Kids of all ages are going to have a literal blast with these homemade pom-pom shooters or pom-pom launchers! They’re super easy to make, as you can see in the video below. This pom-pom shooter craft is a great indoor activity that can be done any time of the year while exploring principles of energy!
How to Make a Pom Pom Shooter
Hopefully, you will find everything to make these around the house. If you don’t have pretty colored tape and paper, you can improvise with markers, duct tape, or whatever you have! Even pool noodles work. Check out more ways to use balloons below.
Recommended Grade Level: 2nd-5th Grade
💡 Note: The following instructions will cover the paper cup shooter and the toilet paper tube version.
🛑 Never shoot objects at people, animals, or anything at all that could be hurt or damaged by the object!
Supplies:
- Paper Cups or toilet paper rolls
- Latex Balloons, 12”
- Pom Poms, Assorted (for firing)
- Duct Tape (or heavy-duty tape)
- Construction/Scrapbook Paper
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Craft Knife/scissors
Supplies for toilet paper roll shooter and cup shooter
DIY POM POM SHOOTER INSTRUCTIONS
Get ready to get creative! We’ve turned these into confetti launchers for New Year’s and have launched fake snowballs for winter physics, too! Cotton balls, mini marshmallows, and even a lighter ball are loads of fun.
STEP ONE
Adult Assistance: If you are using a paper or plastic cup, have an adult cut off the bottom of the cup with a craft knife or scissors. If you are using a toilet paper roll, you are all set with step one.
STEP TWO
Step two is optional, depending on how crafty your kids want to be with this project. You can decorate your cup or toilet roll with paper, stickers, tape, etc.
STEP THREE
Trim the very top off a standard 12” balloon with scissors. Knot the end of the balloon. Gather the cut balloon and stretch it over one end of the cup, centering the knot over the opening. Do the same if you are using a cup!
STEP FOUR
Next, you want to secure the balloon piece to the paper cup with duct tape. (Washi-style tape will only work short-term because it is less sticky than duct tape.) Alternatively, a glue gun will work for this step.
STEP FIVE
It’s time for the fun! Load the pom-pom shooter with pom-poms, pull back on the balloon knot, and then let go to launch the pom-poms!
- Set up targets, baskets, or buckets for firing into…
- Create a STEM challenge with a tape measure and see who can shoot the object the farthest.
- Give each kiddo their own color or color group of pom-poms. I bet you can even sneak in some simple math practice.
Turn it into an experiment by comparing launch items to see what works best and flies the farthest. You can even take measurements and record data to extend the learning portion of this winter STEM activity.
Another fun item like this that explores Newton’s 3 laws of motion is a popsicle stick catapult.
How Does a Pom Pom Shooter Work?
Learn more about how a pom-pom shooter works and why we like to include it in our easy physics activities! There’s a bit of fun physics here!
Sir Isaac Newton’s laws of motion.
The first law of motion states that an object will remain at rest until a force is applied to it. The pom-pom isn’t launching by itself, so we need to create a force! That force is the balloon. Does pulling the balloon further create more force?
The second law of motion states that a mass (like a pom-pom, marshmallow, or styrofoam ball) will accelerate when a force is applied to it. Here, the force is the balloon being pulled back and released. Testing different objects of different weights might result in different acceleration rates!
Now, the third law of motion tells us that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, the force created by the stretched balloon pushes the object away. The force pushing the ball out is equal to the force pushing the ball back. Forces are found in pairs, the balloon, and the pom pom here.
Energy Transfer
A pom-pom launcher is an excellent hands-on example for learning about potential and kinetic energy because it visually and physically demonstrates how energy is stored and released to create motion. Here’s how it relates to these energy concepts:
Potential Energy
- When you pull down on the elastic band of the pom-pom launcher, you stretch it, storing energy in the form of elastic potential energy. The energy stored depends on how much you stretch the elastic band. The more you stretch, the greater the potential energy.
- This potential energy represents the energy ready to launch the pom-pom. It resembles storing energy in a compressed spring or a drawn bowstring.
Kinetic Energy
- When you release the stretched elastic band, the stored potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, which is the energy of motion. The elastic band returns to its original shape, propelling the pom-pom forward.
- The pom-pom’s speed after launch depends on the kinetic energy transferred from the elastic band. The greater the potential energy (from stretching the elastic more), the more kinetic energy it will have, resulting in a faster and further launch.
Pool Noodle Pom Pom Shooter
An alternative design is a pool noodle pom pom shooter, perfect for creating a bunch of them quickly (party favors, maybe)! You will make them the same way, covering one open end with the balloon and using duct tape to secure it. This is similar to the toilet paper tube launcher. However, you will need smaller items to shoot!
More Fun Ways To Explore Potential & Kinetic Energy
Check out more awesome STEM toys you can make!
- Make a pom pom catapult
- Balloon Rocket
- Make a balloon powered car
- Set up a domino chain reaction
- Create a popsicle stick chain reaction
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