STICKS AND STONES CATAPULT

“Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:15

“An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” – Proverbs 12:25

They say “sticks and stones may break your bones but words can never hurt you.” But that’s not always true, is it? Words can hurt other people’s feelings just like sticks and stones hurt their bodies. The good news? Saying kind and loving things to each other can do just as much, if not more to build people up and make them feel cared for and strong. The best part is, you don’t need a special reason to say something nice, it’s just a simple way we can share God’s love with those around us! Ask kids to think of everyone they know who could use a kind word or a cheerful picture. It doesn’t take much to make someone’s day!

Materials:

• 6-7 popsicle or craft sticks
• Rubber bands
• Plastic spoon
• Small cotton balls, mini marshmallows, ping pong balls or other light-weight and small object

Directions:

1. Stack 4-5 sticks together and use rubber bands on both ends to bind them tightly.
2. Take two more sticks and bind them on one end with a rubber band. Open the opposite end so the two sticks form a V and insert first stack across the middle, in a t-shape.
3. Wrap another rubber band in an X shape across the intersection of the sticks.
4. Attach the handle of the spoon to one side of the V sticks, using another rubber band, or tucking it tightly into the X bands.

To work catapult, hold one end and draw back the spoon, releasing to launch your projectile. You can make it a game to see how far you can catapult the objects, or experiment with how many sticks you use in the middle to change the strength of the catapult.