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Make · Wild and Tumble activity

Tiny leaf boats

All aboard! Make a little boat from a leaf and a twig and set it sailing.

  • 15 min total
  • Some mess
  • Ages 2–5*
  • Outdoors
  • Rainy days
Let's do this

*Illustrative age guidance. Your child's development and circumstances matter more than a number.

A tiny plan for your day

Estimated time: 4 min to make · 10 min to sail · 1 min to tidy. It's fine to stop early.

Before you start

What you’ll need

  • A big, flat leaf
  • A short twig for a mast
  • A puddle, or a washing-up bowl of water

Let's begin

Four simple steps

That's the whole activity. Tick each step off as you go, and stop whenever you like.

  1. Push the twig gently through the middle of the leaf.

  2. Pop your boat on the water.

  3. Blow it across, or make little waves with your hand.

  4. Can it carry a tiny passenger, like an acorn cup?

All done!

That's every step. However it went, you made a little moment together.

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