotton balls are fun. Wet the cotton balls a bit if they are too light.
It's helpful to set the ground rules for catapulting before you start:
1. Catapults are only to be fired into the range area, not towards people or breakables.
2. Nobody goes on the firing range while people are still firing or catapults are loaded.
3. Nobody fires until everyone is behind the safety line.
You can make it more fun (or maybe less fun) by assigning one person the Range Officer. They must issue commands such as 'Shooters to the range', 'Fire when ready', 'Cease Fire' and 'The range is Clear to go forward'.
You can use other kinds of disposable cups, but you might need a knife or scissors to make the hole.
You could add a super messy element by getting cotton balls and dipping them in paint, and firing them at a target or making a splat painting!
Categories
#Catapults
#Plastic Cups
#Easy
#Under 5s
#5 to 10s
#Over 10s
#Any age
#Cheap
#Messy play
#Cotton balls
#Games
