How to Make a Clay Boat
People have been building boats since prehistoric times, when the earliest boats were simple hollowed-out canoes made from trees. At home, building clay models of boats can teach children about buoyancy, answering their questions about why boats float. It also makes for a simple craft activity that gives them a handmade toy to play with. From canoes to cruise ships to sailboats, there is no limit to the types of boat that can be sculpted from clay.
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Things You'll Need
- Waxed paper
- 2 oz. of nonhardening model clay
- Rolling pin
- Ruler
- Butter knife
Instructions
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1
Cover a workspace on a table with waxed paper. Use a rolling pin to flatten the clay evenly into a rectangular shape 1/4 inch thick.
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2
Trim the edges of the shape with a butter knife. Use a ruler to create straight lines and sharp corners.
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3
Fold the shape in half lengthwise.
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4
Press the corners on each end of the folded rectangle together. Make sure to gently squeeze the seams along the edges of the boat so that they are completely sealed. This will form a basic canoe shape for your boat.
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5
Use your fingertips to widen the inside hull of the boat. There should be a complete seam running front to back on the boat; this will prevent the hull from leaking.
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6
Place your boat in the water. If it tips over, tinker with the design. The goal is to have an equal amount of space on each side of the boat. Use your fingers to widen the hull as necessary to achieve this balance.
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References
- Photo Credit Digital Vision/Digital Vision/Getty Images
