With the Kids

Floating Sponge Boats

Once the sun shines down long enough to warm our faces, my kids want to play in the water. So here we are floating our sponge boats in the backyard water table.

Supplies for Sponge Boats:

  • scrub sponges – I got these at the dollar store or you can use the cell-o brand as well
  • straws – any shape or kind
  • craft foam sheets
  • scissors

1. Cut a small hole towards the top of your sponge. It doesn’t need to be a circle, just a slit.

2. Cut a triangle shape for a mast out of your craft foam sheet. I cut two slits into the foam so that the straw can be hooked, one at the top and one at the bottom.

3. Place the foam triangle onto the straw. Now you can push the straw into the sponge’s hole.

We keep these toys near the bath and the kids have been sailing their boats all over the harbor. Make sure you squeeze all the water out of the sponge once you are done playing, as you don’t want any bacteria build up.

17 comments

  1. Ours just sunk right away because a sponge soaks up water and becomes heavy enough to sink. How does it float?

    1. So sorry to hear! My kids are always squeezing out the water of the sponge as they play. And now I’m realizing that maybe not all sponges are the same. Ours are able to float for a bit before they soak up water. But yes, they too end up sinking. So my kids keep squeezing and playing. Maybe it could even just be a fun craft, and then a toy boat that is played with in the tub, not necessarily floating.

      Sorry for your trouble. Hope it can still be a fun toy.

  2. I’m going to use the idea for craft night for 8 kids this summer. Thanks for the project for little hands.

  3. We have been loving our boats. One thing to watch for, the kids have been blowing and drinking the water with the Straw! I am thinking of taking away the straw and using some other crafty item for the pole.

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