Leonardo da Vinci: Mini Crossbow - Ages 8+

The Giant Crossbow is one of Leonardo’s most epic weapons, and his image of it with a person on top reloading it is incredible. Interestingly it did not launch spears like many smaller hand-held crossbows, but would have launched large rock balls, capable of crashing through walls or knocking down warriors in battle.
Like many of da Vinci’s designs, we don’t know if this was ever made, and it was speculated that the drawing of this enormous machine was used by Leonardo to impress the Dukes of the time to hire him as a military engineer, as it would have certainly impressed them with it’s bigness!
This easy to make mini-Giant Crossbow (yes we get the joke there) uses elastic technology (you should look that up) to launch a small projectile from 5 to 10 feet.
Strike fear in the heart of your ancient warrior Lego people that are lined up conveniently on a shelf, and take control of that important territory!

• Dimensions: 15 x 9 x 5 cm

Pathfinders is a Canadian company dedicated to creating compelling, innovative, wooden science kits that challenge children of all ages to explore the link between science, design, and technology in the world around us. They aim to help the student integrate knowledge gained from constructing the kits by providing links to educational resources to enhance their understanding of math and science as well as historical principles. Their chief educator, Derek Wulff, is a BC certified teacher who has been teaching grades K to 10 for the past 13 years. Derek designs all of the kits produced at Pathfinders for educational and recreational use. He spends time with kids in schools, making and using the kits to see how well they deliver curriculum for teachers, and to make sure they are engaging and appropriate for both fun play and educational aspects. They are an environmentally friendly company and use recyclable materials, natural, untreated wood, and local resources and production as much as possible. All of their kits are tested to make sure they are 100% kid and pet safe! They like to work with other local companies too. Their manufacturer in Taiwan is a local family-run factory, and most of the retail stores they sell to are small businesses and neighbourhood toy stores.

Recommended for ages 8+.