Floating Foil Boat Experiment

Introduce children to floating and sinking with this easy science experiment.  Kids will love designing and making tin foil boats and testing how well they float. They can investigate how many gems each boat can hold before it starts to sink, maybe even have a little competition. Even the youngest of scientists will enjoy this fun challenge. 

Floating foil boat experiment.  An easy science floating and sinking activity for kids to experiment with. Great for preschoolers and school aged children. Book themed activity based on 'Toy Boat' by Randall de Save.


This weeks book for the virtual book club for kids is 'Toy Boat' by Randall de Save. Scroll down for more boat themed activity ideas and a video of the story.

Take a look at our other book activities or at our clay boats and underwater craft.


MORE science experiments for kids





You will need:




  • tin foil 
  • glass gems (alternatively you could use pennies or compare bears) 
  • water tray 



Foil Boat Experiment


Take a piece of tin foil and mould it into a boat shape. Put the tin foil boat into a tray of water and see how many gems the boat can hold before it starts to sink. 

Floating foil boat experiment.  An easy science floating and sinking activity for kids to experiment with. Great for preschoolers and school aged children. Book themed activity based on 'Toy Boat' by Randall de Save.


Experiment with different shaped boats. Do some shapes float better than others? Do larger boats hold more gems before they sink? Does having tall sides help or are shorter sides better? 

Floating foil boat experiment.  An easy science floating and sinking activity for kids to experiment with. Great for preschoolers and school aged children. Book themed activity based on 'Toy Boat' by Randall de Save.

This is a great challenge for children of all ages.  Younger children will love making and playing with the foil boats as they investigate floating and sinking and older children can spend time perfecting their designs so that their boats hold more gems. 


Floating foil boat experiment.  An easy science floating and sinking activity for kids to experiment with. Great for preschoolers and school aged children. Book themed activity based on 'Toy Boat' by Randall de Save.

More boat themed activities for kids based on the story 'Toy Boat' by Randall de Save.

Fishing for Letters (with a FREE printable) – Preschool Powol Packets
How to Make a Boat with Recycled Materials– JDaniel4’s Mom
Geometric Shapes boat– Mama Smiles
Boat Building Shape STEM Challenge – Rainy Day Mum
Paint Resist Toy Boat Art Project– The Educator’s Spin on It
Toy rubber band boats - Teach Beside Me
Boat making station - Toddler Approved






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