Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Science · The activity desk
Foil boat and cargo
Shape a foil boat and see what happens when it carries one large toy block.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
A large sheet of aluminum foil, a large lightweight washable toy block, a shallow open basin, a little water, and a towel
Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.
Stay with the child throughout. Check the space and supplies, including anything within reach of younger siblings. Skip any activity that is unsuitable. Stop if a child puts non-food material in their mouth or becomes distressed. Use intact books, full sheets of paper, a large child-appropriate crayon and a clean, dry towel. Follow product labels; remove torn paper and keep broken crayons and caps away from children. Adult handles and stores supplies.
Set up: An adult clears a stable floor space, puts the basin on the towel, and adds a little water. Check that the block has no small detachable parts.
Adult's role: Stay within arm's reach of the water throughout, fold any sharp foil edges inward, and immediately empty the basin after play.
Let's make it happen
- With an adult, fold up the edges of the foil to form a shallow boat.
- Set the empty boat on the water and observe what happens.
- Place the large block gently inside. Notice whether the boat still floats and try changing the block's position.
Make it simpler: Watch an adult float the empty boat and point to it as it moves.
Clean up: The adult empties and dries the basin immediately. Dry the block and collect and discard the foil.
Children can drown in very shallow water. An adult stays within arm's reach and empties the basin immediately. Keep foil and water out of mouths.