Candy Catapults

How can you bring engineering to life for your kids? Well in our house it involves flying candy. This week is Engineering Week and I’m sharing a few easy and fun activities for you to try with the kiddos. But today is especially near and dear to my heart because it is Girl Day! DiscoverE.org has dedicated today to showing girls just how creative engineering can be and how engineering can change the world.

Inspired by this, I thought I would try out my creative side and show you this easy engineering activity on video!  So sit back, relax, grab your daughter, grab some popcorn, and enjoy!

(Note: My kids LOVE making candy catapults when marshmallows are involved so that is what I’m using as ammo in the video.)

Here is a summary:

What you’ll need:

7 craft sticks, 4 rubber bands, plastic spoon, candy to launch

How to do it:

1.Stack 5 craft sticks together and wrap a rubber band at each end

2.Stack 2 craft sticks and wrap a rubber band around one end

3.Slide bigger stack between smaller stack and secure it with a rubber band.

4.Insert spoon and add marshmallows to launch

What happens:

A catapult is a simple machine called a lever. Other examples of levers are scissors, see-saws, and fingernail clippers.

I hope you enjoyed the video and let me know what you think by leaving a comment down in the comments section.

Let me know if you are tempted to shoot candy across the room when the kids are in bed just for the fun of it!

Happy Girl Day 2016!