Our Block Boat Sets Sail
Together we build a giant boat on the ground with blocks, a pole mast and a bedsheet sail, then climb aboard for a sea adventure. Children practice cooperative building and creative movement through pretend play.
How to play
- The teacher chalks the outline of a big boat and each child brings blocks to lay flat along the edge, like the boat's walls (4 min).
- In the middle, stand two poles in cones for the mast with the bedsheet tied on as a sail, and lay other poles along the sides as oars (2 min).
- Everyone climbs aboard, sits down and rows to a made-up chant: “Row, row, sailor, out across the sea, row, row, sailor, row along with me” (3 min).
- A storm hits: the boat rocks, we sway side to side, hold on to our neighbor and bail water out with our hands (3 min).
- The storm passes: we fish with pretend rods, wave to the whales and look through a spyglass until we shout “Land ho!” (4 min).
- Climb off one at a time stepping over the side, and together take the boat apart, carrying blocks back to the storeroom (2 min).
Rules
- There's room for everyone on board: scoot close, don't push.
- Don't step on the boat walls or water will get in.
- Don't touch the mast: if it falls, tell the captain.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, the boat is mostly built and they add the last blocks; the adventure is shorter and the teacher narrates it.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, build the whole boat and act out the storm and the fishing.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, children suggest what happens on the trip (an island, a giant octopus) and take jobs: captain, lookout, rowers.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: leave an opening with no blocks so the wheelchair can get in, and make that child the helmsman with a hoop as the wheel.
- Autism: announce the storm with an agreed signal and let them watch from the bow if the rocking feels like too much.
- Hearing impairment: tell the story with big gestures and picture cards (storm, fishing, land).
Learning goals
- Build a play space together.
- Act out story events and situations with the body.
- Share a small space respectfully.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Agility blocks: 40
- Plastic poles: 8
- Cones with pole holes: 2
- Old bedsheet: 1
Teacher tip
Size the boat so everyone fits sitting comfortably: about 13 by 10 feet for 25 children. Using the same rowing chant every time helps them move in sync.
PatioLab has "Our Block Boat Sets Sail" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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