Quick Craft for Kids — Toy Boats

Need a super quick craft to keep the kids busy? Here is a really simple toy boat the kids can make themselves, then race in a local creek, lake, or even in your own bathtub! My kids love making their own toys, so this activity was a big hit with them, plus it uses mostly recycled materials!

Quick Craft for Kids -- DIY Toy Boats to race in the creek.

To make your own toy boat, you will need:

— 3 wine corks

— toothpick

— rubber bands

— cotton string

— card stock paper or thin cardboard (you can recycle an empty cereal box or file folder)

Quick Craft for Kids -- DIY Toy Boats to race in the creek.

Directions:

1. Wrap 3 wine corks with two rubber bands.

2. If you plan to race your toy boat in a creek or lake, attach a length of cotton string to keep your boat from floating away. However, if it does happen to float off, it is made from natural materials that will break down and decompose.

3. Insert a toothpick into the middle cork (inbetween the two rubber bands) to form the mast. Add a cardstock sail by threading it through the toothpick, as shown.

Visit a local creek, lake, or your own bathtub or water table for some creative water play!!

Quick Craft for Kids -- DIY Toy Boats to race in the creek.

Looking for other inspiring water play ideas?? Here are 10 Ways to Stay Cool with Water Play and our Water Fun for Kids Pinterest Board has plenty of other ideas to keep the kids entertained this Summer.

Have fun!!

** post contains affiliate links.

Comments

  1. Dear Valerie,

    It will take some work, but I’m willing to do what it takes to recycle wine corks. *hic*

    Love,
    Mark

  2. I need to raid our collection of corks for this craft. Really cool!

  3. Thanks for the idea. i have set this up for the children to try tomorrow!

  4. Right up my alley – super quick, super easy & super fun!

  5. What a clever idea, I used to race leaf boats when I was a kid. This would be so much better. Will pass the idea on to my niece and nephew!

  6. These boats are adorable. Great way to recycle those corks.
    Thanks!

  7. Thanks for such nice idea and it is so easy. My son had lot of fun!

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    ASpoolofThread
    http://www.aspoolofthread.etsy.com

  9. Thank you so much for this great toy idea! I work at a bar and have been saving our corks so I can make a fleet as Christmas presents for my nephews. May even use smaller corks to make little sailor guys!

  10. These are perfect. Making these kits as an activity during my daughter’s birthday hike. Lovely!