Brain Builders: Marshmallow Launchers

by Heather Davis, MCM Early Learning Manager

This boredom buster is sure to be a crowd pleaser! Follow these easy steps to make a Marshmallow Launcher from items you likely have at home. 

Supplies Needed:

You’ll need:

• a small disposable cup (a sturdy one like a coffee cup) 
• a balloon 
• scissors
• glue stick
• marshmallows or pom pom balls

Visual Directions

Older children can help with constructing these launchers while younger children will need assistance. They will still love to be part of the whole process. 

Why is this activity a Brain Builder? Because it lets us explore basic concepts in physics! Once your launcher is working what do you notice? Can you find different soft items to launch? Do they move differently? Can you aim the launcher to get the items to land in a box? Can you hit the ceiling? Which item went the farthest? Make sure to run around and pick everything up! 

---

Full Directions

You’ll need:

• a small disposable cup (a sturdy one like a coffee cup) 
• a balloon 
• scissors
• glue stick
• marshmallows or pom pom balls

1. Remove the bottom of the cup.
2. Tie a knot in the ballon as you would if you had blown it up. 
3. Cut off the top of the ballon (about halfway). 
4. Generously glue around the outside bottom of the cup. 
5. Taking the end of the balloon with the knot, stretch the ballon over the bottom end of the cup pulling it TAUT and with the “tail end” generally in the middle of the hole. Let dry a minute. 
6. Decorate! What can you turn your launcher into? A pattern? An animal? A machine? 
7. Try it out! Put a small pom pom or a mini marshmallow inside the cup. Hold the cup with one hand and with the other grab the tail of the balloon. Pull it tight and launch! 

---

Brain Builders is part of MCM at Home. Follow us on social media for more tips, games, crafts, and ideas to learn through play at home.

• WordPress
• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube