Back to activities

Indoor activity

Clothespin Sailboat

Clip clothespins together to make a hull, add a popsicle-stick mast and paper sail, then race your boat across a tub of water!

Ages 3-10 0-1 hours Education 6/10

Materials

  • Clothespins
  • Large Bowl
  • Markers
  • Paper
  • Popsicle Sticks
  • PVA Glue

Illustrated Steps

1

Build the Hull

Clip three clothespins side by side onto a popsicle stick to form a stable raft hull.

2

Make the Mast

Push a popsicle stick vertically into the middle clothespin to create a tall mast.

3

Create the Sail

Cut a paper sail, poke holes, thread it onto the mast, and decorate with markers!

4

Launch and Race

Float your sailboat on water and blow the sail to race it across!

What You’ll Create

A boat that really floats! ⛵ Your little shipbuilders will clip clothespins together to form a sturdy hull, insert a popsicle stick mast, and attach a colourful paper sail. Then launch it in a bowl, sink, or paddling pool and blow it across the water. Will it sail straight or spin in circles? Only one way to find out!

How to Set It Up

Step 1: Build the Hull

Take three clothespins and clip them side by side onto a flat popsicle stick — this creates a stable, raft-like hull. The clothespin handles face up and the gripping ends face down into the water. Make sure they’re evenly spaced so the boat sits level. ⚓

Step 2: Make the Mast

Take another popsicle stick and push it vertically into the spring gap of the middle clothespin. It should stand upright like a flagpole. If it wobbles, secure it with a small blob of PVA glue at the base. This is your mast! 🏴

Step 3: Create the Sail

Cut a triangle or rectangle from colourful paper. Poke two small holes (top and bottom) and thread the mast popsicle stick through them so the sail billows outward. Decorate the sail with markers — draw stripes, your name, or a pirate flag! 🎨

Step 4: Launch and Race

Fill a large bowl or basin with water and gently place your sailboat on the surface. Blow on the sail to propel it forward! Make multiple boats with friends and race them across the water. Who reaches the other side first? 🌊

Have fun!

  • 🏴‍☠️ Make a pirate flag sail with a skull and crossbones drawn in marker!
  • 🌬️ Experiment — does a bigger sail make the boat go faster or tip over?
  • 🎨 Paint the clothespins in bright colours before building for a rainbow fleet!
  • 📐 Try different hull designs — four clothespins, two clothespins — which is most stable?

Why It’s Amazing

  • Buoyancy Basics: Testing whether the boat floats, tips, or sinks introduces Archimedes’ principle in the most hands-on way possible. ⚓

  • Engineering Design: Balancing the mast height, sail size, and hull width teaches structural trade-offs — real naval architecture in miniature! 🔬

  • Wind Power: Blowing the sail and watching the boat move demonstrates how wind energy converts to kinetic energy. 💨

  • Fine Motor Skills: Clipping clothespins, threading sails, and balancing components all build hand strength and dexterity. ✋

Pro Tips

For ages 3–5: Pre-assemble the hull and mast. Let them decorate the sail with markers and help launch the boat. Blowing the boat across water is the best part!

For ages 5–8: Let them build the full boat themselves. Challenge them to make the boat sail in a straight line — adjusting the sail angle teaches basic aerodynamics.

For ages 8–12: Run a proper regatta! Build boats with different sail shapes (square, triangular, tall, short) and test which design is fastest. Record results and discuss why some designs work better. Add a rudder from a small piece of cardboard taped to the back.

Secret Pro Move: Add a small blob of modelling clay or a coin to the bottom of the hull as ballast — this lowers the centre of gravity and stops the boat from tipping over in the wind! 🎯