Create a scissor lift launcher

What can we use instead of craft sticks, paper fasteners, or a rubber band if we can't find them?

If you can't find craft sticks, paper fasteners, or rubber bands, use sturdy strips of cardboard or wooden skewers in place of craft sticks, small brads or split pins where the instructions fasten the Xs and pivot feet, and substitute an elastic hair tie or a short piece of surgical tubing taped under the base for the rubber band.

My scissor stack won't lift the platform or the platform sticks—what should I check or fix?

If the scissor stack won't pivot or the platform sticks after you join the Xs and push fasteners through the base, check that the paper fasteners aren't tightened too much—loosen them slightly, add a tiny washer or a bit of tape under fastener heads for smoother pivots, and reinforce or retape the cardboard platform where it's taped to the top ends so it can move up and down freely.

How should we change the activity for younger kids or make it harder for older kids?

For younger children, have an adult pre-cut the 20×12 cm base and 6×6 cm platform and pre-make the two scissor pairs so kids only assemble and test the rubber-band launch under supervision, while older kids can add more scissor pairs, change rubber-band tension by moving the taped anchor, or measure and calculate how launch height changes.

How can we improve or personalize the scissor lift launcher once it's built?

To enhance the launcher, decorate the 6 cm platform, add a removable paper-clip hook or small cup for different payloads, create an adjustable rubber-band anchor with extra tape to fine-tune height, or glue a cardboard stop on the 20×12 cm base to control maximum lift.