If you have found this blog you have received your boat kit... Yea!!
For this activity you will be using closed cell foam to make a boat.
You can make any kind of boat you want, let me give you a few ideas. Then use your imagination to do what you like best.
Send me a picture of your boat and I will add it to the blog for others to see.
Here is my favorite boat I made... happy sailing R2D2.
These three examples show boats without the foam being shaped, of course with adult help the foam can be trimmed to look like a boat.
1) Balloon boat
This boat uses a 3/8" elbow to connect a balloon to the boat.
Push a hole into the foam (you may need help) I used an envelope opener.
Push the 3/8" elbow into the foam.
Keep pushing until the elbow goes all the way in.
The barbed end will look like this.
You want the elbow pointed to the back of the boat.
Attach the balloon to the large opening.
Blow up the balloon and cover the hole on the bottom to keep the air in until you get to the water.
(I found if I blow up the balloon and then have someone pinch off the air, I can put the balloon back onto the elbow.)
(I found if I blow up the balloon and then have someone pinch off the air, I can put the balloon back onto the elbow.)
Here is one in the bathtub...
The ripples of water are made by the balloon pushing out the air,
2) Sail boat
By pressing a stick into the foam you can attach a paper sail.
Here is an example...
Notice the hole, this was where the 3/8" elbow was inserted for the balloon.
3) Paddle wheel boat (most difficult and will need adult help)
See photo below
Adult - Make a cutout for the paddle wheel
Adult - Cut of an inch off each side of the foam paddle
Adult - Take the paddle piece and slice it in half like cutting open a bagel
Adult - Cut a slit in each foam piece as shown (the slit will expand when you push them together)
Adult - Insert Ka-bob skewers in the the foam to give support to the paddle wheel
Adult - Help assemble as needed
Example of the finished boat
This boat could also be improved by using two pieces of plastic for the paddle like cutting the lid of an ice cream pail, etc.
The most important part is to have fun while you learn some handcraft skills!
