Walnut Shell Boats, Ahoy!

Photo credit:  Seth Chrisman

Here's What You Need:

whole walnuts

flat-head screwdriver

toothpicks

small bits of clay or home-made play dough (see recipe in the Art Studio section)

collected leaves, or colored paper to make "sails"

a place to float or race your boats!  You can use a bowl or pan of water, birdbath, sink, bathtub, etc.

Here's What You Do:

Photo credit:  Seth Chrisman

 *A nutcracker tends to shatter the shells, instead, use a flat-head screwdriver to produce two halves. (this part is an adult's job)

  *Hold the walnut securely and insert the screwdriver into the large flatter end of the nut. Gently pry the two halves apart (save the walnut meat for baking, salads or snacking). It may take several tries--sometimes one of the halves cracks to pieces.

Photo credit:  Seth Chrisman

  *Thread a leaf onto a toothpick, or alternately, tape a triangle of colored paper to the toothpick to make a sail.

  *Place a small bit of clay or play dough into the bottom of your boat.  Carefully attach the toothpick with the sail into the clay.  You may need to adjust for balance once you launch your walnut shell.

  *Float your boats in a bowl or pan of water, a vessel designed for floating candles, a birdbath, or even a sink or bathtub.

Photo credit:  Seth Chrisman

Michael Row the Boat Ashore, Irish Folk Song
(click on the link above to listen)

Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah

Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah

Sister help to trim the sail, hallelujah

Sister help to trim the sail, hallelujah

 Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah

Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah

River Jordan is chilly and cold, hallelujah

Chills the body but not the soul, hallelujah

Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah

Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah

Jordan river is deep and is wide, hallelujah

I've got a home on the other side, hallelujah

Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah

Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah

Michael's Boat is a music boat , hallelujah

Michael's Boat is a music boat , hallelujah

Michael row the boat, the boat ashore, hallelujah

Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah


Nursery Rhyme, "I Had a Little Nut Tree."

I had a little nut tree,
Nothing would it bear,

But a silver nutmeg,

And a golden pear.

The King of Spain's daughter

Came to visit me,

And all for the sake

Of my little nut tree.

I skipped over water,

I danced over sea,

And all the birds in the air,

Couldn't catch me.