This is a very simple activity that can be modified easily to a short or long timeframe. I first learned it while a volunteer educator on the Hudson River Cleawater Sloop.
Provide each kid (or team) a small amount of aluminum foil and tape. Allow them to use creativity and critical thinking to design a boat that will not only float but hold the most weight.
Some boats we discussed or that kids created included:
- Canoe
- Speed boat
- Sail boat
- Barge or large surface area boats
After snack, we had a floating competition. I split the kids into several heats/rounds of 4 kids each, since there wouldn't be enough room for all to go at once.
We used paper clips as weights. I recommended something heavier like pennies. Make sure whatever item you have, to have A LOT. The boats will hold more than you think.
The number of paperclips we had ended up a limiting factor for the most resilent boats: the barges!
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