Lovely idea, always nice to put something together and scratch that itch.

What you need is a small weight or something that rises up a pole depending on how hard you hit it, a great visualisation.

You could even have a bell at the top, so if this small weight hits it with enough voom it could making a resounding ding sound, so life affirming.

Perhaps you could charge a 'apenny a go, and give a prize for those that can do it. Saying Roll up Roll up to passers by in a local fair.

"High Striker": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_striker