Plastic Straw Sailboats
It’s hard to believe, but my kids are already counting down until summer vacation. I swear it seems like they just started this school year yesterday. They’re excited, of course, and I’m a little weary. OK, I’m maybe a lot weary. Not only because I’m a creature of habit and summer break gets us off our schedule, but there’s so much time to fill. Luckily, I know of a great summer camp program that encourages our innovation!
Galileo has been shaping a new generation of innovators by teaching kids to explore, make mistakes and create without fear since 2002! Drawing from the innovation process inspired by the Stanford Galileo’s curriculum packs serious substance and sparks kids’ imagination from pre-k through 8th grade.
For kids pre-K through 5th grade, there’s Camp Galileo where campers take on art, science, and outdoor activities tailored to their level. They learn lasting innovation skills like collaboration and reflection and take home tangible creations like a rocket, photos inspired by Ansel Adams, or even an archery bow!
For kids entering 5th grade through 8th grade there’s Galileo Summer Quest. Campers can choose from 13 immersive majors, each confidence-building, collaboration-packed session gives them an opportunity to realize their personal vision in a new inspiring subject. Campers make short films, engineer catapults, whip up inventive dishes, design custom video games, and much much more.
Already taking inspiration from Galileo’s camp themes, we’ve previously made Cardboard Roll Rocket Ships. This time, we’re taking advantage of the warmer weather. We love to be in the water during the summer. As such, we find any excuse we can to get wet, and so it only makes sense that we’re going to experiment and play with any water we can. Using simple straws, these Plastic Straw Sailboats are a fun and easy 5 minute craft and simple STEM experiment that you can put together with only 3 supplies.
For the older kids, have them build their own boats, then see how many pennies it would take to sink them. You could even construct some LEGOs together for a Pirate crew. Be sure to decorate the boat’s sail, too! You could also use fabric or felt for this, if you know your sail will get wet.
Simple projects like these Easy-to-Make Plastic Straw Sailboats are great, because it’s really all about imagination. And, in the case of our Straw Sailboats, it’s another excuse to splash around in the water, whether outside in a pool, in a bowl, or in the tub!
Plastic Straw Sailboats
Supplies needed:
- 5 milkshake straws
- cardstock
- hot glue
- scissors
First, cut your large milkshake straws in half, so 4 full-sized straws will make 2 boats. Snip a hole in one straw, large enough for another straw to stick in. Hot glue the 4 straws together.
Make 2 snips on either side of the top of the straw that will hold the boat’s mast. Cut a triangle of cardstock and slide that into the snips and hot glue in place in the hole of the bottom straw.
Now gather up some water and watch your boats float! Or sink. That can be fun, too.
Sign up for Galileo Camps now and save!
Lock into major Galileo savings this summer and sign up now using code BEBOLD for $40 off a week of Galileo Camp! And, Refer-a-Friend for more even more savings, up to an additional $100!