This activity is going to challenge your child. The idea is to design a small boat using stationary and kitchen items with the aim that this boat will be able to float and hold 20 pennies! Your child can be as creative and imaginative as they want to be and together you can plan the best boat design idea and creatively decorate it too.
To start the activity, it is always good to start talking about what you can use to make your boat. You can ask your child questions, such as what they think would float and what would sink?
You could use these items below ready to be used
- Plastic straws
- Duct tape
- Craft paper
- Cling film
- Plastic containers/Tupperware
- Mini paper cups
- 20 pennies set aside in a plastic bag
- Pen
- Paper
This activity is good for investigating, problem-solving, looking to find solutions, working things out, trial and error etc. It’s good to start the activity by planning out the boat together. Your children can draw what they want it to look like using imagination and this also supports their critical thinking.
Once the boat has been designed and made, you can start to balance the pennies on top. This will then introduce math and problem solving into the activity, with counting and balance. Add them slowly and see how many pennies the boat can hold. It’s fun to video this on the phone and makes a great activity to add to your child’s online learning journey
