- Kiddie pool filled with water
- Aluminum foil
- Small rocks
- Duct Tape
- Plastic Bags (for sails)
- Small dowels or wooden skewers
- Items from our recycled treasure tab (milk jugs, coffee containers, corks, straws)
To start, I asked Marley if she wanted to do a Garage Creative this weekend and she said yes! She was so excited leading up to it she kept asking if it was time and if she could help set up! I love the buy in she has with this whole project, even little Isla is on board already.
I invited friends to the garage and asked them to bring some of their recycling along. This was great because it added more treasure for us to use, including recycled kite material!
When it was time, Marley and I filled the pool, set out supplies and discussed how she was going to build her boat. I said it sounded great and offered her the chance to draw her design on the new chalkboard we had recently hung in the garage. She drew a fantastic representation and I asked her what she was going to use. She told me and I suggested she write it down next to her drawing, which she did.
When our friends showed up we briefly discussed sinking and floating and which objects would do what. We tested some items and were surprised to see ice and wine corks floating. When we felt as though we had tested enough different items, it was time to start building.
We started by building boats out of tinfoil with the goal of holding 3 small rocks (we started with an easier task to accomplish so they felt comfortable later on). They were not really sure what the boat should look like so I asked if they had been in or seen boats before. They had and I suggested they try to fashion their tinfoil in the shape of a boat they had seen. Finally it was time to experiment! Once they had built one that could hold three, I asked how many could their boats hold? They were so proud when they held 12 and anxious to try again when it sank!
When they were done with the tin foil boats, we told them it was time to build a boat out of any of the materials they wanted. They started to build and some got a little concerned; they wanted to know if they could take them home. I assured them that yes, of course they could! Many built three different designs using different materials. We saw rafts fashioned from straws and corks, boats from milk jugs, sailboats, and a luxury cruise liner made of a pop/ soda bottle. Below is a small sampling.
During these times of building I have found over and over again it is a tricky line to walk. As a parent and educator you want to jump in and help, which you should but you don't want to do too much. The way I gauge it is to not do so much that you are doing it for them, but just enough so they do not get frustrated, remember, the main goal for this is for everyone to have fun!
When they were done building, we moved the pool back and forth to simulate large waves and this was a nice way to extend the activity. We also used the hose and spray nozzle to simulate a large rainstorm, which they loved! Finally the heat overcame us and it was time to cool off!
All in all, it was a great day! Kids (big and little) had fun working together to create something new. It was a great way to start the Garage Creative and am looking forward to doing activities like this again soon! Thank you very much for those who came, I hope you had as much fun as I did!
Please email thegaragecreative@gmail.com or find us on Facebook to drop us a line!
Creatively yours,
The Garage Creative
*I know some people who may not know me say I use exclamation marks a lot. I do but I also am that enthusiastic and have that much energy so while they are there are a lot, I mean every single one!!
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