DIY Paper Plate Mayflower Ship

Today’s craft is an educational Thanksgiving kids craft.  What makes this paper plate Mayflower ship special is that it rocks back and forth.

Paper Plate Mayflower ship is a Thanksgiving craft or a fall craft for kids

This simple craft was also a teaching moment for my kids.  They asked a lot of questions regarding the Pilgrims sailing on the ship and coming to America.  

The Mayflower ship brought the Pilgrims (Puritans) from England to the United States.  It sailed in 1620.  We remember the Mayflower around the Thanksgiving holiday.

My kids had fun playing with the completed craft. My son loved rocking the ship back and forth.   I hope you enjoy making this Mayflower boat craft.

If you like this Thanksgiving kids craft, please pin it for easy reference. 

Keep reading for more fall kids craft ideas. 

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Paper Plate Mayflower Ship Supplies

Paper Plate Mayflower Ship Instructions

Paint one side of the paper plate brown.  Let dry completely.

A paper plate painted brown.

Next, fold the painted brown paper plate in half.

The brown painted paper plate folded in half.

Then, use a black marker to draw lines that will look like wood on the folded, brown paper plate. I used a ruler to help me draw straight lines.

Black lines drawn on the brown folded paper plate to make it look like boards.

Draw 3 sails on white paper.  I made one big sail and 2 small sails. Then, cut them out.

1 large sail and 2 small sails cut out from white paper.

Next, glue one craft stick to the center and one craft stick to each end of the folded, brown paper plate.

Three craft sticks glued to the top of the folded brown paper plate.

Then, glue the paper sails to the top of the craft sticks.  (Glue one paper sail to each of the craft sticks).

Paper plate Mayflower ship craft.

When your Mayflower ship is dry, stand it up on a flat, hard surface.  Gently tap on the edges, it will rock. 

I hope you enjoyed making this DIY paper plate mayflower ship.

Mayflower ship craft.  Perfect kids fall craft or kids Thanksgiving craft

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This thankful turkey teaches kids about gratitude.

Thankful turkey craft.

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