Row, Row, Row Your Boat

Boat Play on Dry Land

Why play this way?

Who says you need water to set sail? Not us? These actives invite your little ones to learn more about boats by researching, creating and of curse by using their imaginations to bring their boat play to life. We love the way this play encourages children to dive deeper into both play and learning! 

Arts & Crafts
Transportation
Music
large motor
Fine Motor
Let's Play!

SET THE STAGE FOR PLAY: NO PREP!

Adult Participation: Optional

LOOKING FOR MUSIC TO ACCOMPANY YOUR PLAY?

Listen to these real live boat sounds as you bring this book to life through each of the fun play activities below. Enjoy!

Become a boat

Let's have some fun pretending to be boats! Imagine you're a boat and get ready to move your body. 

Choose what kind of boat you want to be and sail away on your imaginative adventure! 

Here are some open-ended questions to help support this play:

  • How will you move as a boat?
  • Where are you? On the ocean, a lake, or a river?
  • Are there other boats around you?'
  • What's the weather like? Is it calm or stormy?
  • Are you a boat doing an important job? (e.g. a rescue boat, a ferry, or a tugboat)?

Build a pretend boat for the whole family

Grab some sofa cushions, cardboard boxes, pillows and/or blankets and construct your family-sized boat. 

Climb in and let your imagination carry you away. 

Guided play prompts to extend your voyage:

  • Where should we travel to?
  • Who/what will we see?
  • Should we drop anchor?
  • Do you want to catch some fish?

Create a boat collage

Get crafty and create a boat scene using your favorite art supplies.

Design your own water background, or print one of these.

Add boats to your water!

  • Draw or paint.
  • Glue in boat pictures from magazines or newspapers.
  • Collage your own boats using bits of paper.

Optional: Print and cut out some of these boat images.

Water Backgrounds
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why our members love the book club

*****
Our family loves the LMNOPlay Book Club!
"Not only do we get high-quality books with engaging perspectives from well-known authors, the activities included expand how we experience the story with our 3-year-old son. Accessible, fun and educational!"
*****
We can't wait to get the next delivery!
"The activity card suggestions were easy to put together and fun for the kids. They provided a nice supplement to the story, and extended the enjoyment of the books."
*****
associated activities are amazing!
"They not only help my grandson see the relationship between an exciting subject and the real-world principles involved, but they also strongly personalize the experience for him. He learns that reading is fun, and that learning satisfies his natural curiosity."
*****
Looking forward to gifting these again!
"I have always gifted books at birthdays and these felt like a natural extension of the gifts I already give. It's nice to also be able to give my friends something that comes with additional activities they may not have thought to do."
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