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Tuesday, April 1, 2014

"Fire in the Hole!"


Please add us to the list of satisfied customers who have constructed the marshmallow catapult originally seen in the May 2010 issue of Family Fun magazine! This popular project delighted the boys last week when we sat down to make them for the purpose of flinging marshmallows to intercept by mouth. Okay...that particular part was not a success! But we were amazed at how far and how fast those projectiles flew, learning that the amount of rubber band tension determined velocity.


















Adequate instructions are provided at the above link, but there are a few things I would do differently. The "family size" tissue box was a little flimsy even though the width and depth worked perfectly. I think I'd reinforce the long sides with cardboard next time, or possibly substitute a shoe box.

My grandsons are five years old and quite experienced with crafty and scientific enrichment projects provided at home by their parents, yet I did much of the work on our catapults. Rubber bands must be twisted and tied tightly and holes punched accurately - best done by an adult. The kids enjoyed measuring and observing though, picking up a few related terms as they watched and waited.

As always, grandma learned some new things too. The device made wonderful entertainment for the boys' cats, "Marshall" and "Baby." I probably should have anticipated that one! But then there were the sound effects - loud and lusty shouts of "Fire in the hole!" as ammunition was positioned for launch. I suspect that has something to do with the fascination little boys have with historic weaponry, anything set up to shoot far and fast, controlled, aimed and fired by a pair of youthful engineers whose curiosity and enthusiasm keep this grandma coming back again and again to enjoy more and more of the same!


12 comments:

  1. I am just cracking up envisioning ( and hearing ) two five yr old boys hollering Fire in the Hole over and over again. LOL this must have been a BLAST : )

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  2. That looks like fun - I think even Jahn and Ben might like that (they, meaning mostly Jahn, at 12 1/2 years old) have decided that crafts are not their thing. I'm sure they'll get over it - just a stage - but this might be interesting for them - they could do more of the work since they are older.

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  3. LOL- Did you need earlplugs! I called the 4 year old a PeeHead today because he had a little "accident" because he waited a tad too long. He was all embarrassed and ready to cry and I said C'mon PeeHead-we'll get you some dry clothes. He looked at me and burst out laughing-then repeated it at least 50 times. His mother is NOT thankful about that----spoil sport!

    Those are really beautiful, beautiful boys! xo Diana

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  4. FIRE IN THE HOLE! It never gets old...lol.

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  5. One grandma + two grandsons + two cats + marshmallows = LOL here in NH. :-)

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  6. All those "Fire in the Hole" -- were Justified! (wink wink) Those boys have the sweetest smiles! Hard to imagine that they could ever get into any trouble! I bet lots of marshmallows got eaten!

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  7. Nice to see the kids work!

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  8. Boys....they really know how to have FUN! I raised 4 sons and I remember lots of nerf balls, etc, for inside play! Happy Sunday my friend! Hugs!

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  9. Yeah - I'm laughing out loud too! I can see this going on and my boys loving it!

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  10. Boy, my son would have loved this when he was a kid! Not too sure about my granddaughter but she would LOVE making those bunny pillows in your previous post! I just might have to look into that!!

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  11. Fire in the hole??!!?? LOL How fun!! Mind you, even though I can imagine the fun your grands had, I'm hesitating trying this w/my 3 grandsons. We'll see if I get brave enough. ; ) BB2U

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