This is so neat! I've seen the tater shooters but not these.
We'll have to make a couple for our children. Thank you!

wow, my son will love it!! Thanks.

thanks so much for this! I am going to make these for my nephews and friends little boys what a great homemade gift! thanks.
I love your site! found you by home school freebie of the day!
Joy

This looks like so much fun, my 13 year old wants to make one! Him and his uncle can have a lot of fun! Thanks for this post.

An essential weapon in the outbreak of peace!

As much as I would say this is a neat idea, it saddens me we are now finding new ways to create guns for our children to play with. Marshmellows or not, your still teaching them to shoot.

Thanks for this. I still do not agree with guns and shooting but after having 3 boys I have given up.They make them out of lego, cardboard, paper, sticks and even GRASS. I draw the line at realistic weapons so these shooters are just marvellous!

I understand about some parents being anti-gun and not teaching a child to shoot. This post is not intended to be pro-gun or anti-gun. It's a simple how-to about a fun and simple toy.

But I feel I need to clarify something. As far as being a parent who was anti-gun as far as the kids were concerned, I used to be one of them.

I never allowed any type of toy gun or toy weapon - not even a toy lightsaber. Then I watched my boys at play. They made their own weapons. A stick became a sword. A tube became a gun (which they called a "pow.")

I knew that I couldn't keep them away from weapons. It would be impossible. Might as well give them something that I know isn't going to hurt them. And this shooter can also be used to teach science. I've used these to teach my boys about air pressure.

Then I decided to go all the way and teach them gun safety. It's been shown that people who have been taught proper gun safety techniques and have been introduced to guns in a safe and respectful environment - taught how to use them and what kind of damage they can do - are far safer and far less likely to cause harm to others with a gun.

You can use this toy to your advantage - as a safety training tool. Show that the marshmallow shooter is a toy, but that the real thing can cause a lot of damage if handled improperly.

Gun safety rules:
1. All guns are ALWAYS loaded. Don't treat a gun as if it's not loaded, even if the person handing it to you says that it's not loaded.

2. NEVER point a gun at anything you do not want to destroy.

3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target. Don't fire until you are ready to fire.

4. Be sure of your target. Know EXACTLY what you are shooting at, what is in line with it, and what is behind it. Be aware of your surroundings. Never shoot at anything you have not positively identified. Do not assume anything.

What to do if you find a real gun or something that looks like a real gun:
STOP!
Don't touch!
Leave the area
Tell an adult immediately

Thanks for the instructions! I, too, am/was/am still a little "anti-gun". I've never bought my kids any kind of gun until last year we got a couple of wooden ones that shoot ping pong balls. But, kids somehow come up with their own weapons and will make "guns" out of about anything.

We'll definitely use these instructions! Thanks again.

GASP! I am very excited...I have 9 kids who were sad I bought a nephew the $15 kind. Now my whole family can have one for as much!!! hooray!

1) Thanks for such a fun-to-make and fun-to-play-with toy. My kids will be very excited about this.

2) We also went through the 'no gun' months this summer when my son first discovered guns. The danger that we found in trying a 'no gun' policy was that he would then only play guns when we weren't around. We have now decided that we prefer to let him play at home so that we can at least be a part of what he is doing, and talk with him about it and play through scenarios etc. It is much harder to teach children about guns when they only play it behind your back. Having said this, we don't at this time have any toy guns. He uses other toys and pretends.

I, too have been of the ilk of "no guns". Then my son was born, and he has blown me out of the water!! I am discovering from posts like this and just from observation that boys were created with the need to pursue and conquer. This is not a bad thing, and we should not try to deny them this outlet, though I do appreciate the information about gun safety. If we do not let our sons play with toy guns, will they ever yearn to become soldiers, policemen, etc.?

So cool! My kiddo will be getting one from "Santa" and will cost us next to nothing since Hubby is a plumber and has all that stuff!!! And I'm sure I have a few packs of marshmallows! LOL. Might have to get him to make a few more for the nephews in the family. Get them outside instead of running around causing a ruckus :) hehe.

I grew up on a farm and with guns around. Having little money growing up we relied on guns for our meals. BUT we were taught very very early in life that guns are tools, like a table saw or welder and on the farm, the auger and combines and tractors, and as such need to approached with rules and extreme caution. Guns were never to left loaded BUT were to be treated as if they were always loaded. Dad also taught Hunter's Safety in the area and as a result, we were all expected to take and pass the class as soon as we were able, even if we never again handled a gun. His belief was and still is that education about guns is far more important than telling children that guns are bad or hiding them.

We made these and were shocked. We really didn't think they would work that well. Big breath and ours shot about 60 feet. COOL.

Hooray! Inexpensive presents for the whole family! We are planning the Christmas Marshmallow battle as I type. Uncles, cousins, aunts, and maybe even mom and dad will soon be attempting the "shoot through the bonfire and hit the graham cracker" trick. The dogs are going to love the unlimited dessert buffet. Thanks to you and Homeschool Freebie of the Day for the gift of fun and creativity.