How to Make a Homemade Slingshot: 3 Easy Ways

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Learn to craft a makeshift slingshot with everyday household items
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Slingshots are versatile little devices. Throughout the years, they’ve been used for everything from hunting small game to target practice in the backyard. Their dimensions and mechanics tend to vary, as they can be made from a number of different materials. However, good slingshots always have three things in common: a sturdy Y-shaped frame, an elastic band, and a small object that’ll go sailing once it’s pulled back and released. In this article, we’ll teach you how to make a more traditional slingshot with a stick and a fun slingshot launcher out of toilet paper rolls.

Making a Slingshot: Quick Steps

  1. Find a Y-shaped piece of wood that’s roughly 6 in (15 cm) long and 1 in (2.5 cm) thick.
  2. Make sure the wood is dry and not damp.
  3. Carve a notch about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the top of the Y.
  4. Cut a rubber band in half the length of the wood.
  5. Tie the bands to either end of the Y.
  6. Cut a piece of fabric 4 inches (10 cm) by 2 inches (5.1 cm).
  7. Tie the ends of the bands to the fabric to finish your slingshot.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Making a Traditional Stick Slingshot

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  1. Keep an eye out for fallen branches that can be broken or whittled into the correct shape. You can use just about any type of wood to make a slingshot, provided it’s strong enough to hold up when you pull back the sling. A piece that’s roughly 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) long and 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) thick, however, will be the easiest to use. [1]
    • Search the ground near heavily wooded areas for the best sticks and branches.
    • Strong, supple woods like oak, ash, hickory, and maple make some of the best slingshots. They’ll provide just enough flexibility to keep from breaking, but not enough to decrease the force or distance of your shot.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Sling Shot
    Hang the frame of your slingshot over a heat source, such as a campfire or a portable stove, and turn it occasionally. Allow it to dry for several hours. As it heats up, the moisture inside will slowly release. This will ensure your slingshot frame has less give and is more sturdy. [2]
    • Be extremely careful not to burn yourself when working near an open flame.
    • Alternatively, you can also dry the wood in the microwave. Wrap the wood in a towel and microwave it for 30 seconds at a time until it’s dry.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Sling Shot
    Use a pocket knife or a rock with sharp edges to cut a shallow groove all the way around the arms of the Y. Make each notch about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the top of the prongs. This provides a neat little slot for the bands. [3]
    • If the notches are higher up on the prongs, the tension from the sling could cause them to snap. If they’re too low, the projectile you’re shooting could clip the bottom of the frame.
    • Ask an adult for help when cutting the wood. Never use a pocket knife without parental supervision.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Sling Shot
    Any thick, stretchy material you have on hand can be used as the firing mechanism. Heavy rubber bands, strips of latex sheeting, and even medical tubing are all good options. [4] Once you’ve gotten your hands on a suitable material, double it over and cut it into two identical pieces. Make each piece approximately the same length as the frame. [5]
    • The exact length of the sling depends on your preferred shooting style, as well as the materials you have to work with. A shorter sling generates more power, but can also be more difficult to draw back.
    • Leaving the bands a little longer allows you to adjust the slack or start over if you make a mistake.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Sling Shot
    Take one of the two cut bands and wind it around one of the notches you carved in the prongs earlier. Then, tie it down securely. Do the same with the remaining band. Trim the short ends of the bands to remove the excess length. [6]
    • To ensure your slingshot fires accurately, make sure the loose ends are as close to the same length as possible. Otherwise, the sling will be lopsided.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Sling Shot
    Get a piece of strong cloth and trim it to a size of about 4 inches (10 cm) wide by 2 inches (5.1 cm) high. About 1 ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) from each end of the rectangle, open up a hole just large enough to fit the ends of the sling through. The resulting pouch creates a nest for the projectile, holding it in place until it leaves the sling. [7]
    • A stiff fabric that offers some resistance, like leather or thick canvas, is ideal.
    • Use the point of a pocket knife or a similar tool to bore holes in the pouch. You can also cut a small slit in the fabric, though this may tear after a few uses.
    • Consider wrapping the handle of your slingshot with the same cloth for a more cushioned grip.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Sling Shot
    Thread the end of one band through one of the holes you punched in the pouch. Knot it tight to the outer edge. Repeat with the opposite hole. The sling should now be one long piece, with the bands on either side and the pouch in the middle. [8]
    • If you want, you can reinforce the ends of the pouch by wrapping the bands in dental floss, then tying them off. [9]
    • Use a slingshot to fire small stones, marbles, or metal BBs.
    • Slingshots are useful tools, but they can also be dangerous weapons. Never fire your slingshot at another person, even if you're just playing around.
    EXPERT TIP

    Doug Flinders

    Wilderness and Survival Expert
    Doug Flinders is a wilderness and survival expert based in Canada. Known online as Flinders Adventures, Doug shares his outdoor adventures, gear recommendations, and photography. With a decade of experience teaching wilderness survival and two decades of backpacking and backcountry canoe expeditions, Doug has dedicated his career to mastering and sharing essential outdoor skills. As a seasoned guide, Doug has led backcountry adventures, equipping individuals with the knowledge and confidence to navigate remote environments safely. Doug’s expertise extends to survival strategies, gear selection, and practical techniques that enhance self-sufficiency in the wild. Through hands-on instruction and guided expeditions, Doug strives to instill a deep respect for nature while fostering resilience and adaptability in those he teach. He is a passionate outdoorsman, conservationist, and wilderness skills instructor.
    Doug Flinders
    Wilderness and Survival Expert

    Practice using a slingshot with round, dense objects. The best projectiles to use on a slingshot are round and dense. Marbles or ball bearings work well as ammunition. The rounder the object, the easier it’ll be to shoot straight.

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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Making a Toilet Paper Roll Slingshot

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Sling Shot
    Run a pair of scissors up one side of the roll so that it uncurls into a single sheet. Be sure to make only a single cut—you still want the roll to be in one piece, just open. [10]
    • Try not to bend or crumple the cardboard tube as you cut through it. The smoother the edges stay, the more manageable it will be.
    • If you don’t have a toilet paper roll on hand, you can also cut a longer paper towel roll in half and then cut it through the center to open it. [11]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Sling Shot
    Put the ends of the roll together so that they overlap, then roll it up like a newspaper. When you’re finished, it should be about half the diameter of the original roll. Wrap a long strip of tape around the roll to secure it, leaving about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of cardboard exposed on one end. [12]
    • This piece will work as the internal plunger for the slingshot, where you’ll load the projectiles.
    • The inner toilet paper roll must be narrow enough to hold whatever sort of projectile you’ll be firing without it falling through. You may want to compare the sizes of both objects before taping up the tube. If it’s too wide, roll it up a little tighter until you get it just right.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Sling Shot
    These holes should be just big enough to stick a pencil through. Position them directly across from each other, not at opposite ends of the roll. It may help to get a top-down view of the roll to make sure they’re lined up properly. [13]
    • A manual hole punch makes the cleanest openings; however, you can also use scissors or the tip of a pencil to make the holes.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Sling Shot
    Guide the pencil into one hole and straight out through the other. It should be perfectly centered inside the roll. Keep pushing the pencil until there’s an equal length sticking out of both ends. [14]
    • A short, stubby utensil, such as a golf pencil, works best, since there is less chance of it breaking.
    • Be careful not to damage the holes when you’re inserting the pencil—they should be just large enough to accommodate the pencil. If either of the holes tears, simply turn the plunger and punch out two new ones.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Sling Shot
    Use a pencil to draw two vertical lines extending about 1 ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) inward from the rim of the roll. These lines should be roughly a finger’s width apart. Rotate the roll and make two identical marks on the opposite side, then cut over the lines carefully with a pair of scissors. [15]
    • This second tube functions as the body of the slingshot and fits over the plunger.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Sling Shot
    Drape the rubber bands over the notched flaps so they sit at the bottom of the slits. Then, repeat on the other side. For this type of slingshot to work, you’ll need one rubber band on each side. [16]
    • You’ll get the best results using two rubber bands of the same kind, so try to ensure they are similar in size and thickness.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Sling Shot
    Put the unmodified ends together, so that the pencil and rubber bands are on opposite sides. Slide the plunger in until the pencil rests against the edge of the grip. [17]
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Sling Shot
    Pull the rubber bands down carefully, one at a time, to avoid bending the flaps. Now when you load a small projectile into the outer tube and draw back on the plunger using the pencil as a grip, it will sail across the room! [18]
    • Keep in mind that pulling too hard on the slingshot may break it—after all, it is made of cardboard.
    • Your homemade slingshot can launch marshmallows, foam pom-poms , or other soft, small items.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Making a Heavy-Duty Slingshot

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  1. 1
    Secure 2 T-plates together with a carriage bolt, washer, and nut. Place 2 T-plates together back to back so they match up. Then, run a carriage bolt through the center hole of the plates. Screw a washer and hex nut on either side of the bolt.
    • For the best results, work on one side of the bolt at a time.
    • Always make sure to put on the washer first and then screw on the nut. [19]
    • There will be one longer end of the bolt. This will later become the handle of your slingshot.
  2. 2
    Insert eye bolts onto either side of the T-plates. There should be two open holes on the top of the T-plates. Place the end of an eye bolt into both of these holes. Secure them in place with a washer and hex nut. [20]
    • Make sure the height of your eye bolts is even, as this is where you’ll secure the sling part of your slingshot.
    • Ensure the open part of the eye bolt loop is facing away from the direction you’ll be pulling back on the sling.
    • Try putting a drop of super glue between the eye bolt threads to keep them in place.
  3. 3
    Tie either end of a band on the eye bolts. Wrap the ends of a premade slingshot band around one side of each eye loop. The left end of the band ties to the left eye loop, and the right end of the band ties to the right eye loop. [21]
    • Use glue or wire to help secure the band in place on the eye loops.
    • This type of slingshot works best with a heavy-duty, industrial slingshot band.
    • Most slingshot bands already come with a pouch to place your ammo on, so there’s no need to make one.
  4. 4
    Wrap the handle with tape or string, if you’d like. While this step isn’t necessary, it can make holding your heavy-duty slingshot more comfortable. Wrap tape, string, or tape and string over the longer end of the carriage bolt to create a thicker, softer handle.
    • It may take around 5 layers of tape to create a soft cushion.
    • Similarly, you can also use a moldable clay to craft your handle. Simply mold the clay around the carriage bolt with your hands and let it dry according to the clay’s instructions. [22]
  5. 5
    Use your slingshot! Now all that’s left to do is practice your aim. Always aim this slingshot away from people. [23] The bottom end of the T-plates faces toward you, with the top of the T aiming toward your target. Pull back and away from the T, letting the band and ammo shoot between the eye loops over the T-plates.
    • Think of the middle of the T-plates as a runway. The ammo should shoot through it.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Can't you use plastic golf balls for the indoor slingshot?
    Community Answer
    It depends on how powerful your slingshot is. If your slingshot only fires a tiny distance and it fires "slowly," then yes. If it fires a long way and fast (which is most likely), you could break a window or really hurt someone - even if it's plastic.
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  • Question
    What if you cant find the right sized material or stick to create a slingshot?
    Community Answer
    Look closer. There's bound to be some suitable materials on the ground somewhere. Keep an eye out for downed branches and larger pieces of wood that your can break or cut to size.
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  • Question
    Can I make a different kind?
    Community Answer
    You can look elsewhere online for a different kind, as there are many types that you can make.
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      Tips

      • Experiment with making slingshots of various sizes to shoot different types of projectiles.
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      • A heavy-duty slingshot can be used as a basic hunting weapon, a multi-purpose survival tool, or just a fun way to practice your aim.
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • As a replacement for the rubber band, you could also use part of a bike tire tube.
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      Warnings

      • Never aim your slingshot at another person’s face. Even a seemingly harmless projectile could cause an injury if it strikes just right.
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      • When sighting your slingshot, avoid raising it to eye level. With enough practice, you can get just as much accuracy firing from a fixed position in front of your body.
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      • It may be illegal to hunt or carry a slingshot in your state. [24] Check your local government’s laws before using a slingshot in public or to hunt game.
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      Things You'll Need

      Making a Traditional Slingshot

      • Sturdy, Y-shaped piece of wood
      • Sharp pocket knife
      • Elastic band material
      • Small strip of leather or other rigid fabric
      • Microwave or other heat source
      • Dental floss (optional)
      • Small stones, marbles, metal BBs, or similar projectiles

      Making a Toilet Paper Roll Slingshot

      • 2 cardboard toilet paper rolls (or one paper towel roll cut in half)
      • Tape
      • Manual hole punch (optional)
      • Short, stubby pencil
      • 2 strong rubber bands
      • Scissors
      • Marshmallows, foam pom-poms, rubber balls, or other soft projectiles

      Making a Heavy-Duty Slingshot

      • 2 T-plates
      • Slingshot band
      • 4 hex nuts
      • 4 flat washers
      • 1 carriage bolt
      • 2 eye bolts
      • Tape or string (optional)
      • Super glue (optional)

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.survivalsullivan.com/diy-slingshot/
      2. ↑ https://www.survivalsullivan.com/diy-slingshot/
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skGEed0Q3OA&feature=youtu.be&t=115
      4. ↑ http://slingshot-shooting.de/construction/rubber/rubber.html
      5. ↑ https://www.survivalsullivan.com/diy-slingshot/
      6. ↑ http://www.outdoorlife.com/articles/2015/04/how-make-deer-antler-slingshot#page-3
      7. ↑ http://slingshot-shooting.de/construction/pouch/pouch.html
      8. ↑ https://knowpreparesurvive.com/survival/prep/how-to-make-diy-homemade-slingshots-for-hunting/
      9. ↑ http://www.artofmanliness.com/2012/05/14/diy-weekend-project-how-to-make-a-slingshot/
      1. ↑ http://girlstart.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/3.Marshmallow-Slingshot.pdf
      2. ↑ http://pbskids.org/designsquad/build/indoor-slingshot/
      3. ↑ http://girlstart.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/3.Marshmallow-Slingshot.pdf
      4. ↑ http://pbskids.org/designsquad/build/indoor-slingshot/
      5. ↑ http://girlstart.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/3.Marshmallow-Slingshot.pdf
      6. ↑ http://girlstart.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/3.Marshmallow-Slingshot.pdf
      7. ↑ http://pbskids.org/designsquad/build/indoor-slingshot/
      8. ↑ http://pbskids.org/designsquad/build/indoor-slingshot/
      9. ↑ http://girlstart.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/3.Marshmallow-Slingshot.pdf
      10. ↑ https://www.essentracomponents.com/en-us/news/solutions/fastening-components/the-complete-guide-to-washers
      11. ↑ https://youtu.be/_zeQO7ObhoQ?t=155
      12. ↑ https://youtu.be/_zeQO7ObhoQ?t=177
      13. ↑ https://youtu.be/_zeQO7ObhoQ?t=249
      14. ↑ https://www.gsnorcal.org/content/dam/gsnorcal-redesign/documents/volunteer_resources/sac/slingshot.pdf
      15. ↑ https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/san_francisco/latest/sf_police/0-0-0-1400

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