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Clothespin Yacht

  • Motor Practice
  • Science & STEM
  • Spelling
  • Grades 4-5
  • Grades 1-3

Have a boatload of fun with this clothespin craft!

Materials


1 Clothespin (Per Yacht)
2 Craft Foam Sheets (Light Blue & Your Favorite Color)
Acrylic Paint
Paintbrush

Pencil/Pen/Marker

Cotton Swab Stick (Cut Off the Ends)

Glue or *Hot Glue* Adult Supervision Required

Scissors

Instructions


Step  1.

Paint both sides of your clothespin whatever color you’d like!

Step  1.

Paint both sides of your clothespin whatever color you’d like!

Step  2.

Draw waves on your light blue foam sheet, about the same length as your clothespin, then cut it out.

Step  2.

Draw waves on your light blue foam sheet, about the same length as your clothespin, then cut it out.

Step  3.

Glue the foam waves to the bottom of the clothespin. Then, add dots of paint onto the top piece of the clothespin to create porthole windows!  

Step  3.

Glue the foam waves to the bottom of the clothespin. Then, add dots of paint onto the top piece of the clothespin to create porthole windows!  

Step  4.

Flip your clothespin over and glue the cotton swab stick to the middle near the coil.

Step  4.

Flip your clothespin over and glue the cotton swab stick to the middle near the coil.

Step  5.

Cut a triangle out of another piece of foam to make your yacht’s sail!

Step  5.

Cut a triangle out of another piece of foam to make your yacht’s sail!

Step  6.

Add a line of glue to the top of your cotton swab stick, then attach the triangle. Once it’s dry, you’re ready to sail away on an adventure with your clothespin yacht!      

Step  6.

Add a line of glue to the top of your cotton swab stick, then attach the triangle. Once it’s dry, you’re ready to sail away on an adventure with your clothespin yacht!      

Teacher's Corner

Live the yacht life with this clothespin craft while learning a lesson in engineering and spelling! 

Lesson Objectives

  • Sail On: ‘Y’ can be used as a vowel or a consonant — separate your students into groups and have them come up with a list of words that include the letter ‘Y.’ Then, as a class, review the lists to find the words that use ‘Y’ as a vowel or a consonant!
  • Motor Skills: This clothespin craft is designed to help students hone in on their fine motor skills — pinching, gluing, and cutting strengthens muscles in the hands and fingers!

Follow-up Discussion

  • After your class has finished creating their clothespin yachts, challenge them to build other kinds of boats! Learn the science behind buoyancy by following this video and test out your students’ engineering skills!