Balloon-Powered Boats (12 Pack)

Balloon-Powered Boats bring enormous summer energy to craft time as kids decorate a wooden boat, inflate a balloon, and watch it zip across water like it has somewhere important to be.

Turn Craft Time Into a Mini Water Race

Balloon-Powered Boats are the kind of project that instantly grabs attention because the result is not just something to hold, it is something to launch. Kids decorate the wooden boat, attach an inflated balloon, and then release the air pressure to send it gliding forward. The “whoa, it actually goes” moment is basically guaranteed.

This craft is a perfect fit for summer programming, camp activities, and STEM-focused fun. It blends creativity with motion and experimentation, giving kids a reason to test, tweak, and try again. Balloons come in different colors, making each finished project feel more unique.

Use these in pools, tubs, bins, or any supervised water station where you want hands-on excitement without complicated setup.

Why Balloon-Powered Boats Make Summer Programs Better

• Combines decorating with real movement on water
• Encourages curiosity through testing and racing
• Great for outdoor stations and hot weather activities
• Creates high excitement with simple steps

Product Highlights

• Water Racing Fun – Air-powered movement creates exciting launches
• DIY-Ready Wood – Smooth wooden boats made for decorating
• STEM-Friendly – A playful way to explore motion and air power
• Summer Perfect – Ideal for camps, outdoor programs, and warm weather days

What’s Included

• Unfinished wooden boats
• Balloons (colors may vary)

This Boat Craft Is Great For

• Schools: A hands-on STEM water activity. Students decorate, test, and observe how air power creates motion in a clear, memorable way.
• After-School Programs: An energy-burning favorite. Kids stay engaged because they can create, race, and improve their results with each launch.
• Camps: A summer station that feels like an event. Perfect for outdoor craft time, water day activities, and friendly team races.
• Recreation Centers: A crowd-pleasing group challenge. Easy to run as a rotating station with big reactions and minimal prep.
• Home: A backyard or bathtub win. Great for a rainy-day indoors or a sunny-day outside when kids want something that moves.
• Nursing Homes / Senior Centers: A cheerful, interactive craft. Decorating the boats is relaxing, and watching them glide can spark smiles and conversation.
• VBS: An excellent fit for water and journey themes. Kids create a boat they can race and remember while tying into themed lessons.

How to Get Started

• Decorate the wooden boats with your chosen supplies
• Let decorations dry completely
• Attach and inflate the balloon
• Place the boat in the water and release to launch

Tips for Racing and Learning

• Use a large bin or shallow pool for easy racing lanes
• Compare the launch distance with different balloon inflation levels
• Make it a team challenge with timing and distance goals

Explore More

For more group-friendly craft ideas, visit our blog and check out The Ultimate Guide to Hosting a Memorable Group Crafting Session and Managing Crafts Program Logistics Like A Pro. If you want more water-themed projects, explore our Water Crafts collection.

Order Your Balloon Powered Boats Today

Balloon-Powered Boats are the kind of craft that gets kids cheering, testing, and begging for “one more race.” It is creative, active, and turns a simple balloon into a tiny engine. Add these to your next program for maximum fun with a splash of science.