A catapult is always a kid favorite—so why not give it a festive twist? This Christmas catapult STEM challenge uses simple supplies and introduces kids to force, motion, simple machines, and stored energy. Build a popsicle stick catapult, test holiday-themed projectiles, and explore hands-on Christmas STEM learning this season.
Christmas Catapult STEM Activity
Supplies Needed
- 10 jumbo popsicle sticks
- 3 rubber bands
- (Optional) Plastic bottle cap
- Printable instructions and data sheet
How to Build a Christmas Catapult
🎄 Christmas STEM Activities are a hit this time of year! We have 25+ holiday ideas that will keep you busy all month long.
STEP 1: Make the base stack.
Stack eight Popsicle sticks together. Wrap a rubber band tightly around each end.
STEP 2: Prep the lever sticks.
Make two small notches—one on each side near the end—on the remaining two popsicle sticks.
Adults should handle this step.
STEP 3: Insert the lever.
Slide one notched stick between the stack so it rests on top of the bottom stick of the stack.
STEP 4: Add the top stick.
Place the remaining notched popsicle stick on top of the stack.
STEP 5: Connect the lever.
Where the notches meet, wrap a rubber band around the two sticks.
This rubber band should stay looser than the ones on the sides so the lever arm can move freely.
Optional: Glue a bottle cap to the top of the lever arm to hold your projectiles. Your Christmas catapult is ready to test!
Christmas Items to Launch
Use lightweight items for the best results:
- Mini marshmallows
- Pom-poms
- Crumpled paper balls
- Small foam shapes
🛑 Avoid heavy or metal objects. Jingle bells seem festive, but do not launch well! Aim the catapult away from people!
How Does a Catapult Work?
A popsicle stick catapult demonstrates how stored energy can create motion.
When you press the lever arm down, you store potential energy in the bent popsicle stick and the stretched rubber band. When you release the arm, that potential energy turns into kinetic energy, and the object launches through the air.
With this simple machine, kids can learn:
- Fulcrum: The point that does not move.
- Lever arm: The stick that moves up and down.
- Force: How hard you press affects how far the object travels.
- Potential and kinetic energy: Stored vs. moving energy.
A catapult brings all these concepts together in one fun STEM project. Here are a few additional resources:
Try This:
Push the lever arm down hard to increase the force and watch your projectile fly. Test different launch styles and compare results.
STEM Challenge Ideas
Kids can turn this simple build into a full engineering investigation:
- Which holiday item travels the farthest?
- Which object goes the highest?
- How does weight affect distance?
- What happens if you change the angle of release?
Use a measuring tape to record distances and compare data. Encourage students to predict, test, and retest.
Use the Engineering Design Process
Pair the catapult build with a simple engineering design process:
- Ask: What makes a projectile launch farther?
- Imagine: What holiday objects can we test?
- Plan: Sketch the catapult and list test items.
- Create: Build and launch!
- Improve: Adjust force, angle, or projectile type.
This process works beautifully with holiday themes—candy canes, gumdrops, Christmas trees, and more.
FREE Printable Christmas Catapult Worksheet
Add simple data-tracking and STEM extensions with the printable catapult score sheet. Perfect for classroom or small-group testing.
More Fun Christmas STEM Challenges
- Santa’s Chimney Challenge: Build the tallest chimney using soft candy and toothpicks. How stable can you make it?
- Jingle Bell STEM Challenge: A holiday twist on the egg drop challenge. Can you design a container that keeps a jingle bell silent?
- Santa’s Sleigh Challenge: Build a brand-new sleigh for Santa using simple materials. Includes free printable worksheets.
- Christmas Tree STEM Challenge: Use only 100 cups to build the tallest or most creative Christmas tree structure.
- Santa’s Balloon Rocket: Send Santa across the room with a balloon rocket and explore basic forces.
- Reindeer Rocket Straw STEM Activity: Launch a festive reindeer rocket using a straw.
- Gingerbread Man Trap Engineering Challenge: Can you design a trap to catch (or save!) the Gingerbread Man?
Printable Christmas Project Packs
Visit our SHOP for easy-to-print art, holiday, STEM, and science lesson plans for the whole year. Or join us in the Little Bins Club.
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