How to Construct a Boat out of Popsicle Sticks

There is nothing more fun than learning how to construct a toy boat craft. This is a perfect craft for child and adult alike. Many crafts are too difficult for small children to construct themselves, but this Popsicle boat craft is not only easy to create but is a fun way to spend the afternoon with the kids. These boats are great to play with on shore.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Acrylic craft paint
• Construction paper
• 7 large crafts sticks (¾ inch by 6 inches)
• Glue gun
• Glue sticks
• T-square
• Scissors

Making a Popsicle Boat

1. Paint craft sticks. This can be any color you want the boat to be, but remember to let the child be creative with his paint colors.

2. Lay three crafts sticks on a table. This will be the deck of the boat. Now draw diagonal lines with a pencil and ruler, starting at the bow. Cut the two outside pieces. This will make them form a pointed shape.

3. Cut two cross pieces of the Popsicle sticks. Each cut Popsicle stick should measure 2-1/4 inches long. This is equal to the width of three Popsicle sticks.

4. Glue these pieces across the deck. This will make a panel, and will hold the deck of the boat together. The cross pieces on the back of the boat will also hide the uncut parts of the Popsicle sticks.

5. Take another Popsicle stick and cut off one end. Make sure to keep the cut as even as possible. This will be the mast of the boat, and is needed to stand it straight up.

6. Place hot glue onto the center of the boat. Use the t-square to make sure the mast is at the current angle to the deck of the boat. Now hold the mast straight, letting the glue set for approximately a minute.

7. Create a strong mast by cutting two 1-inch pieces of Popsicle sticks and then glue them to the mast. They will act as support and brace the mast.

8. Make the boom by measuring the front of the mast to the back of the boat. The boom is the part that swings out from the boat. The boom will be the horizontal piece that holds the bottom of the boat's sail. Now use Popsicle sticks to cut the boom for the boat. To do this use the same length of the boat, with both ends square against each other. Glue the boom to the mast.

9. Take a pencil and trace shape of mast and boon on the construction paper. Cut this out and glue to the mast and boom. Let child be creative in colors of the construction paper. Let child use a marker to put a name on the boat. This can be her own name or a creative name.

Tips & Warnings

• Let the Popsicle boat dry completely before letting child play with boat. This Popsicle boat is only meant to be a dry land play toy.