Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Science · The activity desk
Sponge boat harbor
Float a sponge boat and see how a gentle push moves it.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
A large clean sponge, a shallow unbreakable dish, a little water, paper, a large child-appropriate crayon, and tape.
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 puts a little water in the dish on a stable, washable surface. Fold the paper into a broad upright sail and tape it to the sponge.
Adult's role: Stay within arm's reach, handle the water, and help place and retrieve the boat.
Let's make it happen
- Draw a pattern on the paper sail before the adult attaches it.
- Place the sponge boat on the water and notice whether it floats.
- Give it a gentle push and watch it move. Talk about what happens when the sponge gets wet.
Make it simpler: Watch the adult place the sponge on the water and point to it.
Clean up: An adult empties the dish immediately, dries spills, and removes the paper and tape from the sponge.
Adult supervises water within arm's reach throughout. Do not drink the water; remove loose paper or tape and never leave water unattended.