Build A Boat That Floats
Foil, tape, and one passenger who must not get wet.
- Ages
- 4–12 yrs
- Play
- 20–45 min
- Prep
- 6 min
- Mess
- some
- Energy
- calm
- Where
- at the table
You’ll need
Things you probably have at home.
- foil or a bottle for the hullGet it on Amazon
- water
- a tub of waterGet it on Amazon
- a small figure as the passenger
Optional
- tapeGet it on Amazon
- straws and sticks for a mastGet it on Amazon
- paper for a sailGet it on Amazon
- counters as cargo
How to play
Before you start: Fill a tub with water and set out foil, tape and the boat-building bits.
Set the challenge: a boat that carries the a small figure as the passenger across the tub without sinking.
Let them build the first one entirely their own way, even if you can see it will fail.
Test it. If it sinks, ask what happened before offering anything.
Build a second, wider, flatter one and test again.
Once it floats, load it with counters one at a time and count how many it takes before it goes under.
What it helps with
Keep it safe
- Standing water needs constant supervision at any depth.
- Dry the floor as you go.
Make it different next time
- Add a paper sail and blow it across.
- Compete for the boat that carries the most cargo.
Cleanup: Squeeze the foil out to dry and it can be reused once.
Three more like this
- Good for siblings
