Egg Carton Boats for kids to make!

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We love easy  Summer Crafts for Preschoolersfollow! Here is a egg carton craft idea that I made almost 2 years ago with my kids… It still makes me smile!  I love the idea of bring books and crafts together.And some days, when I really don’t know what to make, picking up one of Red Ted’s books really does inspire! And this is how we came to make our Egg Carton Boats.

egg carton boat

followIf you saw the Back To School post.. don’t you think Red Ted has GROWN so much?!So. Today, I brought out one of Red Ted’s older books:  Tell me about TheSea, by Justine Smithfollow. We have two books in the series and alsohave Tellme about Baby Animalsfollow. When he was a little younger hepreferred Baby Animals. Now I think he prefers The Sea. But they are bothlovely books – nice simple images with things to “do” on every page (count,find, look), some nice shiny surfaces to touch, as well as some flaps to lifttowards the end. Lovely for them. Lovely or you and a little education on theside!

This time we decided to make a boat! 

Materials needed for an egg carton boat

Although I knew I wanted to make a boat at some point andthus bought a 12 egg egg carton, I did wing this a bit. So my photo doesn’tshow all the materials needed. But to be honest, just be crafty and do whatworks for you! My basic materials:

  • egg carton (12 egg & 6 egg),
  • chopsticks(for mast),
  • paper & paint (for sails),
  • ribbon/ string (to secure mast &bunting),
  • glue,
  • scissors,
  • blue tack,
  • staples…

How to make an egg carton boat

2)    We began with the sails. To be honest you can do WHATEVER you likefor these. We decided to paint, as Red Ted likes painting. Also, I we use the“water technique” of wetting the paper and letting the colours run a little, asI thought it fitting with “The Sea”. However, you can re-use an old drawing,draw a new one. Paint patterns or even use a scrap of fabric! Whatever takesyour fancy.

3)    Once the sails where done, I made the basic boat, whilst Red Ted ate a pare, looked at the book again and got excited! The 12 egg egg carton is idealfor a boat, as it has a raised bit right in the middle of it – perfect for a mast.Whilst he 6 egg egg carton, has a dip in the middle and the mast is a littlewobblier. I just poked it through, put bluetack underneath and added someprecautionary glue.

4)    The ribbon/ string helps secure the mast – I tied round the top,threaded it through little holes on the side and tied them again underneath.Seems to do the trick! Also added some blobs of glue just in case!

5)    Once dry, I cut out some sails and flags. Glued on the sails and stapledon the flags. Using clothe pegs to help keep things in place.

6)    FINISHED! And ready for play!What do you think? Simple and too cute and perfect for all those left over egg cartons don’t you think?!

More great  Summer Crafts for Preschoolers here!!Did you like this? Share it: