Challenges & Competitions

Ninja Catapult Challenge

Design, build, test and launch your own catapult in this hands-on National STEM Day challenge!

Sunday, November 8, 202610:00 AM–2:00 PM

FreeopenAges 6–15

Celebrate National STEM Day with the Ninja Catapult Challenge! Young engineers will design and build their own working catapult using materials provided by Code Ninjas, then test and improve their creation before putting it to the ultimate challenge: How far can you launch it?

Participants compete within their own age group, with a maximum of 15 participants per session. Everyone gets to take their catapult home and receives a special 3D-printed keepsake.

Prizes will be awarded in each age group: $25 for 1st place, $15 for 2nd place and $10 for 3rd place.

No previous engineering or coding experience is required. Just bring your creativity, problem-solving skills and Ninja spirit!

DESIGN IT. BUILD IT. TEST IT. LAUNCH IT

Choose a Session

How the Challenge Works

Each participant will receive the materials needed to build their own catapult.

DESIGN IT: Think about how your catapult will work and plan your design.

BUILD IT: Turn your idea into a working catapult using the materials provided.

TEST IT: Try it out, make adjustments and improve your design.

LAUNCH IT: Put your creation to the test in the official distance challenge!

Participants compete only against others in their own age group. Each session is limited to 15 participants.

Prizes & Keepsake

Prizes will be awarded separately in each age group:

1st Place: $25 Gift Card
2nd Place: $15 Gift Card
3rd Place: $10 Gift Card

Every participant will also receive a special 3D-printed Ninja keepsake and can take their catapult home after the challenge.

What to Expect

Each session is 60 minutes and is limited to 15 participants.

All building materials and the official launch balls will be provided by Code Ninjas Stouffville. No previous engineering, coding or catapult-building experience is required.

Participants will have time to design, build, test and improve their catapult before the official challenge.

Please arrive 10 minutes before your session so we can check everyone in and start on time.

Participants should wear comfortable clothing suitable for a hands-on building activity.

What to Bring

Just bring your creativity and Ninja spirit!

All materials and equipment needed for the challenge will be provided by Code Ninjas Stouffville.

Participants do not need to bring tools, building materials or a catapult from home.

A water bottle is recommended.

Choose Your Session

Choose the age group and time that work best for your family. Availability is updated from the live registration system.

Sunday, November 8, 2026

Ages 6–8

10:00 AM–11:00 AM

9 spots available

Ages 9–11

11:30 AM–12:30 PM

11 spots available

Ages 12–15

1:00 PM–2:00 PM

15 spots available

Before you attend

Participants must use the materials provided for the challenge. Everyone will have time to design, build and test their catapult before the official launches. Official launches will use the same type of ball provided by Code Ninjas. Participants must launch using their catapult only. Throwing, pushing or carrying the ball is not permitted. Participants compete only within their registered age group. Staff measurements and challenge results are final. Please arrive on time so every participant has the full building and testing period.

Questions and answers

Does my child need any previous experience?

No. No previous engineering, coding or catapult-building experience is required. The challenge is designed for beginners as well as kids who already enjoy STEM activities. Code Ninjas staff will explain the challenge and be available to help throughout the session.

Does my child need to bring anything?

No. Code Ninjas Stouffville will provide all materials and equipment needed to build, test and launch the catapult. Participants should not bring their own catapult, tools or building materials. A water bottle is recommended.

How will the competition be judged?

Participants will compete within their own age group. After the building and testing period, each participant will have 3 official launches using the standard ball provided by Code Ninjas. The longest valid launch distance will count as their final result. Code Ninjas staff will measure and record the official launches.

What happens if there is a tie?

If two or more participants in the same age group have the same longest valid launch distance, they will have an additional tie-breaker launch. Tie-breaker launches will continue as needed until the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place results are determined.

Can siblings participate?

Yes. Siblings are welcome to participate. Each child must be registered individually in the session that corresponds to their age. Each session is limited to 15 participants, so availability may differ between age groups.

Can my child take their catapult home?

Yes. Participants can take home the catapult they build during the challenge. Each participant will also receive a special 3D-printed Ninja keepsake to remember the event.

Do parents need to stay during the event?

A parent or guardian must remain available during the session. Parents are welcome to watch the challenge, but participants should design and build their catapults themselves. Code Ninjas staff will supervise the activity and provide guidance when needed.

What happens if we need to cancel our registration?

If your child can no longer attend, please cancel the registration as soon as possible so the spot can be made available to another participant. With only 15 spots in each age group, advance notice is appreciated.

Is there a cost to participate?

No. The Ninja Catapult Challenge is FREE to participate in, but advance registration is required because each age-group session is limited to 15 participants.

What are the prizes?

Prizes will be awarded separately in each of the three age groups:

1st Place: $25 Gift Card
2nd Place: $15 Gift Card
3rd Place: $10 Gift Card

Every participant will also receive a special 3D-printed Ninja keepsake, and they can take their catapult home after the challenge.

What if my child is between age groups or has a birthday close to the event?

Please register your child for the age group that matches their age on November 8, 2026, the day of the event. The three challenge groups are ages 6–8, 9–11 and 12–15.

What time should we arrive?

Please arrive about 10 minutes before your registered session so we have time to check everyone in and get participants ready.

Session times are:

Ages 6–8: 10:00–11:00 AM
Ages 9–11: 11:30 AM–12:30 PM
Ages 12–15: 1:00–2:00 PM

Will my child get help if their catapult does not work?

Yes. Code Ninjas staff will be available throughout the building and testing period to provide guidance and help participants troubleshoot problems. The goal is for each child to do their own designing and building, so staff will guide them rather than build the catapult for them.

How many children can participate?

Each age-group challenge is limited to 15 participants.

There are three sessions, for a maximum of 45 participants across the entire event:

Ages 6–8: 15 participants
Ages 9–11: 15 participants
Ages 12–15: 15 participants

Registration is first come, first served and a session may close once all 15 spots are filled.

Is this a coding event?

No. The Ninja Catapult Challenge is a hands-on STEM engineering challenge, not a coding class.

Participants will use creativity, problem-solving, design and basic engineering concepts to build, test and improve their catapults.

No coding experience is required.

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