If your kids love dressing up, adventure, and pretend play that takes them to faraway places, this sailing game is for you!
Create life on the high sea in your very own living room with some old-timey clothes, a little music, and your child’s limitless imagination. This sailing game is perfect for those who long to travel without leaving home for the adventure.
All activities in our pretend play Sailing Adventure can be completed with or without props. The boat, binoculars, tools, and other items mentioned can be imaginary or enhanced with physical objects and art supplies. It’s up to you how you play the game!
Come aboard! Let's set sail on in our pretend play adventure!
“THE SAILING Adventure!”
3 - 6
10 minutes
25 - 35 minutes
Coloring Sheets
Grab your ticket for the Creativity Cruiseline, navigate your way to find the hidden treasure, and bring to life sea friends. Below, available for free download, are our hand-drawn coloring sheets for your kiddos to color before or after their sailing adventure!
Dressing Up
First, grab some old-timey clothes, or even a striped t-shirt and some white pants. You can’t play a sailing game without costumes! Ask your kiddo what they think a sailor wears and work with what you have at home. Complete the look with a hat for a more formal sailor look, or go barefoot if you’re a more rough and tumble sailor. There are no rules! Once your costume is complete, you’re ready for the next step.
Building the Boat
Next, if you’re going to sail, you need a boat! This boat can be made from cardboard boxes, couch cushions, chairs and blankets, a clothes basket, or pure imagination. You and your child can decide. Building it is part of the fun!
Pretend that the boat has been sitting in the dock for quite a while. It needs to be fixed up before the adventure begins. Get out your hammer, nails, and paintbrushes to tackle some ship repair and maintenance before you set sail. The deck could use a good swabbing, too! Once the boat is seaworthy, hoist the sails and pull up the anchor. You’re on your way!
On the Water
Once you’re on the water, you, or another adult, will act as the captain and steer the ship. But let the little seafarers take turns steering, too, so they can help guide the sailing game.
As you set sail, listen to the “Sailing, Sailing” song and create movements to go with the music. This will help propel the boat through the water.
Have your sailors use binoculars (toilet paper rolls?) to find ocean creatures, other boats, or fantastic islands. When anyone spies an island, they should shout, “Land, ho!” That means it’s time to stop and explore, as that is what sailors do.
Destinations
Your journey can take you anywhere, but here are a few places you can drop anchor.
Lollipop Island:
Filled with lollipop flowers and magic beans, Lollipop Island is a sweet adventure waiting to happen. Perhaps your kiddos hop out of the boat and onto the Rainbow Dot Path until they reach Lollipop Fields, where they fill their pockets with lollipop flowers and other souvenirs. Each child can describe their lollipop flavors and treasures when they return to the boat. If you’ve decided to use real lollipops on this island, maybe your sailors can enjoy them as you float to your next destination.
ANIMAL ISLAND:
Welcome to the land of all things animal! Here you can encourage your child to use their theater skills by playing Guess the Animal. Each child pretends to be a specific animal, acting it out with sounds and movement to the best of their ability. Everyone else gets to guess what kind of animal they are. When everyone’s had a turn, it’s on to the next port!
Dancing Island
No walking here, only follow-the-leader freeze dancing! Choose a dance leader (a child or an adult), and have them stand on one side of the room facing the followers (everyone else). Let the dancing begin! Freeze everyone occasionally to change dance leaders so everyone gets a chance to lead before returning to the boat.
Troll Island:
Do not disturb the trolls! The trolls are sleeping. Little sailors should tiptoe around the island without waking them. But maybe they’ll find one fun little troll to quietly invite back to the boat for storytime. If your child does invite a troll back to the boat, have them introduce their new friend to the rest of the group.
Thank you for coming aboard our sailing adventure!
Once you’re home from your sailing journey, you can start planning your next pretend play adventure game!
Dress-up games like this one don’t have to be perfect or too complicated. The most important thing is encouraging your child to play, imagine, and create with confidence. Enjoy your time at sea!
