Soap Boats Science & History

Soap Boats are fun to make just as a fun project, but they can also be used in science and history lessons to discuss oceans, sailing, boats, floating, and American history. They also appeal to a wide range of ages and require very little set up or clean up!

Here's the simple how-to for  Soap Boats:


Simple Supplies:

• Ivory soap
• grapefruit spoons (or normal spoons, or other sculpting tool!)
• bowl of water
• optional: liquid watercolors

Easy How-to:

1- Let your children carve out the boat!  Ivory soap works well because it is easy to dig into, but older children may enjoy comparing different brands.  I also like to use grapefruit spoons because they have a gentle serrated edge.  Normal spoons and other sculpting tools will also work.

2- Ask your children if they think their boats will float, and let them experiment with it.  They may also enjoy experimenting with other brands of soaps, objects or people being placed in their boats, objects or people on their own, and a plethora of other set-ups that they design themselves!  We added a little blue liquid watercolor to the "ocean" for the experimenting!  You can click here to see how we make liquid watercolors or use the convenient affiliate link at the bottom of this page to see them on Amazon.

Have you ever made soap boats?  What lessons would you make them with?

Here are some quick Amazon affiliate links for the supplies: you never pay more for clicking through these links, but if you do make a purchase I receive a small amount for referring you.






I may share at any of these parties!