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Bark Boats
A very simple little boat with a leaf sail--the kind our grandfathers may have sailed down streams years ago.
You will need
- chunks of bark in varying sizes from 3-4 inches long to as big as you can handle. Pine bark (mulch) is available at garden shops.
- sticks
- leaves
- an oyster shucker, awl or ice pick--some kind of tool with which to bore a hole
- optional--small cup hooks and string
What to do 
- Bore a small hole in the center of the piece of bark to hold the mast for the sail. If you have a very large piece of bark, you may want to have more than one mast. Have the children bore the holes. Depending on the sharpness of the tools they're using, they will need more or less supervision.
- Thread a large leaf onto a stick, and place the stick in the hole.
- If you want to attach strings so the children can pull their boats (or not lose them downstream!), screw a small cup hook into the front edge and tie on a string.
- Sail the boats in a big tub of water or water table or, better yet, take the children to a creek or stream and really let them sail!
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