Fall is in full swing, and that means sweaters, cider, and smashing gourds through the crisp autumn air. Yes, we’re talking about the ultimate fall team building experience: the pumpkin catapult.
It’s chaotic, it’s festive, and it’s precisely the kind of team bonding your workplace needs this season.
You’ve carved them. You’ve baked them. You’ve even sipped them in latte form. But have you ever launched a pumpkin? If not, grab your workplace crew and prepare for a fall themed event that blends creativity, problem-solving, and pumpkin-flying mischief.
Where Did We Get the Idea to Catapult Pumpkins?
It all started when PEAK Scientific reached out for a unique team building experience. We suggested our classic Catapult to Success program, but someone in the room had a brilliant, autumn-inspired twist: catapult pumpkins instead of tennis balls or bean bags. The rest is fall folklore.
The team got to work designing their contraptions, fueled by engineering chops, creative instincts, and a fierce competitive streak. The result? Flying pumpkins, roaring laughter, and serious team synergy. Because nothing bonds coworkers like building a functional machine to hurl squash across a field.
And you know what? It’s perfect for National Pumpkin Day (mark your calendars for October 26) and your next Halloween office party!
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Launching Pumpkins
How do you go about launching pumpkins like a pro? It’s easier than you think, and way more fun than your average team meeting.
- Break into teams and hand out equal supplies (see below).
- Set a time limit for teams to plan, design, and build their catapult for pumpkins.
- Head outside, preferably somewhere open with lots of autumn foliage.
- Launch and compete! Judge teams on distance, accuracy, and overall pumpkin catapult design
- Celebrate with cider and a trophy shaped like a miniature pumpkin.
You can go full Mad Scientist or keep it sweet and simple. Either way, you’ll walk away with stories, laughter, and a new appreciation for physics.
“The event was great, and everyone had a great time. It was a good way to end a busy week with a bit of team building and a few good laughs. The facilitators were engaged and proactive…everyone did a great job.”
– PEAK Scientific
Using Everyday Household Items for a DIY Pumpkin Launcher
You don’t need a physics degree or a welding torch to build a DIY pumpkin launcher. The fun is in using ordinary supplies in extraordinary ways, like duct tape, broomsticks, plastic cups, and team ingenuity. Whether your team builds a slingshot or a trebuchet, it’s all about the good vibes, not the launch codes.
Here are a few materials that work great:
- Wooden spoons
- Rubber bands
- Plastic buckets
- String, tape, and cardboard
- PVC piping or broomsticks
- A healthy disregard for subtlety
Teams must figure out how to catapult pumpkins safely, competitively, and creatively. Some go big and bold with tension-based arms, while other prefer sling-style designs that favor finesse over force. Its all part of the challenge, and the joy of watching a pumpkin fly through the air like a majestic orange cannonball.
A Successful Pumpkin Catapult Design for Team Bonding This Fall!
You’ll know you’ve nailed the pumpkin catapult design when your team is laughing, collaborating, and bragging a little. That’s because catapulting pumpkins brings out the best in people. Whether you’re working through trial and error or making quick group decisions under a ticking clock, every participant is engaged and invested.
Want to take it up a notch? Create side challenges, like the most accurate launcher, the most aesthetic DIY pumpkin launcher, or the team that yelled “fire!” the loudest.
As pumpkins soar, so does team morale. And with the crisp fall air and colorful leaves as your backdrop, the vibes are nothing short of cinematic. Fall is the perfect season to get outside, get creative, and send squash flying through the sky. So, catapult pumpkins with purpose, laughter, and competitive spirit.
Book your unforgettable pumpkin catapult team event now with TeamBonding! Then, check out our other Halloween themed events and fall team building activities!
