Report Copyright Infringement View in OSM UK

Description

Instructions for making a mini bow and arrow
Explore the science behind archery by making a mini bow and arrow.

Resources

You’ll need
Wooden lolly sticks (at least one each, preferably more in case they break later)(soaked in hot water for 1 hour)
Cotton buds
Dental floss and/or Rubber bands
Targets, such as cones, markers or hoops
Curved or spherical object, such as a tennis ball, mug or bowl
Scissors or serrated knife
Colouring pens/pencils (optional)

Instructions

Using an elastic band
1. Pre soak the wooden lollipop stick in water for an hour in hot water.
2. Carefully and gently bend the lollipop stick to create a slight bow shape.
3. Carefully use scissors to make small notches at the marked spots on both ends of the stick. These notches will hold
the elastic band.
4. If you want to, you can decorate the lollipop stick.
5. Take an elastic band and stretch it between the two notches on either end of the lollipop stick. Make sure it’s tightly
secured in the notches.
6. To make your arrows, carefully cut off one end of a cotton bud using scissors. You could use scissors to make a small
notch in the cut end of the cotton bud. This’ll help it stay against the elastic band when you use the bow.
7. The easiest way I found to fire the bow and arrow is to put the bow horizontally, with my thumb in the middle, using the arrow pulling the string to keep the bow in place.
8. Test the bow and arrow. Pull the cotton bud back while holding the bow steady, aim, and release it to fire!
10. If more tension is needed, you can try a smaller or thicker elastic band, or deepen the notches.

Using dental floss
1. Pre soak the wooden lollipop stick in water for an hour in hot water.
2. Carefully and gently bend the lollipop stick to create a slight bow shape.
3. Using scissors, carefully make small notches into both sides of the lolly stick where the mark is on both ends of the
stick. These notches will hold the dental floss.
4. If you want to, you can decorate the lollipop stick.
5. Now, wrap and tie dental floss tightly around one end of the stick, tightly securing it in the notches. You may want to
wrap it a few times.
7. While keeping the stick bent, carefully wrap and tie the other end of the dental floss around the opposite end of the
bow, making sure the floss is tight. This will help maintain the bow shape and create tension. Make sure that the knots are at the same side of the stick, to ensure the floss that the "arrows" rest on is not twisted, so will work properly.
8. To make your arrows, carefully cut off one end of a cotton bud using scissors. You could use scissors to make a small
notch in the cut end of the cotton bud. This’ll help it stay against the elastic band when you use the bow.
9. The easiest way I found to fire the bow and arrow is to put the bow horizontally, with my thumb in the middle, using the arrow pulling the string to keep the bow in place.
10. Test the bow and arrow. Pull the cotton bud back while holding the bow steady, aim, and release it to fire!

WARNING
The drier the lollipop stick, the easier it breaks, for prolonged use you may have to soak the bows again for a short while.

I haven't counted soaking the sticks in the activities time, as it can be done in advance or even during another activity. I have said half an hour, due to the fiddly nature of tying with dental floss.

Tags

(none)

Badge Links

• Scientist - Scouting Science
• Scientist - Task