Build Your Own Toy Boat
Why play this way?
This activity is ALWAYS a winner. Because children love the creative work of building their own boats, they are motivated through both successes and failures, and become more flexible and resilient engineers. Not to mention, they will remember this read and play connection long after it ends.
SET THE STAGE FOR PLAY: 15 Minutes
Ready
Household items for boat building:
- Empty yogurt, egg carton or other waterproof containers
- Pencils, popsicle sticks, chopsticks, straws
- Bits of cloth and/or paper, corks and sponges
- Rubber bands and tape, small balls of dough (for ballast or mast support)
Large tub of water (or use the sink/bathtub!)
Set
Set up your workspace with all of your collected materials.
Think about all of the different boats that you have seen or know about.
For more inspiration, check out the boat images below.
Play!
In this activity the making of your boat is most of the playing and learning, so embrace the process!
Choose a base or hull for your boat. Build your boat using your collected materials.
Here are a few guided play prompts to help extend your thinking:
- How will your boat move? Will it have a sail, motor, or oars?
- Will you need to add special features? (e.g. a fishing rod, seats, tow rope, searchlight etc.).
When you are all done with your build, set sail in your tub or sink!
- Be prepared to make adjustments if your boat doesn’t float, or it tips over.
- For extra fun, add in a fan, or blow through a straw, to recreate a little “storm.”
PLAY YOUR WAY! What else can you do with these open ended materials?
