Sink or Float Pirate Ships
Shared by an educator
Build simple boats from loose and recycled materials, then test what floats, sinks and carries treasure.
- Age range
- 3 to 6 years
- Setting
- Indoor or outdoor
- Approximate time
- 40 min
- Age range
- 3 to 6 years
- Group size
- Small group, 2 to 6 children
- Preparation time
- 10 min
- Activity time
- 30 min
- Indoor or outdoor
- Indoor or outdoor
What you'll need
- Accessible everyday materials relevant to the experience
- Paper and drawing tools where useful
- Optional loose parts or recording tools
Preparation
- Choose a safe and accessible space.
- Gather the materials before inviting children.
- Adapt the invitation to the children’s current interests and abilities.
What to do
- Build a small boat from loose materials.
- Predict whether it will float.
- Test it and add treasure gradually.
- Redesign and try again.
Educator prompts
What do you notice? What do you think might happen? What could we try differently? What would you like to explore next?
Safety considerations
Supervise water at all times and avoid small loose parts with children who may mouth objects.
Inclusion and accessibility
Offer multiple ways to participate including observing, pointing, drawing, moving, using AAC, taking a practical role or working alongside a trusted person.
Adaptations
Simplify choices and provide more educator support for younger children. Add planning, recording, measuring, prediction or research for older children.
Extension ideas
Revisit the experience with a new variable, material or question generated by the children.
Reflection prompts
What captured the children’s attention? What theories, questions or conversations emerged? Who participated in unexpected ways? What could we change, revisit or extend next?
Professional connections
This experience may support connections with:
EYLF V2.0 · Learning Outcome
4 — Children are confident and involved learners
This experience supports children are confident and involved learners through child-led exploration, communication, collaboration and intentional educator support.
EYLF V2.0 · Learning Outcome
5 — Children are effective communicators
This experience supports children are effective communicators through child-led exploration, communication, collaboration and intentional educator support.
EYLF V2.0 · Practice
PR2 — Responsiveness to children
This experience supports responsiveness to children through child-led exploration, communication, collaboration and intentional educator support.
EYLF V2.0 · Practice
PR3 — Play-based learning and intentionality
This experience supports play-based learning and intentionality through child-led exploration, communication, collaboration and intentional educator support.
EYLF V2.0 · Practice
PR4 — Learning environments
This experience supports learning environments through child-led exploration, communication, collaboration and intentional educator support.
National Quality Standard · Quality Area
QA1 — Educational program and practice
This experience connects with Educational program and practice through responsive, play-based planning and an inclusive learning environment.
National Quality Standard · Quality Area
QA3 — Physical environment
This experience connects with Physical environment through responsive, play-based planning and an inclusive learning environment.
National Quality Standard · Quality Area
QA5 — Relationships with children
This experience connects with Relationships with children through responsive, play-based planning and an inclusive learning environment.
Credit & Contribution
Contributed by: Shared by an educator
Professional connections reviewed by The Educators Well.