Preschool Boat Craft Using Popsicle Sticks

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Preschool aged kids are my favorite kids to work with. They are so curious, get excited about little things, and still have a joy of learning.

What I love about this preschool boat craft is you can use it to go along with stories like Maisy's Sailboat or teach kids the letters of the alphabet using this b is for boat craft. There are so many directions you could take it.

Not only is this a great educational tool that incorporates learning and engineering, but kids love watching their little sail boats float on top of the water. It's an accomplishment they can hold with them all their life.

And, it is super easy to make! Check it out, below!

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💖 Why You'll Love This Craft
Summer Crafts for Preschoolers
🎨 Supplies Needed
🖌️ How To Make A Boat Craft for Kids
🧑‍🎨 Expert Tips
💭 FAQs
🖌️ Related Crafts
Preschool Boat Craft Using Popsicle Sticks

💖 Why You'll Love This Craft

Sails of Imagination: Kids can design their own colorful boats and set sail on pretend adventures right from the craft table.
Builds Basic Skills: Gluing, arranging, and decorating helps preschoolers work on motor skills and spatial awareness.
Float Test Ready: Try testing them in a bin of water—just for fun or to spark a mini science lesson!

Summer Crafts for Preschoolers

We all know preschoolers can't stay busy for long. If they don't have something to do, they are dumping the trash into the toilet, putting toothpaste in their hair, or just plain driving you insane.

If you like this boat craft for preschoolers, check out some of our other summer crafts to keep your preschooler busy:

🎨 Supplies Needed

Rainbow Boat Craft
Supplies
Rainbow craft sticks
Plain craft sticks
Hot glue gun
Scrap book paper
Paper straws

🖌️ How To Make A Boat Craft for Kids

Step 1: Lay a row of colored craft sticks side by side to make a rainbow.

Step 2: Cut two plain craft sticks in half and glue three of the halves to the back of the rainbow boat base.

Step 3: Add another two craft sticks to the back of the boat going lengthwise.

Step 4: Cut a triangle out of scrapbook paper and punch a hole in the top and bottom.

Step 5: Cut a paper straw in half and slide the paper triangle onto the straw.

Step 6: Place a mound of hot glue on the top of the boat and stick the straw into the center of the mound. Hold the straw in place until the glue dries. Your boat craft is now ready to enjoy!

Tip: Use cold water when playing with the boats. Hot water will melt the glue, causing the boat to fall apart.

diy sailboat craft using popsicle sticks

💡 Pro Tip: Place a ruler or flat edge under the first row as a boundary guide—it helps young hands stay steady when building straight, balanced structures.

🧑‍🎨 Expert Tips

Stick Alignment: Teach kids to lay craft sticks edge-to-edge in a straight row before gluing—this builds early control over forming aligned horizontal structures.
Edge Matching: Encourage matching both ends of each stick to the next one’s tip, reinforcing attention to linear alignment and reducing uneven edges.
Vertical Placement: Guide children to position the sail or mast straight up using a visible vertical line or mark as a simple orientation cue.
Line Practice: Before gluing, let kids trace a pencil line where the base sticks should go to help maintain straight rows during assembly.
Overlap Precision: When stacking or reinforcing, make sure children check that overlapping parts stay flush—this prevents unwanted slanting or bulging.
Side Consistency: Remind kids to keep both sides of the boat visually even by stepping back and comparing left and right angles side by side.

💭 FAQs

How does this craft teach buoyancy?

By constructing boats that float, children explore the concept of buoyancy, understanding how shape and material affect an object's ability to stay afloat.

Can this activity introduce engineering basics?

Yes, assembling the boat structure effectively teaches kids fundamental engineering principles, such as balance and stability in design.

How does this project encourage experimentation?

Testing different designs to see which floats best encourages experimentation, teaching kids to hypothesize and learn from trial and error.

What skills are developed through construction?

Children enhance problem-solving abilities by figuring out how to assemble parts effectively, fostering critical thinking and creativity.

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