Looking for a thrilling and educational DIY project to fill your leisure time? Bungee cords are versatile tools that can aid in organisation, fitness, and countless creative uses around the home. In this step-by-step guide, we will show you how to build a catapult using bungee cords – an ideal activity for school holidays or fun family projects. You’re sure to have a blast as you learn how to make a catapult out of wood, bungee cords, and a couple of other tools!

What you’ll need to build a catapult:

• Two x 7.5-inch-long pieces of wood
• Three x 14-inch-long pieces of wood
• Two x 24-inch-long pieces of wood
• One x 28-inch-long piece of wood
• One x 10.5-inch-long piece of wood
• Two x large, strong eye hooks
• 20-30 long screws or nails 
• A cup (to hold your projectile)
• Four x 20-24-inch bungee cords
• A dowel or pipe that is about one-inch thick and 12 inches long
• Power drill
• Power saw
• Chisel with mallet
• Square

How to make a catapult out of wood and bungee cords

Want to know how to build a catapult that shoots up to 10 metres? This wooden catapult is powerful, sturdy and, most importantly, fun to use! So, follow our 10 steps to learn how to build a bungee cord catapult.

1. Drill holes at the end of your wood

Let’s start by taking the two 24-inch-long pieces of wood. On one end of each piece, mark about 3.5 inches away from the edge. Then, drill a hole with a 1-inch diameter at each marked spot. This ensures that both pieces are identical, which is crucial for a sturdy catapult.

2. Mark and chisel the wood

To create the launching mechanism, measure 5.5 inches and 8 inches down from the end of the wood with the drilled hole. Make precise marks at these points and then proceed to saw halfway between them, creating a thick base. Use a chisel and mallet to remove the excess wood, giving your catapult a smooth finish.

3. Make your base

Assemble the base by securely screwing the 7.5-inch-long pieces of wood to the corners of the two 24-inch-long pieces. For stability, ensure that the 7.5-inch pieces are on the inside, while the 24-inch pieces face outwards, placing the marked areas on the outside.

4. Attach the legs

With the base in place, take two 14-inch pieces of wood and make a mark 2.5 inches from the edges. Carefully cut halfway in and chisel away the excess wood to create notches. Now, screw together the two 14-inch pieces of wood to the notches of the two 24-inch pieces from the base.

5. Add a horizontal plank

Next, drill the 10.5-inch piece of wood to form a horizontal line to the top of the 14-inch pieces. Make sure the plank lines up and that it lies attached on the inside. 

6. Cut the angle

From there, take the third 14-inch piece of wood and cut two angles on it. These angles will allow both ends to be drilled and firmly attached to the base and the horizontal plank above, reinforcing your catapult’s strength.

7. Add the catapult slinger

To enable the catapult’s launching action, grab the 28-inch piece of wood and drill a 1-inch wide hole through one end and through the side. Insert the dowel or pipe through one side of the base, then through the hole of the 28-inch piece of wood, ensuring it remains central to the dowel. The dowel should then be inserted through the other side of the base, aligning the 28-inch piece with the angled wood above.

8. Drill in the eye hooks

Drill one eye hook to the bottom of the angled piece of wood, facing the ground. Next, drill another eye hook into the slinger piece of wood (the end of the 28-inch piece), with the hook facing the end.

9. Paint and customise

Now that your catapult is taking shape, let your creativity shine! Custom paint your catapult in any colour you like, and add patterns, stickers, or text to make it uniquely yours.

10. Attach the bungee cords and cup

Finally, attach the bungee cords and hooks to the drilled-in eye hooks. Glue the cup securely to the end of the slinger piece of wood, and voila! Your homemade wooden catapult is now ready for some thrilling experimentation.

Now that you know how to build a catapult from wood and bungee cords, why not check out some of our other amazing bungee cord life hacks? From DIY hammocks to how to look after and store garden tools, we have all the bungee cord activities you need. Want to learn more? Get in touch today!