Sk8erzLibrary← Back to library

quest · builder's guild

Cardboard Catapult

Popsicle sticks, rubber bands, a spoon. Ancient engineers used the same physics — and the same rule: you only ever launch at a target.

Grab a grown-upIntermediate45 min🏠🌲 Indoors or out

A grown-up works with you and owns a few steps of this quest.

🧑 The grown-up owns: Approves the launch area, checks the ammo is soft and light, and stays for every test fire.

what you'll need

  • 7 popsicle sticks
  • 3–4 rubber bands
  • 1 plastic spoon
  • Marshmallows or pom-poms (soft ammo only)
  • Masking tape (optional)
  • A bowl or box as the target

safety · Soft, light ammo only — marshmallows or pom-poms. Never aim at people, pets, windows, screens, vehicles, mirrors, or anything breakable. Everyone stands BEHIND the catapult. Eyes stay out of the launch line. No pebbles, coins, pencils, or anything hard, ever.

🧑 grown-up does

These steps belong to the grown-up. Grab a grown-up.

  1. 1. Approve the range

    Pick the launch area: clear floor, target against a wall, nothing breakable downrange, no pets in the room. You decide where it points.

  2. 2. Check the ammo

    Squeeze-test every piece of ammo. If it's hard, heavy, or sharp, it's out. Marshmallows and pom-poms only.

  3. 3. Stay for every test fire

    Be in the room whenever it's loaded. Call a stop if the aim drifts off the target.

Read the safety badge and the grown-up steps together before you start.