This simple pencil crossbow is a fun way to get kids crafting, engineering and practicing hand eye coordination. Make it a game and launch Q-Tips at a target!
I got the basic design of this crossbow from Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction: Build Implements of Spitball Warfare I just made a few tweaks and made it into a game that kids love!
Pencil Crossbow Supplies
- Unsharpened pencils
- Rubber bands
- Hot glue gun
- Binder clips
- Q-Tips & Paint (optional)
How to make a Pencil Crossbow
Wrap a rubber band around two pencils at one end, repeat on the other end so that you have two pencils held together with two rubber bands. If you are opting to use hot glue for stability, run a line of glue down the length of the pencils between the rubber bands to hold it together.
Repeat so that you have two sets of two pencils held together with two rubber bands.
Place one set of pencils (the cross bar) across the unsharpened end of the other set of pencils (the base). Use another rubber band to secure the two pencil parts together in a crossing motion until tight.
Rubber band one end of the binder clip to the eraser end of the base pencils so that the clip slips on top of the base and the cross bar is on the bottom
Take one final rubber band and place it between the ends of the cross bar pencils and pull it back and clip it into the binder clip
To use the cross bow place a projectile in front of the binder clip. Then release the clip and watch the the item fly (of course, make sure that the items being launched are safe and not a hazard for anyone in the area)
Make it A Game
Take your crossbow outside with some q-tips and paint. Create a target (I used poster board) and set it up or secure it to the ground. Dip your Q-tip into your paint and launch it at the target!
Tip: Have different colors for different children and use smocks, this activity can get messy!
What’s Next?
If you like making a pencil crossbow you may enjoy making a paper airplane launcher. In this activity kids will create paper airplane launchers using craft sticks and rubber bands. The launchers will shoot the planes for times further than if they were to simply throw it!
