Making simple boats that float

Your children will love this simple invitation to create and explore with boats!

We have been exploring a broad range of under-the-sea type things from sea animals to water to boats that float in the water. For our exploration of boats, we read the book Little Tug by Steven Savage and then the children were invited to make two different types of boats.

Making boats that float by Teach Preschool

Introducing a Story

Little Tug is a simple book with fun illustrations about the smallest boat in the water and all the ways Little Tug helps the big boats.

Making boats that float by Teach Preschool

It is a great book for promoting discussion on the different kinds of boats illustrated throughout the book.

 It is a great book for promoting discussion on the different kinds of boats illustrated throughout the book...

Expanding on the Story

To extend our reading of Little Tug the children were invited to make their own boats using two different types of materials. At one table, the children found pieces of Styrofoam, scissors, markers, and toothpicks.

 Making boats that float by Teach Preschool

At the other boat making station, the children found wine corks (purchased by the bag full), rubber bands, craft foam, and toothpicks.

 Making boats that float by Teach Preschool

Preparing their Boats

The children went right to work making their boats. The Styrofoam boats were the easiest because the children only needed to decorate the foam sheets, add a Styrofoam sail with a toothpick, and they were ready to go.

 Making boats that float by Teach Preschool

The wine cork boats were a little more challenging but only because the children had to wrap the corks with a rubber band to keep them in place then poke a toothpick through the craft foam to stand up on their boat.

 Making boats that float by Teach Preschool

 Making boats that float by Teach Preschool

Testing their Boats

As the children made each type of boat, they were invited to take them over to our lake and give them a spin.

 Making boats that float by Teach Preschool

Imaginative Play

To invite pretend play with the boats, we set small animals all around the lake that the children could put on their boats. The children decided to add some of our larger animals to the mix and soon found out that the big animals would fall off or sink their boats.

 Making boats that float by Teach Preschool

We had lots and lots of boat making and floating and pretend play going on all throughout the morning.

 Making boats that float by Teach Preschool

Encouraging Experimentation

Since our cork boats wouldn’t hold the animals, the children preferred just to put those boats in their cubbies to take home and only play with the Styrofoam boats.  Some children, however, did try a little experimenting with both types of boats though.

 Making boats that float by Teach Preschool

Having fun!

This was a super fun day of exploring water, boats, floating, sinking, balance, wind, air, and sails. And talk about pretend play – the children took these animals on so many boat rides that I am quite sure most of the animals ended up a little sea-sick!

 Making boats that float by Teach Preschool

Available on Amazon

Links to Grow On

Exploring Sink or Float in Preschool

Ice Boats from Learning 4 Kids

Sink or Swim from Happy Whimsical Hearts

Deborah J Stewart

Deborah J Stewart

Every time I think I know everything I need to know about teaching young children, God says, "Hold on a minute!" and gives me a new challenge.

Let me tell ya...

With each new challenge that you overcome, you will find yourself better equipped and more passionate about teaching young children.

God didn't call wimps to lead, teach, or care for His children. Nope, he has high expectations, so get ready. You will have to give your very best but after teaching for over 30 years, I can tell you that it is a wonderful and rewarding journey.

Whenever your calling feels hard, just remember, 'He who began a good work in you (and in the children you serve) will be faithful to complete it.'

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