My family had so much fun at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® presents Built to Amaze circus last week. My daughter was amazed by Elianna Grace , the human cannon ball. She came home asking a lot of questions about how canon ball launchers work. We turned a quick learning lesson into a family game in our backyard. Our easy ball launcher craft and competition was fun entertainment for the entire family.
We already had all the supplies at home and putting together the ball launcher was easy.
Supplies:
- empty toilet paper roll
- hole punch
- two rubber bands
- empty thread spool
- craft stick
- styrofoam ball
- hot glue gun (not pictured)
Use the hole punch to put two holes in the cardboard tube. The holes should be directly across from each other.
Pull a rubber band through the hole and then back through itself. Repeat on other side.
Glue the bottom of the thread spool to the middle of the craft stick.
Slide the craft stick through the rubber bands attached to the tube.
Now take your ball launcher outside for some family fun! My husband helped my daughter the first couple of times she used the launcher. Simply place the styrofoam ball inside the tube, pull the craft stick back, and let it go to see how far you can launch the ball.
We had a little friendly competition and used rocks to mark how far each of us could shoot the styrofoam ball with the launcher. It looks like I need a little more practice!
My daughter was excited to learn about something she saw at the circus and we all had fun playing outside together.
Oh what a cute idea!