Backyardigans Painted Paper Plate Boats

Sail away with the Backyardigans for a colorful adventure! Help your preschooler make a sail with construction paper and a straw, and then attach it to a painted paper plate.

Watch The Backyardigans every day on Nick Jr.

Materials

• 6-in. sturdy paper plates
• Crayons OR
• Acrylic paints (assorted colors) and paintbrushes
• Backyardigans Sail Template & Decorations
• Straws
• Colored construction paper
• Craft glue
• Clear tape
• Glitter (optional)

Directions

1. Step 1

   Show your child how to paint each paper plate in different colors and patterns. Let the plates dry completely. If you used acrylic paints, it's critical that you wait until the paint has completely dried so that it becomes water-resistant.

2. Step 2

   While waiting for the paint to dry, prepare the sails. Print the Backyardigans Sail Template & Decorations. Cut out the sail template and trace it onto construction paper of various bright colors. Cut from the construction paper. (Enlarge the sail template before tracing, if desired.) Cut a straw slightly higher than the sail. Apply glue to the rectangular area within the sail shape, place the straw along the long edge, and roll it up. Press down along the glue edge while drying. Cut out the Backyardigans sail decorations. Glue one to the center of the sail. Encourage your preschooler to decorate the sail further with acrylic paints and glitter. Make as many sails as the boats.

3. Step 3

   Cut the bottom of each "mast" (the straw) into four tiny strips and affix them to a paper plate with clear tape. The boats and the Backyardigans are now ready for a "high sea" exploration with your preschooler!