My Junk Drawer Solution to Bathtime Peace

5 Junk Drawer Items + 5 Minutes of Assembly = 5 Nights of Peaceful Bathtub Play

It's a pitiful fact of a mom's life: you are more likely to enjoy 10 minutes of peacefully reading a novel while your kids are in the tub than while you are. Much as I'd enjoy some bath salts, candles, and maybe even a glass of chardonnay, let's face reality. If I don't compare it to a leisurely soak in the privacy of my tub, reading a couple chapters while perched on the toilet lid supervising my boys during their bathtime is actually pretty rewarding. It's enjoyable enough that I've sought out ways to extend their bathtub play enough to sneak in a few more pages. Here's my latest idea.


We have an abundance of bath toys. More than necessary I'm sure. But as with any toy, familiarity breeds contempt. (or boredom, or misuse, or destruction) So midway through my husband's recent business trip and desperately in need of anything even resembling "me-time" I went on a post-dinner web search for some kind of bath entertainment I could create in a few minutes with items on hand. The result? Cork boats.

Inspired by a post at Kate's Creative Space, I rummaged around to find some corks, toothpicks, and a couple pennies. I deviated from her designs by replacing wrapping paper with craft foam and glue with rubber bands. I made two each of two types of boats, in less than 10 minutes (probably less than 5 once I found all the materials). 

The Sailboat:

1. Carefully cut a cork in half lengthwise, yielding two "hulls." I used a serrated kitchen knife, though I am sure there are better tools out there. 
2. In the curved bottom of each "hull" cut a slit slightly smaller than the diameter of a penny, and only half as deep, then wedge the coin into the slit (provides balance in the water).
3. Cut a sail from craft foam, stiff paper, or flexible plastic. I chose foam to lengthen the boats' lives, but paper "laminated" with packing tape would work too. Your sail should be just slightly longer than your toothpicks, in a skinny-oval-with-pointed-ends type shape. 
4. Poke toothpick through sail at each pointed end. I used cocktail picks with little plastic tassels, but just because they looked cute. Standard toothpicks would be totally functional. 
5. Carefully poke toothpick into flat side of cork "hull" opposite the penny. 

The Raft-Style Boat:

1. If you choose not to enlist your kitchen knives for crafting with corks, or want to let your child attempt assembly, or just want variety (like me) you might want to try the raft-style boat.
2. You'll need 3 corks, lined up with round sides together. You could use a glue gun or superglue, or if you're impatient like me, a wide rubber band. I used a band from some veggies, twisted once so that the top of the raft had two bands across it and the bottom of the raft had an "x". 
3. Assemble sail as in steps 3 and 4 above. 
4. Carefully poke toothpick into middle cork of the raft. Note, penny is not needed because the raft balances better on its own.

Open Water Tips:

The addition of a drinking straw improves the fun factor. The straw makes gusts of wind or choppy waters (bubbles) easy to create. Side by side straws = boat races, opposing straws = boat battles. 

After considerable play, toothpicks can become water-logged and softened, thus prone to breakage. Keep a few extras sink-side for mast repairs. 

Of course, supervise boats with coins carefully if your children are still in the small-objects-in-mouth stage. Best to opt for rafts or at least glue coins in place.

Also a fun activity in large shallow bowl or pan on the patio or in the pool.

Am I the only one that relishes tub-time? Any suggestions for toy variety?