A simple junk model craft idea to make a cardboard box boat, along with some pirate themed play ideas.
How to make a cardboard box boat
My daughter loves all things ocean at the moment, and with a trip to the seaside coming up in a few weeks she’s thinking about how she might like to be a sailor. So when a big cardboard box arrived in the house she knew just what she wanted to do – make a boat!
She started her boat by making portholes, and fixed a deck inside the box, using a piece of the box held in place with sticky tape.
She used acrylic paint – for good coverage and durability – in shades of ocean blue.
She painted inside and out, using a wide paintbrush to make stripes on the outside.
She added a tissue paper sail and a ship’s wheel cut from the base of a pizza board.
And her junk model cardboard box boat is ready to sail.
Do More Art!
Let me make it easy for you to do more art with your children.
Pop your email address in the box below and you'll get:
:: free art lessons sent to your inbox
:: lessons on famous artists with linked art projects
:: lessons on new art techniques to broaden your art skills
:: ideas for art adventures to have fun and enjoy the process of creating
:: resources for seasonal and holiday arts and crafts
:: access to my free printables library
Our lessons are perfect for children of all ages, and for school, home, and community groups.
Don't miss out!
Sign up below and let's get started.
* Your data is safe with us. Learn how we hold, use and protect it.
Mud Hut Mama says
12/07/2012 at 7:25 amThis is so cool! We often use boxes as boats and cooking spoons as oars but have never spent much time creating the boat. I’m sure the maps and treasure chest really add to the fun. I love these ideas!
Danielle says
12/07/2012 at 2:14 pmAdorable! I love the power of imagination! Have you ever seen the children’s book called Not a Box? Your post reminded me of it.
Pinkoddy says
12/07/2012 at 3:21 pmWhat a brilliant idea and I will have plenty of boxes once we move and unpack. I have pirate posts on my blog too so maybe ours will be a pirate ship. Thanks for sharing.
Only Best For Baby says
13/07/2012 at 6:25 amGreat idea and very creative. We’ll be making a boat very soon!
Davina Lilley says
13/07/2012 at 7:06 pmLove your blog! SO excited to have found it….and will be picking up your new book. It looks wonderful!!!!
Suzanne says
14/07/2012 at 5:40 pmI love seeing kids get into a project! I bet she had a great time and learned a lot through this activity.
Louise says
14/07/2012 at 7:08 pmExcellent. Made a puppet theatre today and had to get the boys out of the box as they were using it as a boat. Next stop at costco – 2 boxes for boats!
Jennifer (aka Hint Mama) says
09/09/2014 at 8:03 pmLove this:) I’m always looking for relatively easy projects that can be done with materials most of us have around the house (like cardboard boxes).