HGTV.comHGTV.com

Milk-Carton Ships

Smart Solutions : Episode SSL-749 -- More Projects »
PHOTO

Milk cartons, tape and string can be easily transformed into waterproof sailing vessels.
Creativity expert Mark Icanberry demonstrates how to help children build their own sailing ships out of milk cartons and other household items.

Seaworthy Vessel

Materials:

milk carton
scissors
plastic straws
plastic bag
transparent tape
black tape
string
wooden skewer

Steps:

PHOTO

Figure A

  1. Cut a milk carton in half (figure A) to form the ship's bottom.

  2. Make a sail from two straws and a plastic bag.

  3. Cut a strip of transparent tape about four inches long and place sticky side up on the table.

  4. Attach a straw (cut to the width of the plastic bag) across the top, with tape hanging down.

  5. Attach bag to hanging tape. Repeat with another straw and attach to the bottom of the bag.
PHOTO

Figure B
PHOTO

Figure C
  • Make a mast from another, full-length straw. Tape vertically to the sail (figure B).

  • Cover the bottom of the boat with black tape. Tape a short straw down in the center that will support the mast (figure C).

  • Slip the mast straw down over the taped down straw in the center of the boat.

  • Make a hole in the four corners of the boat.
    • PHOTO

    Figure D
  • Tie a string through one corner, run it up and over a notch in the mast straw, and attach to the hole in the opposite corner (figure D). Repeat for the other side.

  • Make a pirate's flag with a wooden skewer for the pole.

  • Slip that into the straw mast, then draw a skull and crossbones on a piece of paper and attach that.
    • PHOTO

    Figure E
    * Note: The same technique can be used to make a Viking ship (figure E). Just add paper circles on the side for shields, and make oars from toothpicks with a little piece of colored tape on the end. Make a dragon's head and tail with colored paper (or paper that has been colored on) on each side. Attach with tape.
    Also in this Episode
    Smart Solutions : Episode SSL-749
    •Spanish Foods
    •Decorating With Moss
    •Milk-Carton Ships
    •Smart Solution of the Day
    HGTV.com
    Services Popular Content About
    Our Sister Sites

    Comparison Shop for Home Decor & Garden Tools at Shopzilla & BizRate

    UpMyStreet and uSwitch.com provide UK comparison services.

    © 2008 Scripps Networks, LLC. All rights reserved.