Launch & Play Catapult Games: Physics Fun for Kids
By Seriously fun hands-on learning for curious kids of all ages | KiwiCo | Published: 2026-10-19
Category: Product Reviews
Turn pom-pom launching into a real physics lesson. This guide shows how to set up and play the KiwiCo Launch & Play Catapult Games while exploring trajectory, angles, and center of gravity.
Quick answer
Set up the KiwiCo Launch & Play Catapult Games in minutes and start experimenting with angles, trajectory, and center of gravity through three pom-pom launching challenges that work for solo play or head-to-head duels.
Why this catapult game teaches real physics
The Launch & Play Catapult Games turn a simple pom-pom launcher into a hands-on physics lab. Instead of just flinging objects, kids adjust the launch angle to hit targets, predict where the pom-pom will land in a duel, and learn how weight distribution affects a teetering target. Each game reinforces a different concept: trajectory, prediction, and center of gravity.
Because the kit uses soft pom-poms, it's safe for indoor and outdoor play. The tradeoff is that pom-poms are lightweight and affected by wind, so you may need to adjust your aim on breezy days.
What's in the box and how to set up
The kit includes a pre-assembled catapult launcher, a set of colorful pom-poms, and three target setups: a scoring target board, a duel target, and a teetering tower. Assembly takes less than five minutes—just unfold the target board and place the teetering tower on a flat surface.
No batteries, screens, or tools are required. The whole experience is mechanical and immediate, which helps kids connect their actions to the physics outcomes.
How to play the Launch & Play Catapult Games step by step
- Set up the target board and practice aiming: Place the target board a few feet away. Load a pom-pom into the catapult cup, pull back the arm, and release. Try different pull-back angles to see how the pom-pom's trajectory changes. Aim for the highest-scoring zones. Common mistake: pulling the arm back too far sends the pom-pom over the target. Start with a gentle pull and increase gradually.
- Challenge a friend to a catapult duel: Both players set up their catapults facing each other with a neutral target zone between them. Take turns launching pom-poms, trying to predict where each shot will land. The player whose pom-pom lands closest to the center wins the round. Checkpoint: if pom-poms collide mid-air, move the starting positions farther apart to focus on prediction rather than interference.
- Tip over the teetering tower: Set up the teetering tower on a flat surface. Launch pom-poms at the top platform to knock it off balance. Adjust your aim to hit the center of the platform for maximum effect. Experiment with different launch angles to see which one topples the tower most reliably. Common mistake: aiming too low hits the base and barely moves the tower. Aim for the top third to shift the center of gravity.
Product facts
- Launch & Play Catapult Games: Explore physics with pom-pom play! Aim and launch pom-poms into targets in three delightful games. You’ll experiment with angles to perfect your aim; predict trajectory in a catapult duel; and learn about center of gravity to tip over teetering targets. Instead of just launching for fun, each game isolates a specific physics principle so kids can test and see the effect of changing one variable at a time.
Launch & Play Catapult Games
