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Home » Holiday Science » Christmas Science » Snowman Catapult STEM Challenge

Snowman Catapult STEM Challenge

Modified: Jan 17, 2025 · Published: Nov 16, 2016 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

This easy snowman catapult is a fun winter version of our traditional lolly stick catapult, and a great snowman themed craft. We had lots of fun trying to knock down the snowman cups. This would also work well for a school fair game or Christmas party idea.

Snowman themed catapult made from lolly sticks

How to make a snowman catapult

You’ll need

Cardboard cups

Wide lolly sticks

Elastic bands

Table tennis balls

White pom poms

Double-sided tape

Milk bottle top

Sharpies to decorate

Snowman Catapult Instructions

Follow the video to see how to build your catapult.

Snowman Catapult Investigation Ideas

Remember only to change one variable at a time

Is it easier to knock down a smaller or larger stack of cups?

What will happen if you add more lollypop sticks to the central core of the catapult?

Do the pom poms travel further than the table tennis balls?

snowman catapult and cup target

Why does a lolly stick catapult work?

When you push down on the milk bottle top, the lolly stick catapult arm bends, giving it energy; when the arm is released, the energy is transferred to the ping pong ball, which flies through the air.

The further down the lolly stick is pushed, the more force is used, which gives the lolly stick more energy to transfer to the ping pong ball; this means it should travel further.

Snowman Catapult Instructions
Snowman Catapult instructions

Links to Maths

Write numbers on each cup and create a game where players score the total on the cups knocked over.

Can you measure how far the ping pong ball has travelled? What will you use?

Allow 1 point for one cup knocked over and double the score for each extra knocked down.

Links to English

Imagine you’re a snowman; what does it feel like to finally be built? What can you see from where you are?

More Snowman Science Experiments

Can you try melting some ice to demonstrate how snowmen melt when the weather warms up? Freeze a big chunk of ice and investigate whether salt or warm water makes it melt faster.

How about making a snowman themed lava lamp?

See here for more catapult science project ideas.

Snowman catapult - fun winter STEM and Christmas STEM activity for kids #WinterSTEM

Last Updated on January 17, 2025 by Emma Vanstone

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Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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