Tissue Launching Crossbow

While Hanging out at the library we found this book.



So we checked it out and brought it home. The picture on the cover is what got me. Pretty simple design so I thought the rest of the book would have things that were similar. But honestly this was the only project in the book I felt comfortable with trying to make. The other projects of with there are 28, either looked like too much work for the amount of play we got out of them, or involved skills I don't currently have.

So Tissue Launching Crossbow it is!

Our Supplies:


We used scrap wood that was in our basement and cut two pieces both 8 inches long. Cut and drilled the appropriate places. (actually we did do ours a little bit differently. Yet the same design overall.

What we did:

Pre-drilled holes make it easier for little ones to use the screwdriver. There is a small screw attaching the clothes pin to the crossbow, then two to hold the rubber band and then one holding the crosspiece to the other piece.


Of course it is always fun to paint and decorate it!


Be sure to use your Art Splat Mat!


We attached out rubber band two two screws instead of wooden pegs, because we had the screws.
Then you take a tissue and fold it so it is long and narrow, then roll it up and put tape around the outside. This is your projectile. Kind of looks like a marshmallow, but it is lighter and flies a bit farther.


Ready...


Aim... (but never at people of course)


Fire...


We got our tissue to fly around 20 feet. We think we may send it with dad to work so that he can launch tissues at people in other cubicles. :)

Family Activity:
Make a few and have contests to see who can launch the tissue the farthest.
Play Tissue Golf. Kind of like Frisbee golf. Pick targets in the yard and see how many launches it takes to get to them. May be a fun project for Cub-scouts as well.