Playing is fun, and it’s not limited to kids alone. Many adults, including me, enjoy the thrill of aiming and shooting games, especially with crossbows and other similar games. These activities offer a blend of challenge and excitement, making us want to play more.

So considering the game of crossbow, let’s create a nifty little craft with which you and the older lot in your family can enjoy simultaneously.

Things you need:

1. One small plastic bottle (you can also use a larger)

2. Paper cutter or scissors

3. One rubber band (for a large bottle, you will need a large rubber band)

4. Marker

5. Double-sided tape

6. Any colour paper strip

7. One 6-inch-long stick (you can use a BBQ skewer)

8. Paper cups (At least 6)

Directions:

1. You only need the top part of the bottle, mark where the bulge of the bottle lies, picture 2.

2. With the help of an adult, carefully cut off this marked section from the bottle, picture 3.

3. Make three holes: two on the opposite sides of the bottle edge and one in the centre of the bottle cap, see picture 4.

4. Cut the rubber band, insert it through the two side holes in the bottle, and tie knots at both ends, picture 5.

5. Apply double-sided tape to a one-inch wide, six-inch-long paper strip, pictures 6 and 7.

6. Roll the taped strip carefully around the stick to create the projectile, pictures 8 and 9.

7. Insert the stick from its back through the bottle cap; our bottle blaster is ready to blast, pictures 10 and 11.

You can aim at anything — like small toys, balls or even stick figures. This DIY bottle blaster promises endless hours of enjoyable play.

The writer can be contacted at ithecraftman@gmail.com

Published in Dawn, Young World, August 10th, 2024