Grandparents, Spring is just around the corner. That means it’s time to start planning outdoor activities to enjoy with your grandchildren. Every boy, and girl, enjoys building a wooden boat that they can sail for hours on end. Why not take a picnic lunch – fishing poles, too – and make a day of it when you celebrate the launching of your grandchild’s new wooden boat. Combine these activities with Grandchild, We’ll Sail the Sea poem.

At familyfun.com (Disney) you can find directions for building a child’s wooden boat model using balsa wood.  Here is an excerpt from their site:

“Most any grandchild can spend an afternoon fishing with a homemade pole on the banks of a river, or building dams, bridges and pools. It only takes a little bit of imagination to create a small raft to float in your backyard streams.  With some grandparental guidance and a chunk of balsa wood you can create a genuine craft to navigate that brook that will last for years to come. Follow this step-by-step guide and build your own floating masterpiece.”  

Gandparent and Grandchildren Fun Vacation: Wooden Boat Festivals

Grandparents, why not take time on a weekend or vacation with your grandchildren and visit one or more Wooden Boat Festivals. You’ll find many wooden boats and fun activities for grandparents and grandchildren alike, including building a wooden boat model. Take advantage of the celebration of the tradition and craft of wooden boat building to learn about maritime heritage and culture.

Don’t forget to bring your digital cameras! I’d love to post some of your photos. (Come back next week for digital photo activities.)

There are many wooden boat festivals scheduled this year – some are in the planning and some have already posted their event information online. Just type in “wooden boat festival” plus the state into your search engine of choice  -you’ll be sure to find their sites.

Happy boating!