Cork Boats

Enjoying the outdoors with a 'toy' is always a great way to engage a child, even those children who might not find nature a favorite past time or find 'toys' to young. Often times while playing around they begin to notice the world around them, find critters, see the trees and water ways... slowly they are engaging without even being aware of it. And, when nature is involved for older students they find creating something like a cork boat or twig raft -- seems to feel more natural and enjoyable, inviting the love of play. I find adults cannot resist this activity!

A favorite project of ours is to make cork boats to play with in a little stream or even the edge of a pond or small lake. They are quite simple to assemble outdoors, require little materials, can include natural elements and hold up well.

List of supplies for each boat

3 wine corks, used or new work fine
2 thick rubber bands
1 small eye hook
several feet of string or yarn
1 toothpick
1 foam or paper 'sail'

Taking your three corks line them up and then wrap a rubber band on each side, two total, to hold them together flat. Make sure the rubber bands are nice and tight. Then screw a small eye hook in one end of the boat. Tie your string or yarn to the eye hook this is to hold on to the boat, so it doesn't get away. Finally, create a small sail for the boat out of either paper or small colored foam sheets (preferred method) and add it with a toothpick poked into the top of the boat. You can easily add a leaf on a stick or wrap your string onto a stick handle  - small ways to add nature into your projects. For you older students you can invite them to gather small sticks and use the string/yarn to assemble a traditional 'raft' concept too. Then play and enjoy! Super easy, just requires preparing materials ahead of time.

Pond Viewers

One activity that is always a favorite in the summer months is creating a pond viewer. We have done this activity a few times and used them both at lakes and ponds. What I have found is a lake became much to enticing to play in which in essence ditched the activity. A pond however, felt more inviting to actually step more carefully in the water and view without to much extra play. As well, a pond seemed to offer more immediate life to discover vs a the lake we used. That more immediate gratification seems to prolong interest.

To create a pond viewer you need just a few simple supplies. For this activity I asked that each family scout out their own metal can, the size of a #10 can that restaurants use (great source to hit up) or a very large coffee can. With coffee cans though be sure to double check they are metal as many are cardboard. They were to arrive with both ends removed, which a simple can opener will do safely. I provided for the activity some duct tape, scissors and a couple rolls of Syran wrap/plastic wrap. (I also brought a can opener for the families that were not prepared) I had a fold up table prepared to work on as this location did not have tables, however the pond was in a great location and a new journey for us to explore as a group.

The kids then took turns cutting and covering both ends/edges of their metal cans to ensure nothing sharp could hurt them. I asked parents to double check their work. Once lined with tape the kids then took a piece or two of plastic wrap (I suggest a double layer for sturdiness) and placed it over the can tightly. Once it was placed over the can they then secured it with more duct tape. Nice and tight!! The idea is that your plastic wrapped end can be put faced down into the water and you look through the open end, no water is to come into the can to make for clear viewing under the water. If your plastic wrap is taped loosely it will leak, which can make for a frustrating tool.

Once everyone had a completed project, we cleaned up and hit the trail in search of good access to the pond area. I had pre-visited the location with my family to ensure it would meet our needs. We found about 4 spots with very easy access, fun exploring areas, quality viewing and wonderful little finds. The kids found several different kinds of little fish, snails, fresh water clam shells (which we discussed why there were just shells - a sign of a critter eating them), nice rocks, unique plants and little treasures like a couple of coins. Even parents got in on the action to see how it worked. Older students waded out further and the younger students we kept closer to shore. They really enjoyed exploring a new way to look at a pond! Fun and hands on!!

These were some of the treasures the kids found using their pond viewers. We had many, many more including crawfish but I didn't get photos of them.