Play Catapult

Catapults are mechanisms that were widely used in medieval warfare to attack and defend. They were originally constructed to hurl missiles, such as spears, but were later used to throw large stones and pots of boiling oil at the enemy. Catapults have even been used in modern times to launch aircraft from warships. Making a model catapult with your child can be an enjoyable way to help him understand this piece of history -- while launching golf balls instead of boulders.

Instructions

1 Smooth the edges of the block of wood and the small cube of wood with the sandpaper.
2 Lay the larger piece of wood on one of its 2-inch sides, then glue the clothespin to the wood lengthwise, making sure the clothespin is centered. Allow it to dry.
3 Glue the 1-inch wood cube to the top of the open end of the clothespin, making sure the cube is centered. Allow it to dry.
4 Glue the jumbo craft stick to the wood cube, matching one end of the craft stick to the edge of the cube that is closest to the closed end of the clothespin. Allow it to dry.
5 Glue the bottle cap flat side down to the top of the craft stick at the end not affixed to the wood cube. Leave enough room at the end of the craft stick so you're able to push it down. Allow the glue to dry completely.
6 Place a golf ball in the bottle cap, push down on the craft stick, and fire your new medieval war machine.

When you are learning about ancient machines, such as catapults, it can be difficult to picture how these machines actually worked and functioned. This can cause your understanding of the machines to be limited. One solution is to construct a model of a catapult that you can use to launch objects across your room. You can even construct a basic catapult using a few different recyclables that you have lying around your house.

Instructions

1 Heat up a hot glue stick inside of a hot glue gun for five minutes by plugging it into a wall outlet.
2 Place an empty, clean soda can horizontally onto a tabletop.
3 Squeeze a dime-sized dollop of hot glue onto the middle of the soda can, then press a craft stick vertically onto the hot glue dollop. Position the craft stick so that the end is pressed onto the hot glue and the length of the stick extends up from the can. Allow the hot glue to cool for five minutes, then turn over the can.
4 Squeeze a pea-sized dollop of hot glue onto the end of the craft stick that is extending up from the can, and place the flat end of a bamboo skewer onto the dollop. Position the skewer so that it falls back against the can in a 60-degree angle. Allow the hot glue to cool for five minutes.
5 Squeeze a pea-sized dollop of hot glue onto the extended end of the bamboo skewer, then press a paper cup onto the hot glue dollop. Position the paper cup so that it is facing upward. Allow the hot glue to cool for five minutes.
6 Place an object into the cup, hold onto the can with your hand, pull back the cup and release to launch the object through the air.

Making a model of a catapult is a creative way to embrace Greek history. Developed in 400 B.C. during the Dionysius Empire, according to Smith College, the catapult represented a major weapon of war that hurled large and heavy objects long distances toward enemy targets. Creating a paper mache model catapult is ideal for children and beginner art students since the medium is inexpensive and flexible, highly suitable for craft making. Show off the model as a mantelpiece or art project, or during a Greek history festival.

Instructions

1 Place two 2 x 2 x 6-inch Styrofoam catapult base bars onto a work surface. Adjust the bars so they're parallel with one another and the six-inch edges are facing you.
2 Measure one inch toward center from the left edge of each bar. Carve a 1/4 x 1/2 inch hole the center of one each bar at this point. Insert a 1/2 x 1/2 x 3-inch Styrofoam cylinder rod into each hole to connect the bars. The bars and rod should now form a letter "U" shape.
3 Bond three 2 x 2 x 3-inch Styrofoam catapult frame pieces together with permanent epoxy to form a "U" shape. Bond the short ends of the 2 x 2 x 3-inch "U" to the top left side of the catapult bars with permanent epoxy.
4 Measure one inch toward center from the right edge of the near catapult bar. Carve a 1/2-inch-wide hole through the long sides of the near catapult bar at this point with a craft knife. Carve a 1/4 x 1/2 inch hole into the inner long side of the far catapult bar. Insert a 1/2 x 1/2 x 5-inch Styrofoam cylinder rod through the hole in the near catapult bar and into the hole in the far side car. The 1/2 x 1/2 x 5-inch rod acts as a winch for the catapult.
5 Bond the short end of a plastic spoon to the center of the right side 3-inch cylinder foam rod with permanent epoxy. The body of the catapult is now complete.
6 Boil five cups of water and one cup of flour in a pot for three minutes to create a paper mache mix. Allow five minutes for the mix to cool and then pour it into a bowl.
7 Soak a 1 x 5-inch newspaper strip in the mix. Press the strip into the body of the catapult. Continue until the entire catapult is covered in one layer of newspaper.
8 Soak a 1 x 5 inch paper towel strip into the mix. Press the strip into the body of the catapult. Continue until the entire catapult is covered in one layer of paper towel. Allow three hours for the craft to dry.
9 Coat the catapult with brown acrylic paint to emulate the wood used by Greek military personnel to build real catapults. Allow two hours for the craft to dry.
10 Wrap an eight-inch string one time around the neck of the spoon beneath the wide head. Bond the short ends of the string to the five-inch winch rod. Twist the winch rod until the string is wound and the spoon is laying flat. Explain to observers that after the catapult was wound tight, a heavy object was placed onto the "spoon-like" head. The winch was released and sent the spoon flying upward to a 90-degree angle, launching the object into the air.

Early catapults first appeared on the battlefield back in 300 A.D. The basic catapult design has stayed the same over the centuries, and is still used today in aircraft carrier launchers. Handheld catapults are fairly simple to make and can easily fit in the palm of your hand.

Instructions

1 Prepare the Popsicle sticks. Cut three Popsicle sticks into 2-inch lengths. Cut six Popsicle sticks into 4-inch lengths. Cut one Popsicle stick into a 4-inch length with one rounded end, Cut one Popsicle stick into a 3-inch length with one rounded end.
2 Build the base. Tape two 4-inch sticks and two 2-inch pieces together end to end--short, long, short, long. Fold the Popsicle stick line into a rectangle and tape the open ends together. Tape a 2-inch Popsicle stick to the inside of one of the 2-inch sticks in the rectangle for reinforcement. Use plenty of tape on either end but none on the center of the stick.
3 Tape two 4-inch Popsicle stick together side by side. Tape another pair of 4-inch Popsicle sticks side by side. Tape one pair of taped 4-inch sticks to the top of your rectangle, covering the rectangle at one side. Tape another pair of 4-inch sticks to the top of the rectangle on the other side, leaving a gap in the middle. Reinforce the corners of your base with tape.
4 Build the hinge of the catapult and the arm. Tape one end of the rubber band to the rounded end of one 3-inch Popsicle stick. Reinforce with tape. Inset the stick with the rubber band into the base of your catapult. It should slide neatly in the side of the rectangle with two Popsicle sticks. Use a small screwdriver to open up the gap to make the stick fit in there. The stick should be able to stand up on its own with the end of the rubber band dangling down.
5 Cut four pieces of tape about 2 inches long and stick them together so you have a thick layer of tape. Cut the tape lengthwise. Use the side of a Popsicle stick as a guide to mark two lines in the center of the twp pieces of tape. Tape one piece of marked tape to the flat end of a 4-inch Popsicle stick. Position the Popsicle stick so that the flat end meets the first of the two lines. Stick the other pieces of marked tape to the other side of the stick. Pinch the free ends of tape together and secure the marked tape to the stick with more tape.
6 Assemble the catapult. Tape the catapult arm in the center with the hinge facing the catapult. Do not place tape between the two lines in the middle. Tape the end of the rubber band to the catapult arm. Without any tension the rubber band should sit at a 45 degree angle.
7 Make the catapult cup. Cut a piece of paper into a 2-by-2 inch square. Fold the sides in about 1/2 inch on each side, then tape up the corners to form a square cup. Tape the cup to the catapult arm. It should be close to the end, with enough room for your finger to press the catapult.

You might need a catapult to destroy the action figures you've fortified in a Lincoln Log castle, or to lighten the mood during a late day at the office by lobbing paper clips into a friend's cubicle. Whatever the reason, they are easy to make using tools you've more than likely got lying around the house.

Instructions

1 Make a rectangle measuring 10 inches by 4 inches using two long and two shorter wood strips. Hammer a nail into each of the rectangle's four corners, going through one strip of wood and into the other. This will form the base of the catapult.
2 Make a 3-sided square with 4-inch strips of wood. Nail the two corners together.
3 Raise the three-sided square vertically from the catapult's horizontal base. With the missing side facing down against the catapult's base, nail the 4-inch vertical sides into the horizontal base 3 inches from the base's corners. Ultimately, this vertical structure will stop the catapult's arm.
4 Place a 5-inch strip of wood diagonally between the catapult's base and the top side of the vertical arm-stop. This strip of wood should be nailed to the midpoint of the 4-inch side of the base, 3 inches from the arm-stop uprights. Nail the other end of the diagonal strip to the midpoint of the arm-stop crossbar. This will strengthen the arm-stop so it won't fall over when hit by the moving arm. If you look at the catapult from the side, you should now have a right triangle with a 3-inch horizontal bottom, a 4-inch vertical height and a 5-inch diagonal hypotenuse.
5 Drill a hole through the remaining 10-inch strip of wood. This will be the catapult's arm. This hole should be larger than the diameter of the 5-inch screw so that the arm can rotate freely around the screw. The hole should be 1 inch from the tip of the strip.
6 Screw the 5-inch screw through one of the arm-stop's uprights. This should be done 1.5 inches from the catapult's base. Then run the screw through the hole in the catapult's arm and continue to drive the screw into the other upright. You should now have a base, an arm-stop and an arm that pivots.
7 Nail a small cup to the tip of the catapult's arm.
8 Screw a wire eye lag (a.k.a screw eye) into the base of the catapult just below diagonal arm-stop support. Screw your other wire eye lag into the side of the arm that will hit the arm-stop. Screw this lag in just below the cup.
9 Run a rubber band from one wire eye lag over the arm-stop to the other wire eye lag. The rubber band should be small enough that it forces the arm to stand upright.
10 Insert a projectile into the cup. Pull the arm back from the arm-stop until it rests horizontally against the base of the catapult. Release the arm and the rubber band should snap it upward, into the arm-stop, and fling your projectile out of the cup.

Catapults were created as war machines to break walls of castles. A catapult is a mechanical lever that tosses an object, such as a rock, in an arc at a target. To make your own catapult that can be triggered with an electronic switch, purchase supplies from a hobby store or electronics shop. Tools and supplies found in the home will be needed as well.

Instructions

Construct the Catapult

1 Bend one end of a metal strip up to form a hook shape. Place the wood block on the table. Hold the metal strip vertically so the hook is at the top and bent toward you. Place the unbent end of the metal strip on the block near the edge closest to you.
2 Hammer a nail through the strip at one end into the wood. Hammer a nail through the strip at the other end into the wood.
3 Turn the block around. Pull the hooked end of the strip toward you until it touches the wood. Make a dot with a pencil where the strip touches the wood. Release the strip.

Electromagnet Switch

4 Measure 24 inches of wire from the wire spool. Cut the spool at the 24-inch mark with a wire cutter. Measure 8 inches from an end of the wire and make a dot with a pencil. Measure another 8 inches on the wire and make another dot.
5 Wrap the wire around the head of the nail at the 8-inch mark closest to one end of the wire. Wind the wire down to the point and back up again until you come to the other mark on the wire. Wrap strips of cellophane tape around the nail to hold the wire in place.
6 Strip 1/2 inch of insulation from each end of the wire with a wire stripper.
7 Apply a line of bonding glue to one side of the nail. Place the nail horizontally on the block against the dot that was made on it. Hold the nail against the block for a minute before letting go. Let the glue set overnight.
8 Wad a piece of paper into a ball. Place your catapult on the floor with the end that has the nail glued to it facing you. Place a battery on its side next to the catapult.
9 Tape the end of one of the wires to the bottom contact on the battery with a strip of cellophane tape. Tape the end of the other wire to one of the two contacts on the electronic switch.
10 Measure 10 inches from the end of the wire spool. Cut the wire at the 10-inch mark with the wire cutter. Strip 1/2-inch from each end of the wire with the wire stripper. Tape one of the two ends of the wire to the top of the battery with a strip of cellophane tape. Tape the other end of the wire to the other contact on the electronic switch.
11 Pull the metal strip toward you with your other hand. Press the end of the strip against the nail. Release the strip. Place the wadded up paper ball in the hook on the strip. Press the button on the switch to deactivate the electromagnet and release the strip so it can shoot the ball from your catapult.

Catapults are launching devices that have been used since the medieval era to launch everything from rocks to people to eggs. Regardless of the size of the catapult or the object being launched, the basic principles are the same: an object is placed on the end of a catapult arm and propelled into the air by the arm's movement. If you wish to build a simple, small sized catapult that can launch a hacky sack, you can do so in a few simple steps.

Instructions

Assembling the Frame

1 Cut three 12-inch pieces out of the 3/4-inch by 1/2-inch wood strips. Cut an additional seven 6-inch pieces out of the wood strips and use a protractor to cut the ends of two of these strips at a 45 degree angle.
2 Line one of the wood pieces with the angled edges up with one of the 12-inch pieces so that the two wood pieces form a 45 degree angle. The angled portion of the 6 -inch wood piece should be flush with the bottom edge of the 12-inch wood piece and positioned all the way at one end of the 12-inch wood piece. Secure the wood pieces together with wood glue and a 3/4 inch wood screw.
3 Place a non-angled 6-inch wood piece so that its edge is flush with the remaining angled end of the 6-inch wood piece you secured in Step 2 and its bottom end is flush with the bottom edge of the 12-inch wood piece it is secured to. Secure this 6-inch wood piece to both the 12-inch piece and the angled 6-inch piece with wood glue and 3/4-inch wood screws. This assembled piece will serve as the side support for the catapult.
4 Repeat Steps 2 and 3 to create another side support for the catapult.
5 Stand the two side supports side by side exactly 6 inches apart. Connect them together by placing two 6-inch wood pieces on the front (the end closest to the uprights) and back end of the side supports and securing them in place with wood glue and 3/4-inch wood screws. You will now have a rectangular frame that measures 6 inches by 12 inches.
6 Place the final 6-inch wood piece across the top of the frame's two uprights. Secure it in place with wood glue and 3/4-inch wood screws. This cross beam will stop the catapult arm when it is in motion and cause the catapult to launch the hacky sack.
7 Drill a 2mm hole through the sides of the frame's two uprights. Position the hole near the base of the uprights to allow the catapult arm full range of motion. Screw an eye-hook into the middle of the frame's front beam to finish the catapult frame.

Assembling the Arm

8 Cut off the top of a paper cup to create a small basket for the arm of the catapult. Screw the basket to the end of the remaining 12-inch wood piece with a 1/2 inch wood screw.
9 Screw a second eye-hook into the catapult arm directly below the paper cup you secured in Step 1.
10 Drill a hole through the side of the catapult arm at the opposite end with a 2-mm drill bit.

Assembling and using the Catapult

11 Cut an 8-inch section of wire clothes hanger. Insert the wire through the hole at the base of one upright, through the hole at the end of the catapult arm and finally through the hole at the base of the opposite upright (make sure the catapult basket is facing up when you do so). Bend the ends of the wire to hold the wire in place.
12 Attach one end of the rubber band to the eye-hook screwed into the catapult arm and the other end to the eye-hook screwed into the catapult frame.
13 Place the hacky sack in the catapult basket, pull back the catapult arm and release to launch the hacky sack into the air.