Rosalie Atkins
Boat races are a fun activity for kids, and they can even be educational. With a few basic supplies, kids can make a wide variety of boats and race them in a plastic tub, kiddie pool, or puddle. This can be a great way to introduce children to the principles of engineering and design thinking. They can experiment with different boat designs and materials to see which ones perform the best. Boat races can also be a fun group activity, fostering teamwork and creativity as children work together to build the fastest boat. Whether it's a simple DIY project at home or a more organized event like a school carnival, boat races are sure to bring excitement and friendly competition among kids.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Boat-making supplies | Duct tape, paper, drinking straws, dowels, pool noodles, cardstock, craft sticks, sponges, aluminium foil, silicone cupcake moulds, coloured water, cardstock, craft sheets, markers, stickers, scissors, glue, garden hose, water, muffin/cupcake moulds, timer, cardstock, drinking straws, food colouring, aluminium foil, trenches, water hose |
| Boat race setup | Kiddie pool, plastic tub, puddle, tub of water, rain gutter, table, pitcher/empty milk jug, blue tablecloth, balloon sticks, stopwatches, whiteboard, markers |
| Boat race rules | Players blow on boat sails to race them down a gutter or in a tub of water |
What You'll Learn
Rain Gutter Boat Races
Supplies:
- 2 (or more) floating sailboats
- Plastic straws, enough for each participant
- 2 plastic 10-foot gutters and 4 plastic end-caps
- Waterproof glue
- 8-foot table for support, or two 4-foot tables put together
- Plastic pitcher or empty milk jug to fill the gutters with 3 gallons of water each
- Blue food coloring (optional)
- Blue tablecloth or material (optional)
- Balloons on balloon sticks and packing tape (optional)
- 2 stopwatches or smartphones with a stopwatch app
- Whiteboard and dry-erase markers for a leaderboard (optional)
- Carnival prizes, such as water-themed or pirate-themed items
Set-up:
Days before the event, seal the ends of each rain gutter with the end-caps and waterproof glue, allowing ample time for drying. Find a flat surface to set up the table(s) and place the gutters a few inches from the edge, as shown in the photo.
Decorations:
Use blue food coloring to add a slight tint to the water if desired. Decorate with flag pennant banners and two balloons at the finish line, taped to the end of each gutter on a balloon stick.
Gameplay:
To play the Rain Gutter Boat Race, you need two participants each time to make it exciting. The players are given a straw and stand at one end of the gutter with their sailboats ready. On the cue of "On your mark, get set, go!", players blow on the sail of their boat to move it down the gutter as fast as they can. The goal is to be the first to reach the other end, becoming the winner of the race.
Prizes:
The winner receives a medium-priced prize, while the loser gets a consolation prize. Since there will always be a winner, the medium prize is usually something around $25-$35. Most of the fun comes from playing, so you can save bigger prizes for other games!
Optional "Winners Board":
Participants can also "race the clock" by timing each player's race and keeping a written record of their names and times. Update a "Leaders Board" every 30 minutes to show the fastest 10 players. During the last 30 minutes of the carnival, award the top 5 or 10 players with a top prize or ribbons, and give all players a small consolation prize for participating.
Additional Tips:
Note that you need a very flat space for this game! Test it out first, as the ground must be level for the boats to float smoothly. You can prop up one end of the table with flat rocks or cardboard to make it level.
Now you have everything you need to know about Rain Gutter Boat Races! This activity is sure to bring excitement and friendly competition to any event with kids.
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Duck Tape Boat Races
Materials:
- Duck Tape in a variety of colours and patterns
- Letter-sized copy paper
- Bucket of water or inflatable pool
- Scissors
- Straws
Instructions:
- Cover both sides of a letter-sized piece of copy paper with strips of Duck Tape. Be sure to trim the edges to even them out.
- Once your piece of paper is fully covered in tape, fold it in half lengthwise. Then unfold and fold in half vertically. This will leave creases horizontally and vertically on your paper.
- Return the paper to the first fold and fold down the top corners, similar to a paper airplane.
- Fold the bottom of the paper up against both sides, forming a triangle. Be sure to leave about an inch at the bottom.
- Now form a hat shape by folding down a flap on each side of your sheet.
- Open the hat and allow the two corners to meet to form a diamond shape.
- Fold the two corners up to form a triangle.
- Open the triangle to form a "pistachio" shape.
- Pull on the two upper tips of the triangle to form the boat.
- Add some strips of Duck Tape to the ends to ensure the boat doesn't take on water.
- Set sail on a body of water and use a straw to blow your boat to the finish line!
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Ice Boat Races
Preparation:
To prepare for the ice boat races, you will need the following materials:
- Silicone muffin/cupcake molds
- Timer or stopwatch (you can also use your phone)
- Coloured water (optional)
- Food colouring (optional)
- Aluminium foil
- Drinking straws
- Cardstock or thick paper
- Sticks (lollipop sticks, long toothpicks, or straws)
- A tub or pool filled with water
- A pool noodle (optional)
Steps:
The day before the race, pour water into your cupcake molds, adding food colouring if desired. Cover each mold with aluminium foil and poke a small hole in the centre. Place half of a drinking straw in the centre of each cup, then put the molds in the freezer.
On the day of the race, cut triangles out of cardstock or thick paper to create sails. Decorate the sails with markers or stickers if desired, then glue or tape them to the drinking straws.
Racing:
For racing, you can create trenches from aluminium foil by folding long sheets in thirds and then folding the ends over to create stand-up sides. Set up the trenches by placing one side on an elevated surface. Place the frozen ice boats on the top of the slides.
When you say "Go," use a water hose to push the ice boats down the trench. Time how long it takes for each boat to reach the bottom. Repeat for each boat, then find the average times to determine the winner.
Alternatively, you can cut a pool noodle in half lengthwise to create two long racing lanes. Set up the pool noodles as ramps using a chair and a tub of water. Place the ice boats on the noodles and let them slide down.
Tips:
- To remove the ice boats from the cups, quickly run the cups under water, and the ice will pop out.
- If using pool noodles, secure them in place with painter's tape or masking tape if they are knocked around by the children.
- This activity is a great opportunity to discuss the states of matter (solids and liquids) and how ice melts into water.
- On a hot day, it's fascinating to observe how quickly the ice boats melt!
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Planning and Design
The first step in planning a DIY boat race for kids is to decide on the materials and supplies needed for building the boats. This can include items such as cardboard, plastic bottles, duct tape, straws, craft sticks, and sails made from paper or fabric. It is important to ensure that the materials are safe, easily accessible, and suitable for the age group of the children participating.
Once the materials are gathered, it's time to start designing the boats. This is where creativity and problem-solving skills come into play. Encourage the children to brainstorm different boat designs, considering factors such as buoyancy, stability, and propulsion. They can sketch out their ideas on paper before selecting the best design to build.
During the planning phase, it is essential to set clear guidelines and rules for the boat race. This includes determining the size and type of boats that can be entered, as well as any restrictions on materials or construction methods. For example, you may want to specify the size of the pool or tub in which the race will take place, setting a maximum boat length or width.
In addition to boat design, children can also be involved in designing the race course and setting up the race environment. This could include creating starting and finishing lines, obstacles, or decorations to make the event more exciting and engaging.
Before the race, it is crucial to test the boats to ensure they float and function as intended. This provides an opportunity for children to make adjustments and improvements to their designs, fostering a sense of experimentation and learning from trial and error.
By involving the children in the planning and design process, they will not only develop their creative and critical thinking skills but also gain a sense of ownership and investment in the boat race activity.
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Boat-building materials
Paper
Paper is a versatile material that can be used to create different types of boats, from traditional paper boats to more elaborate designs. Wax paper can be used to create a waterproof barrier, and duct tape can be used to reinforce the structure.
Cardboard
Cardboard, such as milk or juice cartons, can be used as a base for building boats. It provides a sturdy structure and can be easily decorated and customised.
Plastic
Plastic materials such as straws, cups, and containers can be used for building boats. Plastic wrap can also be utilised to create waterproof seals.
Natural Materials
Natural materials such as sticks, sponges, corks, and walnut shells can be used to create boats with a more organic look and feel. These materials can be found outdoors or in craft stores.
Tape and Adhesives
Duct tape, washi tape, and glue are essential for holding the boat together and creating a waterproof seal. They can also be used for decoration.
Foil and Metal
Aluminum foil and other thin metal sheets can be used to create a lightweight boat structure. This material is easy to shape and can be folded to create a boat hull.
Other Creative Options
Other creative options include using pool noodles, craft sticks, string, Styrofoam, and even balloons to construct boats.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a large bin or tub of water, straws, and items to make the boats such as paper, tape, glue, scissors, cardboard, craft sticks, and foil.
First, cover a piece of paper with tape on both sides. Then, follow the steps for folding a paper boat, but with the taped paper. Finally, add some tape to the ends to ensure the boat doesn't take on water.
You can add an element of competition by timing the boats and awarding prizes to the fastest boats. You can also incorporate STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) by challenging kids to design a boat that will float and hold weight.
Instead of using paper boats, you can make boats using other materials such as milk cartons, pool noodles, or sponges. You can also create ice boats by freezing water in silicone muffin molds and using foil trenches to race the boats.
You can use a large bin or tub of water, or you can set up a longer course using plastic gutters on a table. Make sure the surface is flat and level to ensure the boats have enough water to float.
