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.
How to make a snowman catapult
You’ll need
Cardboard cups
Wide lolly sticks
Elastic bands
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?
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.
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.
Last Updated on January 13, 2026 by Emma Vanstone
