Egg Carton Boats

Here is a craft that I made almost 2 years ago with my kids… It still makes me smile!

Over at Red Ted Art, my son (Red Ted (2)) and I (Maggy (old)) do lots ofcrafts projects. Sometimes Pip Squeak (0) joins us. Usually we are inspiredby books that we read – the tagline from another crafty mum being– story + art = great stART. I love the idea of bring books and crafts together.And some days, when I really don’t know what to make, picking up one ofRed Ted’s books really does inspire!

So. Today, I brought out one of Red Ted’s older books:  Tell me about TheSea, by Justine Smith. We have two books in the series and alsohave Tellme about Baby Animals. When he was a little younger hepreferred Baby Animals. Now I think he prefers The Sea. But they are bothlovely books – nice simple images with things to “do” on every page (count,find, look), some nice shiny surfaces to touch, as well as some flaps to lifttowards the end. Lovely for them. Lovely or you and a little education on theside!

This time we decided to make a boat!

1)    Materials: although I knew I wanted to make a boat at some point andthus bought a 12 egg egg carton, I did wing this a bit. So my photo doesn’tshow all the materials needed. But to be honest, just be crafty and do whatworks for you! My basic materials: egg carton (12 egg & 6 egg), chopsticks(for mast), paper & paint (for sails), ribbon/ string (to secure mast &bunting), glue, scissors, blue tack, staples…

2)    We began with the sails. To be honest you can do WHATEVER you likefor these. We decided to paint, as Red Ted likes painting. Also, I we use the“water technique” of wetting the paper and letting the colours run a little, asI thought it fitting with “The Sea”. However, you can re-use an old drawing,draw a new one. Paint patterns or even use a scrap of fabric! Whatever takesyour fancy.

3)    Once the sails where done, I made the basic boat, whilst Red Ted ate apair, looked at the book again and got excited! The 12 egg egg carton is idealfor a boat, as it has a raised bit right in the middle of it – perfect for a mast.Whilst he 6 egg egg carton, has a dip in the middle and the mast is a littlewobblier. I just poked it through, put bluetack underneath and added someprecautionary glue.

4)    The ribbon/ string helps secure the mast – I tied round the top,threaded it through little holes on the side and tied them again underneath.Seems to do the trick! Also added some blobs of glue just in case!

5)    Once dry, I cut out some sails and flags. Glued on the sails and stapledon the flags. Using clothe pegs to help keep things in place.

6)    FINISHED! And ready for play!

If you enjoyed this post, I would love for you to visit Red Ted Art and see what we get upto on a regular basis – there are monthly, themed Get Crafty round ups and regular Wednesday Kids Crafts on Wednesday!! We look forward to meeting you!

Maggy & Red Ted (& sometimes Pip Squeak)