If you are looking for a fun, inexpensive craft or activity to do with your kids this summer- this one covers both, it is fun to make and then double the fun when playing. We pulled out a bunch of our supplies and made 3 different kinds of boats, it even turned into a bit of an engineering and science activity. Keeping your kids busy and having fun doesn't require expensive toys with lights, noises, or power-ups. Often the simplest things are the most enjoyable (remember when they preferred the cardboard box to the toy?) My kids were fascinated by the boats we were able to put together from items that were just laying around the house. The first boat we crafted was little toy sailboat.
How to Make Toy Boats Using Wine Corks
3 corks are simply strapped together with a small rubber band on each end. I used tiny rubber bands for little girls hair but you could use small office supply rubber bands as well. Press a toothpick into the middle cork, and cut a sail from craft foam. Pierce your sail through the toothpick and you're ready to go. Let the kids decorate their sails with a marker if they want -the water will wash most of it away but it's still fun and they can just redecorate the next time. The kids had a ball blowing this one across the water and racing their boats across our “river”. An under the bed storage box is a great investment for all sorts of water play outdoors-boats, sensory bins, holding water balloons, and more.
This will be a go-to homemade toy for us all summer. Even my 3-year-old was able to “build” her boat with minimal help and set it sailing. They would be fun in a large swimming pool, wading pool, or even a summer puddle.
How to Make Toy Boats Using Plastic Straws
The next boat was this fun and colorful straw raft. I picked up a large pack of bendy straws for just under $2.00. Cut the straws just under the bend, cut duct tape up the middle and lay them on your table at either end of one of your straws, continue placing straws until the desired width is reached. Wrap duct tape around straws, keeping them flat. It floats wonderfully and is great for stacking small items on to test its buoyancy-bringing some science into the fun!
How to Make Toy Boats Using Foil
Finally, we made simple aluminum foil boats, remember those from your childhood? They can be fashioned into any shape and float well as long as the ends are sealed. I flattened our bottom to make it resemble a canoe. These 3 boats brought over and hour of fun and playtime to the kids, and not a remote control in site. Simple pleasures folks.
Take a little time this summer to enjoy some simple pleasures that homemade toys can bring. The joy of building it yourself and then seeing it in action.