From the page: Styrofoam that turns into creative gold
Idea 8
Kids' floats and little boats
Floating toys made of lightweight materials are a tradition in many cultures, from bark boats to straw rafts. Styrofoam works because it is basically air trapped in plastic: it weighs almost nothing, so it displaces enough water to float even carrying weight on top.
What you need
- Clean styrofoam trays
- Craft knife or strong scissors
- Toothpicks or wooden skewers
- Colored paper, craft foam or fabric scraps for the sails
- White glue or adhesive tape
- Markers or non-toxic paint to decorate
How to make it
-
1
Cut boat hulls or triangular floats from the tray with the craft knife, about 4 to 6 inches. Wider shapes at the base are more stable in the water, because they increase the support base.
-
2
Lightly sand the edges by hand or with fine sandpaper to remove splinters and leave the contour clean and pleasant to touch.
-
3
Decorate the hull with markers or non-toxic paint. Bright colors help the child see the toy from far away in the pool or basin.
-
4
Stick a skewer in the center of the hull as a mast — it stays firm because the styrofoam holds the rod by pressure, without needing glue on the joint.
-
5
Cut a sail from paper or craft foam in a triangle and glue it to the mast. If you make two boats, it's worth holding a regatta in a large basin.
-
6
For the floats, cut rings or fish shapes and test in the water before handing over, adjusting the weight if anything sinks.
Finishing touches
make a whole fleet in different sizes — children figure out in practice which shape floats best. For bath time in the sun, a hole with string lets you pull the boat back without getting wet.
This is one of the ideas from the full page — see all the possibilities.
This page feeds the collective knowledge 🌱 — every discovery makes the next answer better.