Build a Boat Tinker Tray

If you’re looking for a simple but creative activity that’s great for these hot summer days, try out a Build a Boat Tinker Tray! We paired this activity with the book A Hole in the Boat. This book is about how everyone’s actions affect others and how we must all take responsibility for each other. It’s a funny, quick read with a powerful message. And is a wonderful foundation for inspiring kids to create their own boats, hopefully without holes!

This tinker tray can be made with whatever supplies you have readily available around your house. The challenge is to create a boat that can float!

What You’ll Need

Selection of boat building supplies, whatever you have around the house. Examples could be popsicle sticks, foil, tape, styrofoam, corks, cardboard.
Sensory bin
Water
A Hole in the Boat book

Putting It Together

Set out whatever boat building materials you want to use.
Invite your children to use whichever materials they want to create their boats.
Once their boats are finished, put water in a sensory bin (or kiddie pool!) and see if the boats float!
Read the A Hole in the Boat book before, during or after boat creation!

Finished & Loving It!

I set out this activity for the younger boys while my daughter was at camp. They were super into it. They had plans to create a mast, just like in the A Hole in the Boat book. I loved how they had a plan and had to figure out how to make it work.

So much excitement occurred when we tested out the boats in the backyard water table and they floated! Woo hoo!!

The boys were so into this activity they went back and created more boats, then added some friends to the water play. Such a wonderful activity for a hot summer day!