Popsicle Stick Boat Craft for Kids

This step-by-step craft tutorial teaches how to make a popsicle stick boat with or without a peg doll person on top that floats in water.

Making a popsicle stick boat is a simple craft for kids. This creative, hands-on craft stick boat project is an easy, budget-friendly activity that encourages imagination and improves fine motor skills. Both creating and playing with a popsicle stick boat also provide children, from toddlers to teens, with valuable STEM learning opportunities. From putting them together to navigating one downstream, kids of all ages will enjoy experimenting with both making and using popsicle stick boats.

Whether building it for a school project, a rainy day activity, at summer camp, or just for fun, this step-by-step guide will walk you through creating a miniature boat or raft using popsicle sticks. Best of all, this easy popsicle stick raft floats when finished. This makes it possible for kids to play with their homemade craft stick boat in bathtubs, creeks, pools, lakes, and even the ocean! You might also enjoy using popsicle sticks to make a Nativity Stable craft.

Popsicle Stick Boat Craft Activities for Kids:

Making crafts with popsicle sticks offers a wide range of developmental and educational benefits for children. Craft sticks are a versatile material that encourages creativity because they can be used to build a variety of crafts and DIY projects, such as this popsicle stick boat. Crafting with popsicle sticks also helps develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness as children glue and assemble the pieces.

Assembling a boat with popsicle sticks is a screen-free activity that encourages focus and helps children develop patience and perseverance. Whether crafted individually at home or in a group setting, such as a classroom, art room, or summer camp, this popsicle stick craft activity provides a fun way to learn through hands-on creation. Once finished, they can be used in or out of the water for hours of experimentation and imaginative play.

Build a boat that floats with this popsicle stick craft activity:

Typically, popsicle stick boats float because they are made with wood that is less dense than water. Most popsicle stick boats displace enough water to support their weight and stay afloat when placed in water. However, the construction and its structural integrity are essential. If the craft stick boat is poorly constructed or easily becomes waterlogged, it can become unstable and sink.

This popsicle boat craft includes foam blocks or recycled wine corks in its construction. Because both of these simple craft materials float on their own, they add to the structural integrity. This simple addition keeps the popsicle sticks out of the water, thereby preventing the boat from becoming waterlogged and sinking, even with a small peg doll or another figurine sitting on top. You might also enjoy this Shadow STEAM Project.

How to Make a Popsicle Stick Boat That Floats:

Encourage children to create craft stick boats, with or without the peg doll, using the step-by-step craft project instructions below. On the craft supply list below, you will notice a variety of craft materials and techniques, from simple to more complex, that you can choose from to construct this popsicle boat craft. Choose the materials you have on hand or craft supplies that match the ability level of the crafters who will assemble them.

For example, if you don’t have counting blocks, use recycled wine corks as a substitute for foam blocks. If you are working with toddlers or preschoolers, use unfinished craft sticks and peg dolls to skip painting them, making the process faster and easier. Alternatively, you can make the boat without a peg doll, as shown in the photograph below. This will make the popsicle boat craft quicker and easier for this age group to build. If you don’t want to include a peg doll on top of the miniature boat craft, skip steps three through six. You can also substitute another type of figurine. Encourage children of all ages to experiment and have fun!

Craft Stick Peg Doll Boat Supplies:

As mentioned above, there are several types of materials you can use to make these popsicle boat crafts. Choose at least one item from the top three craft supplies on the list to construct a simple popsicle stick raft. The remaining material suggestions are optional. Read the instructions below for more information about each option. Please read the step-by-step instructions for the popsicle stick boat below to make a more informed choice about which craft supplies to use to assemble it.

• Colored craft sticks or unfinished popsicle sticks
  • You will need six to eight popsicle sticks to make each boat.
  • I used 4.5-inch popsicle sticks to make the boats in the photographs, but another size can be substituted.
• Foam counting blocks or recycled untapered wine corks
  • Depending on their size, you will need four to eight counting blocks or two to four wine corks to make each popsicle stick boat raft.
  • The exact amount will depend on the size of the blocks or corks relative to the number and size of the popsicle sticks. (Read the instructions below for more information.)
• Waterproof craft glue that dries clear or a low-temperature glue gun with glue sticks.
• Baby wooden peg dolls (optional; this set includes several sizes).
  • I used the small peg doll in this set to make the boat crafts pictured; you can use larger sizes for bigger popsicle-stick rafts.
  • Use leftover wooden dolls to make rainbow peg dolls, butterfly crafts, wooden fairy dolls, and more! (See the list of ideas at the bottom of the tutorial.)
• Watercolor paint tubes or liquid watercolors (optional)
• Paintbrushes (optional, also included with the first watercolor paint set above)
• Fine-tip black paint pen (optional for drawing a face on the peg doll).
• Mod Podge or another sealant (optional; read instructions below for more info).
• Foam brush (optional, also included with the paintbrushes or Mod Podge set above).

Step-by-Step Popsicle Stick Boat Craft Instructions:

As mentioned previously, there are several craft options for making this popsicle boat craft. Follow the steps below to construct it according to the materials you want to use with the directions below:

1. Gather craft supplies and prepare work surface:

• Select your preferred craft materials from the options listed above.
• Place a piece of paper, cardstock, or a glass cutting mat on your work surface to protect it from damage caused by glue or paint (optional but recommended).

2. Glue the foam blocks or recycled wine corks together:

• Glue two sets of three blocks or two recycled wine corks together for each boat.
  • Please do your best to match them up so they sit flush.
• The photos show three 3/4-inch foam counting blocks, but untapered wine corks, glued end to end, can be easily substituted.
• Alternatively, you can glue more or fewer counting blocks, or wine corks together to make a broader or narrower popsicle stick boat.
• The number and size of blocks or corks you use will determine how many popsicle sticks you need to assemble the boat craft.
  • For example, the photos show three 3/4-inch blocks and six popsicle sticks to make this craft.
  • Alternatively, you can use four 3/4-inch blocks, three 1-inch blocks, or two wine corks glued end-to-end, along with approximately eight popsicle sticks.

3. Glue craft sticks to the foam blocks or wine corks to make the deck of the boat craft:

• Apply a generous amount of glue across foam blocks (or corks), as shown in the photographs below.
  • I used waterproof craft glue, but a low-temperature hot glue can be substituted.
    • Hot glue dries quicker, but it is not safe for young children to work with and does not adhere well over time.
    • I have noticed that popsicle boats made with hot glue break apart more easily than those made with stronger craft glue.
    • However, hot glue makes it easier to construct the popsicle boat quickly because it does not require drying time. With that said, it can be challenging to assemble the boat deck before the hot glue dries.
    • Please supervise children safely when using a glue gun.
• Place craft sticks into the line of glue across both sets of foam blocks to connect them and complete the boat deck or raft.
• Use as many craft sticks as needed to completely cover the foam blocks or wine corks.
  • The photos below show six small green craft sticks laid in craft glue across three green 3/4-inch foam blocks to create an easy, floating raft.
• Set aside and allow to dry if needed.

4. Paint peg doll bodies (optional):

• Skip down to step seven below if you are opting not to put a peg doll on your popsicle stick boat craft.
• I used the smallest baby or pawn peg dolls from this set to make the craft-stick boats shown in the photographs.
• If you are using unfinished popsicle sticks to make this boat craft, you can leave the wooden peg doll unfinished or paint it if preferred.
• Use watercolors straight out of the tube with very little water to match the vibrant colors of the craft sticks, as shown in the photograph below.
  • Alternatively, you can use concentrated liquid watercolors without water, but you may need to mix two colors to match the popsicle sticks.
• Do not paint the neck or head yet; wait to paint them in the next step.
• Allow the paint on the body of the wooden peg doll to dry before proceeding to the next step; it typically takes about 10-20 minutes.

4. Paint peg doll heads (optional):

• Look at the peg doll and decide what part of the head you want to be the face.
• Paint a line from shoulder to shoulder, as shown in the photo below.
• Apply paint to the back of the head, leaving the face unpainted.
• Use the paintbrush to clean up the lines around the faces and paint the necks of the baby peg dolls, as shown in the photo below.

5. Paint faces on the peg dolls (optional):

• Use a paint pen to draw a simple face onto the baby peg doll, as shown in the photographs below.
• Alternatively, you can leave the face blank.
  • Most Waldorf dolls do not have faces.

6. Glue peg dolls to the popsicle stick Raft or boat Deck (optional):

• Place waterproof craft glue on the bottom of the peg doll.
• Carefully glue the wooden peg doll in the middle of the raft or boat deck.
• Alternatively, you can leave the popsicle stick raft as is without a peg doll on top.

7. Apply a clear drying sealant to the craft stick boat (optional):

• Use a foam brush to apply Mod Podge (or an alternative sealant) to seal and protect the boat deck and the peg doll on top if desired.
  • Mod Podge is a top coat that seals and protects the wood. It is a finishing glue that goes on white and dries clear.
  • Update 2026: Even with a sealant applied, the colored craft sticks will often still run and fade when exposed to water, but it does help protect the boat craft’s longevity.
• Do not paint the foam blocks or wine corks; only where they connect to the boat.
• Make sure you paint it into every crack to help the raft adhere together and remain intact when exposed to water.
• Apply two to three coats to increase durability and extend the boat’s life if you plan to use it in the water.
• Allow it to dry before putting it in the water.

Related: DIY Rainbow Peg Dolls

Popsicle Stick Boat Craft for Kids:

Congratulations! Once your boat is completely dry, it is complete and ready to float! Feel free to personalize your boat with paint or other decorative elements to make it your own. Once finished, the kids can play with these boats in bathtubs, creeks, pools, lakes, and even the ocean!

Popsicle stick craft activities like this one provide an excellent way for children to learn while having fun. Making and playing with craft stick boats provides children with valuable STEM learning opportunities. Whether you test it on water or display it proudly on a shelf, you’ve created something unique with just a few simple craft supplies.

Try rock balancing or shadow art to enjoy more outdoor learning fun.

Don’t forget to check out our summer bucket list seasonal activity guide for more fun activities for kids.

Learn more about Nell Regan Kartychok, author, photographer, and creator of this original popsicle boat craft and Rhythms of Play HERE!

If you like Making Craft Stick Boats, You Might Also Enjoy These DIY Peg Doll Crafts:

• Rainbow Peg Dolls
• Acorn Peg Dolls
• Monarch Butterfly Peg Dolls
• Autumn Peg Doll Fairy Crafts 
• Winter Fairy Peg Dolls
• Angel Peg Doll
• Elf Peg Dolls