sponge sailboat craft

Sponge Sailboat Craft for Kids

Temperatures sure are rising so if you are in a search of a fun activity to cool with this sponge sailboat craft is just a thing to do with the kids.

These are not only fun to make, they are also extremely fun to play with. Your kids will be able to play with them in a tub of water or have a sailboat race in the nearby stream.

What you need Sponges -Used Ocelo brand, and they were 4.5″ x 3″ x 1/2″ Wood Skewers -used 8″ skewers but 12″ is fine construction paper scissors wire cutters glue

Trim your sponges with scissors. Green was trimmed in thirds Pink & Yellow cut in half Purple cut in half lengthwise (see notes)

For the Green sponges, I cut the skewer with the wire cutter to about 5.5″ in length. For all other sponges, I used the full size, 8″ skewer.

Create sails buy cutting triangles out of construction paper. If desired, Fold a small piece of construction paper in half and cut a triangle out on the fold. Glue the fold together on the top of the skewer.

Poke the skewer into the sponge so that it goes through the other side at least 1″. Remove the skewer. Poke a hole at the top of the construction paper triangle, along the long edge, and poke the skewer through the paper. Keep the skewer about 1/2″ to 3/8″ from the edge of the paper. Your sail does not have to be taunt on the skewer, it can bend.

Push the skewer with the sail through the hole in your sponge. Adjust the sail as necessary and sail away.

To sail. Place the boat into the water and let the sponge absorb water before letting go. You’ll need to adjust the skewer up and down through the sponge and adjust the sail for optimal sailing.

Note: They all tipped over at some point. And the sails got wet. But they still worked fine. It works best if the skewer pokes through the bottom of the sponge about 1-2″. Clearly you can experiment with this! The purple boat was the worst. Two masts and it never did officially stand up! It kept toppling over. You may want to omit, unless you have a determined child in the group.

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1 thought on “Sponge Sailboat Craft for Kids”

Great idea! Fun and easy. Using for my Toddler Sunday School class in telling the story of Paul and his ship wreck…so I hope the boat tips or sinks!

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The Craft Train

Crafty ideas for kids and parents

sponge boat craft DIY toy for kids

June 27, 2023 By Kate 5 Comments This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post at no cost to you.

Make an easy sponge boat craft DIY toy for kids! These cute kitchen scourer boats with duct tape sails are perfect for hot Summer days or even just for bath time play. My girls loved playing with these outdoors, even though the day we made them was cold and grey.

This craft was originally published in 2013 and has been updated and republished for todays audience.

You might also like our Summer Fun Bucket List – over 80 crafts and activities for kids to enjoy over Summer!

This sponge boat craft was something we made when my girls were preschoolers. I designed them as a DIY toy for bath time, but the minute they laid eyes on the finished craft bath time seemed way too far away. The sponge boats had to be played with immediately! 

We set up a large tub of water outside in the back yard and they girls had a lot of fun floating their boats on the water. Soon some plastic ponies came out to drive the boats, and the girls had fun experimenting with just how well they could stay afloat with a toy on them (it can be tricky with balance and weight).

The good thing about our sponge boats are the sails are waterproof. When the boats inevitably overturn, simply squeeze the water out and pop the sail back on and set sail once again.

Older kids could make these sponge boats themselves as a STEM craft, and then experiment with floating them on the water by creating wind with straws and having races. We have also made a balloon-powered sponge boat which is great fun for older kids too.

The sails on our sponge boats are made from duct tape. There are so many bright colours and patterns you can get with duct tape that you could really go crazy with them. Using what I had in the cupboard at the time ours are plain red, white and green stripes.

How to make an easy sponge boat craft

You will need:.

• Kitchen scourer sponges (or an ordinary thick sponge would also work)
• Craft sticks
• Duct tape in different colours
• Craft knife and cutting mat – note only an adult should use the craft knife
• Cut the tip of your kitchen scourer into a pointy end using scissors. It might help to rule lines on the sponge with a lead pencil first first so that it’s even.
• Using your craft knife, cut a small horizontal slit in the sponge for the mast (the craft stick) to be placed.
• Make the sail. Lay down a piece of duct tape, then stick a second piece of duct tape along side it also upside down but overlapping. The width should be approximately the same as the width of the sponge. Stick a second layer of tape down over the first, so that the sticky side faces down and the sail is smooth on both sides. Decorate with stripes of a different colour if desired, but this is optional.
• Use your craft knife or scissors to trim the edges of the sail. Make it a roughly square shape.
• Place two small pieces of duct tape around the craft stick mast at the top and close to the bottom where the base of the sail will sit. This helps to keep sail in place.
• Use your craft knife again to cut a small horizontal slit at the top and bottom of the sail.
• Thread the duct tape sail through the slits to make a curved mast.

And now… time to play!

• Craft knife - only an adult should use the craft knife
• Cutting mat

Instructions

• Cut the tip of your kitchen scourer into a pointy end using scissors. It might help to rule lines on the sponge with a lead pencil first first so that it’s even.

More DIY toys for kids

• Make a straw swing set for imaginative play
• This giant dice made from cardboard is so much fun!
• Turn kitchen sponges into sponge cakes for pretend play
• A coat hanger makes an awesome pom pom catapult
• Here are 50 DIY toys you can make from cardboard

July 10, 2021 at 12:57 pm

Hi Kate Would love to make these with my grandies next week when they come over What is the red duct tape stuck too….its a piece of white something (shown in the photo 4) which is used in conjunction with the duct tape to make the sail. Looks like it could be a paper towel although i’m not sure that would be sturdy enough to use but maybe it is Look forward to hearing back from you – Jan

July 14, 2021 at 12:04 pm

Hi Jan, that’s the sticky back of duct tape you see. So it’s duct tape stuck back to back.

July 8, 2023 at 12:01 am

But sponges don’t float–they absorb water and sink, don’t they? I would love to make these for my preschool class, but not if they are just going to sink.

July 8, 2023 at 6:08 am

Even soaked full of water, they still float, just not as high in the water. But they don’t get soaked unless you push them under the surface. Best way to tell if you’re happy with this activity is to put a scourer sponge on the water’s surface and see for yourself how well it floats before you make the boats.

July 9, 2023 at 12:29 pm

You’re right–they do float!

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Sponge Sailboat Craft for Kids Project!

Want to make a craft with your kids this weekend? If so, you must take a look at this Sponge Sailboat Craft for Kids project! Isn’t this such a neat idea? I am planning on making this craft next weekend with my own children. If you’d like to make these sponge sailboats too, be sure to pick up the following supplies:

• Sponges -Used Ocelo brand, and they were 4.5″ x 3″ x 1/2″
• Wood Skewers -used 8″ skewers but 12″ is fine
• construction paper
• wire cutters

For additional directions on making this sailboat craft, be sure to visit the Easy Peasy & Fun Webpage for more details. Let us know what you thought of this project in the comment section below. We love to hear from our readers!

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Seasons Ville

DIY SPONGE SAILABLE BOAT FOR KIDS

• Latrice Curtis
• June 17, 2021
• No Comments

Seasons Ville is here to make sure that you and your little ones don’t miss out on any of the memories that childhood summers are rightly known for! Whether it be splashing in the swimming pool or the everyday routine of playing pirate ninja in the bathtub, it is always a good idea to indulge in a super fun  activity with your kids.  If you’re looking to beat the heat with a crafty twist, we’ve got just the thing for you: DIY sponge boats! Not only are they widely loved by children, they’re also extremely fun and safe to make. So, the next time you inflate the kiddie pool in your backyard, give the kids something to play with that is entirely made right before their eyes! Here’s a quick tutorial to make this job easier for you:

• Kitchen sponges (or an ordinary thick sponge)
• Craft Sticks / Ice Cream Sticks / Wood skewers
• Duct tape in different colors
• Tissue Paper
• Craft knife
• Cutting mat

Note:  All sharp tools like a craft knife and scissors must be used by an adult, or under adult supervision and used with acute caution.

       1.  Mark the edges of the sponge with a ruler and lead pencil to make it even, as shown in the picture.

       2.  Use the scissors to cut the tip of the sponge into a pointy end.

       3.  With the help of a craft knife, make a small horizontal slit in the middle of the shaped sponge. This is where the mast will be placed.

       4.  To make the sail, place a piece of duct tape on a folded tissue paper, followed by another one alongside, overlapping it, but make sure it’s upside down.

       5.  Stick a second layer of duct tape over the first to make sure that both sides of the sail are smooth, and no sticky surface remains exposed.  Optional – use decorative tapes, or different colors alternatively to make the boat more visually appealing for the kids.

       6.  The sail should roughly be a square. The width of the sail should be approximately the same as the width of the sponge you’ve used. If required, use your craft knife / scissors to trim the edges in accordance                appealing for the kids.

            .   

       7. To place the mast with the sail, use the craft knife to make two slits – one at the top, the other at the bottom of the sail you just made. 

       8. Thread the mast, that is made out of an ice cream stick / a wooden skewer / a craft stick, through these slits and ensure that it sits in place using duct tape. The mast should be curved.

       9. Place this mast in the slit made in the sponge, and voila! A very colorful sponge boat is ready to float!

Try out this super easy, DIY sponge boat with your little ones and tag us on social media with #seasonsville with your fun creations of your sponge boats. Follow Seasons Ville for more mom-approved,  kid-safe crafty ideas  to make this summer quarantine fun for the entire house!

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One of a Parent corner

• Aug 6, 2022

Sponge Sailboat Craft for Kids

Temperatures sure are rising so if you are in a search of a fun activity to cool with this sponge sailboat craft is just a thing to do with the kids.

These are not only fun to make, they are also extremely fun to play with. Your kids will be able to play with them in a tub of water or have a sailboat race in the nearby stream.

What you will need Sponges -we used 11.5x9x1.5 ( 4.5″ x 3″ x 1/2″) Wood Skewers -used 20 cm or 30cm are fine as well (8″ skewers but 12″ is fine) construction paper scissors wire cutters glue

Trim your sponges with scissors. Green was trimmed in thirds Pink & Yellow cut in half Purple cut in half lengthwise (see notes)

For the Green sponges, We cut the skewer with the wire cutter to about 5.5″ in length. For all other sponges, we used the full size, 8″ skewer.

Create sails buy cutting triangles out of construction paper. If desired, Fold a small piece of construction paper in half and cut a triangle out on the fold. Glue the fold together on the top of the skewer.

Poke the skewer into the sponge so that it goes through the other side at least 1″. Remove the skewer. Poke a hole at the top of the construction paper triangle, along the long edge, and poke the skewer through the paper. Keep the skewer about 1/2″ to 3/8″ from the edge of the paper. Your sail does not have to be taunt on the skewer, it can bend.

Push the skewer with the sail through the hole in your sponge. Adjust the sail as necessary and sail away.

To sail. Place the boat into the water and let the sponge absorb water before letting go. You’ll need to adjust the skewer up and down through the sponge and adjust the sail for optimal sailing.

(Thank you; easyoeasyandfun.com)

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Tub Time Boat Float Craft + Video

We’re getting crafty in the bathroom with a tub time craft! These floating boats are super easy to make, created with only a few supplies. Kids will have a blast making and taking these boats to the tub!

Tub Time Boat Float Craft

As we get ready to have some bathtub playtime, I’m partnering with Lysol for today’s craft. With my girls getting creative in the bathroom, a super germy area, I really want it to be a clean space for them to play in. So I’m a happy mom knowing Lysol’s Power Bathroom Line kills 99.9% of germs (when used as directed) as I get the tub ready for the boats!

It’s shocking to learn that many of the germs found in toilets don’t stay there, making the whole bathroom a germy nightmare! SO, I’m doing a quick cleaning for stress-free playtime with the Lysol Power Foam bathroom cleaner. Now we’re ready for a tub time boat float.

Watch our How-to video for a Tub Time Boat Float Kids Craft

Tub Time Boat Float Kids Craft

• plastic drinking straws

Instructions:

1. Cut out a shape from the sponge. It can be any shape – heart, star, circle, square, or triangle.

2. Make a small hole in the center of the sponge with scissors. An adult will need to do this for smaller children.

3. Insert your straw into the hole in the sponge.

4. Cut out a 3-4 inch triangle shape from the craft foam. This will be your boat’s sail.

5. With the triangle craft foam, fold it in half and make 2 small cuts into it.

6. Thread the triangle craft foam over the straw to make the sail!

It’s ready to add to the tub! Have fun with your boat float and stress-free playtime, not worrying about any nasty bathroom germs!

Marie is a mom of 3 living in Seattle, WA. She's been the founder and managing editor of Make and Takes for the last 16 years, sharing DIY tutorials for home, family, and fun. Author of Make and Takes for Kids , Early Childhood and Elementary graduate, and currently teaching 2nd grade in Seattle!

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Nickelodeon Parents

It’s all smooth sailing with blue’s sponge boat, blue’s clues & you diy boat craft.

Blue’s Clues fans will love making this kitchen sponge sailboat and captaining  their vessel in a nearby kiddie pool. (A tub will do just fine, too.)

What You’ll Need

• 2 rubber bands
• hot glue gun

How to Make:

Step 1: Wrap two rubber bands around the straw.

Step 2: Cut a triangle out of the foam to make a sail and cut out the  printable of Blue’s face.

Step 3: Glue Blue’s face to the sail and decorate as you like. Glue flag to straw.

Step 4: Make a small hole or slit in the center of the sponge. Assemble the boat by standing straw in the center (make sure it stands straight).

Step 5: Float your boat in the tub, pool, or bucket of water!

Tags: Blue's Clues & You! , All Crafts , Blue's Clues Hub , DIY , Summer Activities , Blue's Clues , craft , DIY , sponge boat

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Sailboat Craft - Easy Kids Activities

By Damjana Jakos • Updated on Aug 13, 2022

See how to make a styrofoam boat that floats. This easy sailboat craft is perfect for kids during the summer. An easy and fun summer craft project your kids will love to do, and might extend into hours of water play fun! Check it out here.

If you are looking for fun kids activities, check out these too:

• Making Bubble Snakes – So Much Fun!
• How to Make Easy Diy Paintbrushes - Quick!
• Diy Paper Bookmarks - Made By Kids!
• Water Walking Experiment For Kids

Check out this easy sailboat craft that kids can do to make diy sailboats out of styrofoam packaging. A great water play idea for the summer your kids will love!

Diy Sailboat Craft

To ensure these boats will float, we used some styrofoam packaging we got a few weeks ago. It's a great water play idea for the summer, and our kids love it. Yours will too! These DIY sailboats don't take a lot of time to make, and you probably have all the supplies at hand already:  

Supplies For Sailboat crafts:

Gathering your supplies will be quick - you only need these:

• a few pieces of styrofoam packaging
• a few pieces of self adhesive vinyl-coated color paper (the vinyl coated type will last longer!)
• toothpicks or thin sticks

How To Make An Easy Sailboat - Tutorial:

1) Cut an equilateral triangle from the self-adhesive vinyl-coated paper in the desired color.

Fine motor skills task for kids: cutting. If kids will be cutting these triangles, you can first draw them on the backside of the paper sheet.

2) Peel off the backing and tape the color paper around the toothpick, leaving the bottom third of the toothpick exposed. Here's your sail.

3) Stick the toothpick into a piece of styrofoam and here's your sailboat for hours of water play!

Totally easy and quick. You can make tons of them, depending on the number of players and the number of styrofoam pieces.

A great way for kids to have races - either in a giant bucket or a water table, it will always mean tons of fun for the summer!

Not only are these styrofoam boats easy to make, they float, too!    

It is not necessary to have a backyard for this kind of water play. At first, we simply used our kitchen sink, and it worked perfectly. one piece of advice, however: if you are about to set up the water play in your kitchen, make sure to have a towel at hand, to easily take care of any spills.

Hours of fun and play for your kids!

Once finished, they went to play with this diy masking tape racetrack we built on the floor a few days ago (again!)

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