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Home > Arts and Crafts Projects for Kids > Easy Boat Making Crafts for Children
Below you will find many toy boats and ships making crafts activities for your kids. Learn how to make your own handmade sailboats, boats, hovercrafts, ships, bathtub boats, and other types of toy boats that really float
Alka
Seltzer Powered Bathtub Boat - My daughter had a school assignment to bring a boat that could
cross a fish tank under its own power. It was legal for dads to help.
Some chose rubber band power. I decided on bubbles from Alka Seltzer
mixing with water.
Aluminum
Wrapped Boat - Go sailing through summer with these free, easy sailboat crafts for
kids.
Backyard
Wooden Boat - With some parental guidance and a chunk of balsa wood you can
create a genuine craft to navigate that brook that will last for
years to come. Follow this step-by-step guide and build your own
floating masterpiece.
Bark
Boats - This craft project teaches everyone that all you need is to find a
few natural things from what we have around us and you can make a toy
more beautiful than any you can buy in the shops. They are easy to
make. Start off with a piece of bark that floats nicely.
Bath
Craft - This clever catamaran turns your bathtub into a glamorous port of
call.
Bathtub
Sail Boat - Follow this step by step guide to making a simple toy boat and your
kid will definitely have endless hours of fun in the bathtub.
Boat
on a Stick - As kids, one of our favorite toys to play with was a boat fashioned
out of scrap lumber. Tie that boat to a stick and we would spend
hours racing our boats around on the shoreline. It was a simple
pleasure, but one that we created for ourselves by sneaking into
dad’s workshop. The boats never were much, but they were ours.
And you can easily build one with your kids using simple tools, scrap
lumber, and a little creativity.
Boat
Place Card - Paper boats mark each place at a special table just for kids. With
some assistance, kids can assemble the boats and write the names on
the name-tag sails.
Bottle
Boat - It is a boat that is made with simple materials and is easy to
make. It is good for the environment and we can use it for something
useful in the future.
Box
Sailboat - Build a sailboat from paper and recycled boxes.
Build
a Hovercraft - You might think it would be difficult to learn how to build a
hovercraft but it is really not all that hard to make a quick little
hovercraft for a school science project or just for fun at home on
the weekend. All you really need for learning how to build a
hovercraft are a few simple household items and tools.
Build
a Toy Sailboat - Taking into account the drying time for the sealant, this sailboat
should take a novice no more than two days to make. When it is done,
your child will enjoy playing with his new toy sailboat in his room
or in the bathtub. This classic toy will not only be fun for your
child, but it will also be more meaningful to the both of you than
something bought at the store.
Build-Your-Boats - Sailboats have been used for at least 5000 years. Ancient Egyptians
drifted down the Nile with the current, and then raised their sail to
go back up the river. The Chinese invented a way to change wind.
Canoes (kenu means dugout) were developed by the Carib Indians and
other Native Americans over thousands of years. Rafts, kayaks, and
many other types of early boats are also still used today.
Carton
Boat -
Now that you’ve learned about some sunken ships from the
past-it’s time for you to make your own boat. Unfortunately,
you won’t be able to sail in this boat, but you can place it in
water and watch it float! You make this small boat using some common
items located in your house. But make sure you ask an adult for some
help before you begin.
Chinese
Dragon Boat - Dragon boat racing began more than 2000 years ago. People in China
believed that the boat race would ensure a prosperous harvest. Today
dragon boat races are held in many countries. The races are primarily
fun ways to learn about Chinese history and culture.
Christopher-Columbus-Ship - Create a Christopher Columbus ship while learning some fun facts
about this holiday.
Classic
Paper Boat - The paper boat is a folded boat able to swim - for a while.
Obviously it is well known all over the world.
Cork
Catamaran Boat - All you need is corks and cocktail sticks to make these adorable
little boats. If you don't have any cocktail stick handy then you can
always use matchsticks sharpened to a point.
Cork
Sail Boat - Find some old corks and slice them in half. Grab some toothpick and
paper and you now have a simple yet fun toy boat!
Dragon
Boat - A dragon boat (also dragonboat) is a very long and narrow
canoe-style human-powered boat. It is now used in the team paddling
sport of dragon boat racing which originated in China over 2000 years
ago.
Dragon
Boat Stick Puppets - Dragon boat races are a popular sport in Asian countries and around
the world. Find out about these beautiful boats and the rowers who
propel them through the water. Then make several of these puppets to
hold your own dragon boat races.
Easy
Bottle Boat - This is a great toy for your young children that will supply hours
of fun. Caution I am not liable if you hurt yourself.
Easy
Paper Boat - Easy great looking and fun paper boat. You only need one A4 paper
(print). Make your own right now.
Egg
Carton Sailboat - Sail through the boredom of summer with these free, easy sailboat
crafts for kids.
Egg
Carton Sailboat - To make this craft project you will need an egg carton, some
toothpicks or straws, scissors, tape, construction paper, markers,
and clay. Those are pretty easy to get materials for a fun to make
project!
Eggshell
Ships - With a tissue paper sail, this boat is kitchen sink-worthy (as long
as the wind remembers not to blow too hard)
Float
a Flower Boat - Kids can honor our country's fallen soldiers by making special
Memorial Day crafts. Create a float a flower boat that commemorates
heroes from the US Navy who died at sea.
Float
Your Boat - Get your child juiced about crafting with recyclables by turning an
empty OJ carton into a working paddle wheel-powered sailboat.
Foam
Boats - These boats are fairly sturdy and take only a minute to make. All
you need is a rectangle of "fun foam" and a stapler.
Foil
Fleet - It takes only a few minutes to rig up one of these toy sailboats.
Forever
Floating - I remember making paper boats as a child but after their first
voyage they could never be used again. Then somebody told me about
the boats that would always float. At once the idea appealed to me
and I tried making the unsinkable boat. It actually never sank. Would
you also like to try making one?
Fortune
Boats - Follow these easy step by step instructions to make colorful
fortune boats to celebrate the Chinese New Year!
Fortune
Boat Lamp - We are positive that you'll love this little Fortune Boat Lamp by
one of the V&A Designers!
Halves
Boat - This is a good craft to use to introduce preschool children to the
concept of halves. (it also provides good shapes and colors
practice).
Hovercraft - A hovercraft is a boat that runs on air which gives it less
friction and more thrust as is moves along. This is a great example
to make one of your own.
Hovercraft
Toy Boat - Make a simple homemade toy hovercraft using a compact disk and
learn from this video tutorial.
How
to Make a Styrofoam Boat - Commonly employed as a packing material, Styrofoam is available in
blocks, boards, sheets and chips. Though solid, it is very light and
can float. You can even build a simple, workable toy boat out of it.
Below, you'll learn how to make your own Styrofoam boat.
Iceberg
Cruiser Ship - Cruise ships are like floating cities. Ocean liners employ as many
as 1,500 chefs, DJs, lifeguards, magicians, doctors, photographers,
housekeepers, and wait staff. Find out more about how these
magnificent ships are built and operate. Choose a destination and
design a breathtaking scene along the way, such as Alaska’s
Inside Passage.
Jet
Boat - Kids will love being the captain of this balloon-powered jet boat
-- perfect for racing in pools, ponds and bathtubs.
Jungle
Boat - Make a little jungle boat suitable for floating down the Amazon
...or perfect for the kiddie pool! This is a project that quite a few
of us got involved in doing!
Make
a Hovercraft - Most people think that hovercrafts are very sophisticated
structures that are difficult to construct. However, through the
steps below, you can build it in a few hours using ordinary
materials.
Make
a Toy Boat & Water Mill - Learn how to cut Popsicle sticks for a toy boat with expert tips
and advice on kids’ crafts in this free video clip on toy boats
and water mills.
Milk
Boats - These cute boats are a fun and easy summer project even for a group
of kids. The basic materials are a discarded milk carton, straw and
napkin.
Milk
Carton Boat - Enjoy your bath time experience with this easy to make, recyclable
and eco-friendly kids craft project.
Milk
Carton Sailboat - Sail through summer with these free, easy sailboat crafts for kids.
Milk
Carton Toy Sailboat - This is a fun craft that actually floats - kids who made these had
a lot of fun playing outside in tubs of water with their boats over
the summer!
Mini-Styrofoam
Sailboat - Make summer fun with these free, easy sailboat crafts for kids.
Model
Sailboat - This ship-shape little sailboat is a snap to make. Kids will love
how fast it comes together and how sturdy the finished product is.
Noah's
Ark - This is a fun way to explore the story of Noah. Not only does it
use a common recyclable material but it will float too! This craft is
divided into three sections and could be used over a period of three
weeks to tell the various parts of the story of Noah.
Oil
Spill - Investigate the impact of oil spills and efforts made to prevent
and clean up such environmental accidents.
Origami
Canoe-
Many of the creations shown here is difficult - requiring large
paper. The canoe, however, can be made from a standard six-inch
origami sheet, available in crafts shops.
Origami
Boat - What fantastic fun to make an origami boat so easily and then float
it! To make the boat last longer when it's on water, try using foil
paper or grease-proof paper.
Origami
Sail Boat - In this diagram, you can make two origami sailboats out of a piece
of paper. You will need a pair of scissors for this model.
Paddlewheel
Boat - Make these toy paddlewheel boats and play with them in a pond. Make
these with your friends and have boat races. We suggest that you get
some help from an adult with this project since it uses power tools
although they can be built with hand tools.
Paddlewheel
Steamboat - Transportation was transformed with the invention of the steamboat.
Imagine heading up (or down) the Mississippi with this creative
replica.
Paper
Boat - Using a piece of regular office paper you can fold a boat that
floats on water.
Paper
Boat for Sink-
This is a cool paper boat that can sail if your paper is waterproof
or thick enough (but not to thick or you won't be able to fold it).
Paper
Catamaran - Cut and fold a sailing catamaran for your nearest "ocean".
It can carry a crew of ants, peoples, or some of your sister's
favorite (miniature) dolls.
Paper
Cup Sailboat - Sail through summer with these free, easy sailboat crafts for kids.
This project requires adult assistance to cut off the top half of the
cup with a knife of scissors.
Pine
Bark Toy Boat - Try making one of these toy sailboats with your child to spark
their curiosity about mother nature and engineering. They’re
free and easy to make and provide a wonderful opportunity for them to
learn while doing something fun! My grandfather used to make them
with me and we’d always compete to see whose boat would make it
across the puddle first. Then we’d make adjustments and do it
all over again for hours of afternoon fun!
Plastic
Bottle Sailboat - Spend an afternoon making a sailboat out of a plastic bottle,
producing a toy that can be used over and over again. It is a way to
recycle old plastic bottles, and can provide a fun experience for
children of all ages. These boats can be sailed in any water source,
from the bathtub to a local brook.
Pop-pop
or put-put steamboat - Children, from about 6 years old on, can make this real steam
propelled boat under adult supervision. This pop-pop or put-put steam
boat requires neither soldering nor gluing. No drilling or puncturing
is needed. It does involve an easy to make bending tool.
Puddle
Boat - Spring showers set the stage for the type of adventure found only
in a big rain puddle -- like setting afloat a toy boat.
RC
Bottle toy boat - Remember that each boat is unique. Consider this a suggestion to
what you should do with the motor of your defunct RC boat/plane/car.
Recycled
Boat - Reusing material to make an RC boat greener and cooler. Reuse an
old rc boat that doesn't have motor. Take a motor and all the wires
from an old RC car; 2 9v batteries; a led from the rc car controller;
a drinking straw, 2 red LEDs that do not work; 6AA batteries that
don't work; and finally I got a solar panel that recharges 9v and AA
batteries.
Recycled Sailboat Crafts Idea for Kids - Reuse old materials to make your own toy boat.
Recycled
Toy Boats - Though they're nothing new, these boats are a favorite of mine as
they have my key ingredients for a fun young children's project: they
require simple materials, they allow for a child's own design or
embellishment and they're quick to make.
Red
Toy sailboat - This is a step by step guide on how to build a toy sailboat for a
pond or pool. Enjoy!
Rubber-Band
Powered Altoids Boat - This instructable is on how to build a Rubber-Band Powered Altoids
Boat! Perhaps you remember making a boat out of a milk carton as a
kid. Now here's one out of an Altoids Tin! They are a great thing to
do with kids. Also you don't have to worry about using batteries
either! (Green power!) So work hard, have fun, and play nice.
Rubber
Band Powered Tugboat – Children will have a swell time playing with and watching
this rubber band powered tugboat glide effortlessly through the
water!
Sail
Away! - Sail away with this breezy sculpture! Imagine you’re
exploring the seas with a mini version of your favorite craft.
Sail
with the Vikings - Sail into your own adventures! Explore the high seas on a Viking
ship--with beasts at bow and stern. Vikings made huge ships that had
heavy armor and ornate designs. Many Viking ships had carved images
of sea creatures or other mythical beasts at their bow (front) and
stern (back).
Sailing
Walnut Boats - To make this craft project you will need a walnut shell, a
toothpick, a tiny lump of clay or gum, a piece of paper, and some
markers. Those are pretty easy to get materials for a fun to make
project.
Santa's
Toy Boat - It's the season for giving and Santa has gone out of his way to
share some tips with the young ones on how to build their own toy
boat.
Seashell
Sailboat - This mini craft takes only a minute or two to assemble, and it's
just right for launching in a kiddie pool or bathtub.
Shark
Chasing A Boat-
Imagine a sailor at sea, looking for a safe port. The seas are rough
and a hungry shark is following close behind!! What happens next? Use
your imagination and anything is possible!
Ship
Ahoy! - If boredom's got your kids walking the plank, let them turn a
refrigerator box on its side and set sail on the waves of their
imagination.
Ship-Shaped
Favors - These miniature clay vessels, filled with a tasty cargo of nuts and
dried berries, make the perfect favors for young dinner guests.
Simple
Sailboat Craft - You can make these cute little toy boats in just a few minutes.
They are great for preschoolers and kindergartners to practice
cutting with scissors, drawing, and molding clay.
Simple
Shoebox Boat - Set sail on the high seas in this simple boat!
Simple
Toy Sailboat Craft - Take the doldrums out of a rainy day with this relatively easy to
make simple craft project.
Soap
Bar Box Sailboat - Sail through summer with these free, easy sailboat crafts for kids.
Sombrero-Boat - Here is the instructable on a sombrero boat! Made out of cardboard,
this is simplicity itself!
Sponge
Toy Sailboat-
This craft project shows you how to make a sailboat out of a sponge,
straw and construction paper. Get ready to sail the day away!
Styrofoam
Motor Boat - This toy boat project might still be a work in progress but with
your creative minds, you can actually make it look a lot better.
Styrofoam
Sailboat - With this project, you not only get to work on making a toy boat
but also discuss with the children the concept of drag in
relationship to a sailboat.
Styrofoam
Toy Boat - Use this sleepover planning guide for great arts and crafts ideas
for kids. These Styrofoam boats with sails are fun and easy for
preschoolers to make!
Super
Sailboat - This pint-size -- or, more precisely, liter-size -- craft offers a
decent approximation of a high-seas sailboat. And since it's
constructed from common household items, it's a lot cheaper than the
real thing! Unsinkable thanks to its Styrofoam float, the boat also
features a handy screw eye on the bow to which you can attach a
fishing line for easy maneuvering or reeling in. Ready to make sail?
Toddler
Sail Boat Craft - Although your little one will not be able to take this craft in
with them when they take a bath it will be a sail boat that they can
enjoy out of the water. How to Make a Toy Boat Crafts Idea for Kids and Preschoolers.
Toy
Boats - Old blocks are delightfully seaworthy. You and your deckhands can
glue, paint, and decorate them, and -- splash! -- one plaything
becomes another. Accessorize your vessel using household items with
undiscovered nautical potential. Man made his very first boats from
wood, so you are upholding ancient tradition while at the same time
recycling.
Toy
Boats with Helen - If your children have outgrown their old wooden blocks, don't
discard or pack them away. As TV stylist Helen Quinn explains,
transforming blocks into a virtual marina of toy boats is a simple
undertaking, and you can easily embellish them using everyday
materials: bottle caps for smokestacks, a sardine can for a dinghy,
masts made from chopsticks, and even mailing envelopes for sails.
Toy
Canoe - Like the birch bark canoes built centuries ago by the Indian tribes
in New England, this lightweight toy craft cuts quickly and smoothly
through water.
Trash
& Recyclables Boat - Now this is a family themed activity and not just for the little
kids. This is a quickie guide on how to make a boat. This is just an
example. So go out and find your own trash! Building a boat can be a
great activity for the whole family to enjoy!
Viking
Ship - Leif Ericson and his Vikings may have been the first Europeans to
come to Newfoundland. Sail on a legendary journey in your own sturdy
ship.
Voyages
in a Bottle - Imagine the bravery needed to be an explorer! Think about getting
in a ship and heading where no one else has gone. Explorers often
brought misery to the indigenous people they came upon and their
exploits changed the course of history. Create a fitting tribute to
explorers of the high seas. Design tiny sailing ships in a recycled
plastic bottle.
Wagon
Boat Mini Float - You won't believe how easily this ship shapes up using a pull-along
wagon, some brightly colored duct tape, and scrap cardboard. The
nautical bumpers, made from plastic bottles, can also keep your
sailor's thirst quenched during the voyage down Main Street.
Water
bottle boat - This boat is made out of a motor, fan, water bottle, film canister,
wire, tin foil, and a C battery. The water bottle glides above the
surface while the motor is submerged.
Windup
Toy Boat – This is a small boat that you wind up and it will go forward
in a pond or swimming pool.
Wooden
Sailboat - This small sailboat is the perfect decoration to give any room a
maritime look any time of the year. This wood craft is quick and easy
for novice woodworkers, too.