If you haven’t noticed, we have been working with a bit of a nautical theme recently. Our nautical wrapping paper and nautical gift tags are great for pretty summer gift-giving. And the You Are My Anchor card can be used for any occasion to show appreciation for your loved ones. We particularly love the beachy nautical theme for summer celebrations! Our under the sea photo props are perfect for creating a nautical themed summer party, and this paper boat project can easily be incorporated into your party decor.
In our tutorial below, you will see how simple it is to assemble this boat—making it a great craft project for kids! They can make their own paper boat to play with, help you set the table with it (see pictures below for inspiration), or use it in another craft project.
Easy Sailing
To make a paper boat set, begin by downloading the template below. Download the SVG version if you will be using a cutting machine, or use the PDF version if you are cutting by hand. If you are using the PDF version, you can print the template directly onto the paper you will be using.
We made our paper boats with an assortment of pretty metallic text weight papers. You can use any color scheme that you would like for these boats, but we decided to create these boats to match our 1970s retro sailboat gift wrap. I’ve added links for each of the papers below in the materials list. If you are using this paper boat project to incorporate into a nautical or beach themed party, I would suggest using a color scheme that matches your specific event decor.
Our paper boats can be used as cute party favors that you can fill with candies, or to decorate a table setting. Scatter them around the table, or write names on the boats to use as adorable place cards! You can even create your own paper boat garland to hang around your party by attaching the boats to a pretty ribbon or piece of colored baker’s twine. I’m thinking these boats would make for a super cute baby mobile…there are so many possibilities!
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Tools
Materials
- Text Weight Paper – Poptone Berrylicious, Stardream Metallic Sapphire, Stardream Metallic Crystal, Paper Source Curry, and Poptone Orange Fizz
- Wood Skewer
How to Make a Paper Boat
- Gather your craft tools and materials. Then download the template below.
- Cut and score your paper according to the template, using your scissors or a cutting machine.
- Fold along score lines. Clip slits along the tabs to allow for a curve.
- Glue small tabs and attach to the side. Then, glue slit tabs to the front of the boat.
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For instant access to our templates and tutorials, take a look at our membership options. Always feel free to write in with project suggestions to hello@liagriffith.com! Until next time ~ Lia
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15 Comments
Hi LÃa! How are u? Im from Argentina and i love everything you do.
I have a question for you please: i have the scan cut from Brother; today i tried to print the boat with the sgv file and everything was ok but in the part where im supposed to fold the paper, the print cut the Paper so i have to glue all the parts. I think i have done something wrong because the instructions shows that the botton part or the boat is one piece and instead i have several parts. Hope you undestand me and help me 🙂. Thank you very much Flavia
Hi Flavia,
We are not familiar with the Brother cutting machine, the lines that indicate fold lines should be scored by your machine. You will need to manually select these lines to score them. Please contact Brother customer care for any help regarding your machine.
I BOUGHT YOUR BOOK,BUT CAN’T FIND ON YOUR SITE WHERE TO TYPE IN THE CODE FOR THE FREE PROJECT DOWNLOADS.
Hello! Page 12 lists the URL and secret code.
[…] une technique qui autorise la découpe et le collage du papier. Voici un exemple avec Lila Griffith […]
How adorable the little boats are, want to make lots of them. Did get few cut on my Cricut. Want to get more colors of metallic papers when we return from vacation, love how metallic papers give any item such rich look. Have so much want to do when we get back. The boats I did cut out on Cricut used some metallic papers gotten at Walmart, not much variety of colors but can do lighter boats, really pretty, look pearlescent.
Have you looked into new Gold Cricut? Saw ad online can pay $50.00 to trade machines. Will there be your projects on gold machine? Haven’t used projects that came with Cricut Air, are those still in machine or have they expired? Am always so careful, concerned will mess up machine. Being digitally compromised tends to cause me to be extra cautious.
Your site inspires me to be creative even when other part of life dulls creativity. There will be celebration of life for grandson who died in June 8th. Celebration will be on July 8th. Hoping we’ll be able to attend. Have great week all.
Thanks so much, I’m glad you love the boats! The Gold Cricut is beautiful, isn’t it? My projects won’t be available with that bundle. I’m not sure about the projects that came with your machine, but you can contact Cricut’s customer service to be sure. We’ll be thinking of you as you celebrate your grandson’s life!
I have been searching everywhere for a 3D paper boat! I’m having a nautical theme for my wedding and since it’s river nautical and not ocean, I didn’t want whales, starfish, seahorses, etc. This will be great for the reception. I’m going to fill them with goldfish crackers!
Thank you so much!
Oh that’s great, I’m so glad this will work for your wedding!
Ooooh! Thank you! I’ve been trying to make a 3d ocean view mobile for my grandson. It is not easy finding 3d files, and I’ve had to try to make my own. This boat is perfect!
Oh, how great! I’m so glad the boat will work for you 🙂
Thank you Lia you are such an inspiration to my craftie side. I really love all your projects. I find pleasure on opening my email and see your gift to me everyday. Many blessings.
Thank you Rhoda, that means so much to me! 🙂
Would appericate more written instruction, plus a complete material list. For example, what is the size of dowel used, or was it even a dowel? Options are nice, but spefics are better:)
Oops! The photo tutorial was accidentally missing from the post this morning, but it’s there now with plenty of details 🙂