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How to Make Your Own Float Craft

A boat or craft can float if it displaces the same volume of water that equals its weight. This principle is known as buoyancy. For example, the hull or bottom of boat pushes water away. The water beneath is pushing up against the boat. If the hull is lighter than the amount of water it pushes away, the boat will float. Even a steel ship filled with cargo or people will float because the amount of water it displaces weighs more than the ship.

Things You'll Need

Milk Carton
Scissors
3 Straws
Tape
Plastic Wrap
String
Hole punch
Paper cup

Instructions

- 1
  Cut the milk carton in half lengthwise with the scissors. Lay the milk carton down and turn it so that the inside of the carton faces up.
- 2
  Use the hole punch to punch a hole in each corner of the carton. Position the four holes about 1 inch from the top of the corners.
- 3
  Choose one of the three straws to be the mast; the other two straws will be your sails. Take one of the sail straws and tape it so that it runs horizontally across the mast straw as if you are forming a cross. You should position it 1 inch from the top of the mast straw.
- 4
  Tape the other sail straw in the same way but position it 2 to 3 inches from the bottom of the mast straw.
- 5
  Cut a piece of plastic wrap and stretch it in the space between the two sail straws. Tape the plastic wrap to the sail straws to secure it.
- 6
  Tape the finished mast and sails to the middle and bottom of the milk carton, or your boat.
- 7
  Take a piece of string and loop it through one of the holes in the corner of your boat. Knot one end around the corner. Run the string to the top of the mast. Tie the other end to the top of the mast.
- 8
  Repeat for all three strings. Make sure the mast is standing upright and on its own.
- 9
  Tape an empty paper cup to the top of the mast as the lookout post.
- 10
  Take your boat to the bathtub or a local pond. Blow against the plastic sail to watch the boat move through water.

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