By Sherry Mao
Updated Mar 24, 2022

A precisely built launcher offers a straightforward yet powerful way to project eggs and other small objects. Historically, catapults served as formidable weapons, but today they’re popular educational tools and recreational projects. Building an egg launcher lets students and hobbyists apply physics principles—gravity, momentum, and projectile motion—in a tangible, hands‑on way.

Step 1

Place the 6‑inch wood block on a flat surface.

Step 2

Glue a large clothespin lengthwise along the center of the block.

Step 3

Allow the glue to dry completely. Attach the 1‑inch wood cube to the open end of the clothespin, gluing only the lower half of the cube onto the pin.

Step 4

After the glue has set, affix the flat side of a Popsicle stick to the top of the cube, leaving roughly two‑thirds of the stick free. Ensure the stick is securely bonded.

Step 5

Glue a small plastic container to the free end of the Popsicle stick, leaving enough clearance so the egg can be pushed back for launch.

Things Needed

• Wood block (~6 in. long × 3 in. wide × 1 in. deep)
• Wood glue
• Large clothespin
• Wood cube (~1 in. × 1 in.)
• Popsicle stick
• Plastic container (any lightweight model that holds an egg securely)

TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)

Any light plastic container that securely holds the egg works. By experimenting with size, materials, and geometry, you can extend the launch distance of your homemade egg launcher.