With a nod to her less gentle side, Elderberry also makes a great popgun. The following directions are from Nuyaka Creek Winery, where you can also get elderberry wine if you'd prefer not to make your own. I've never tried them, so if you do, let me know how it is in the comments below.
How to make Elderberry Popguns
The Barrel: Select a long straight stalk at least one foot in length, and then work to pull and push out the spongy center. This is the barrel.
The Ramrod: Next make a ramrod out of a piece of hickory. On the one end, leave the bark on for a large handle of about three inches. Then cut (real kids whittle) the rest of the hickory into a long round stick-like section, slightly smaller in diameter than the barrel.
The Ammo: Take a piece of paper, soak it in water (real kids chaw their own paper, on the spot) and make a wad which you insert into the end of the barrel so that it's fairly tight. A second wad is then inserted into the opposite end.
Firing: With one swift shove of the Ramrod, the air between the wads is compressed to such a high degree that the first wad fires out with a satisfying bang!