Make Your Own Quick & Easy Cork Boats. I love this idea, it’s so simple and made with things that you have lying around the house. I have used it a couple of times both inside and out. Mainly inside when monkey was much younger and would sit at the kitchen table with a bowl of water. And actually keep it in the bowl! I’ve also used it as a great distractor when you want to get some things done outside. Which aren’t quite up to ‘added help’.
Make Your Own Quick & Easy Cork Boats
When he appeared from nap-time he was presented with the below invitation to play. Which included an elastic band ball, scissors, offcuts of foam sheets in various colours, cocktail sticks and of course our cork jar… 
Making the Sails
It was a good excuse to get some scissor practice in by cutting out triangles for the sails from the foam. It also allowed discussion about the size of the sail. Would the larger ones go quicker in the wind than the smaller ones? Previously I have also used paper for sails, but they tend to get a bit soggy and don’t last as long.
Fastening the sails to the corks
An elastic band was used to keep the corks together. W used a cocktail stick to secure the sail to the corks. 
Below are some of the finished boats. Part of the reason I like this is because it’s a short enough activity to keep monkey’s interest and have a completed craft item at the end of it. Although I do agree with the theory it’s all in the process rather than the finished article sometimes on the odd occasion, it is nice to actually finish something. It fits with my perfectionist, control-freak personality unlike many of our other craft projects! 
It was windy on the day we created and played with these so we had races from one side of the water tray to the other.
Ideas to extend play
Monkey wanted to extend the play by getting the paintbrushes out and painting on the tiles and patio doors with the water from the tray. We used normal decorating brushes which I picked up from the £1 shop. The larger of the three was definitely his favourite as it spread the water the most. As we move more towards pre-school activities I think I will invest in a long-handled artist brush to encourage sweeping movements and move more towards letter formation.
21 Responses
Reblogged this on scrummymummymaternity's Blog and commented:
Loving this new blogger such excellent ideas for little ones.. Can’t wait to see the next blog.. Thank you mud pie Friday’s
Oh that looks very easy. We drink a lot of wine, so I’m sure we’d quickly have enough corks to be able to make a few boats.
Oh these are adorable, one for Trash 2 Treasure too, finding bottles with corks is hard now though, they were great for crafts too!
aww these are so cute. i can’t wait for little J to be old enough to do these type of crafts
Oh my this is a fantastic idea. I know my son would love this. He isint two yet but I am sure with my help we could do this together. I think he would really enjoy this. Thank you so much for the idea x
What a fantastic idea. I know my son would really enjoy this. He is not yet two but I am sure with my help he would love making them. Thank you so much for sharing xx
Well this is an interesting way for me to buy some more vino and benefit the kids too. Great idea though, simple and quick with little mess. They are the best craft ideas for toddlers.
Classic. Looks so easy. Only thing is you will Have to drink a lot of wine to have that many. Lol
Aw what a fab idea, I don’t like wine though so we don’t have many corks haha! x
Monkey looks like he is having fun with the cork boats what a fun idea. I wish I did something like this when I was younger!
That’s a brilliant idea. I’ll have to try it with N (if I can find enough corks) because he loves water play.
These cork boats are the best idea! They look so cute & I love that they are easy to make AND that they actually float! My kids would love to make these, thanks for sharing hun x
These are fab! I love how simple it is for him to do and yet he’s created something he can actually play with. Will keep this in mind if I get some corks! 🙂 x
Good excuse too 🙂
Ooo yes I will have a look at your linky, I didn’t think I had any posts that fitted! Xx
Thank you 🙂
Great, let me know how you get on xx
Any excuse 🙂 and they are great for bath time too X
Ha ha no comment …..!! Xx
Aw thank you, let me know how you get on xx
Aw thank you and thanks for stopping by xx