Today, we’re making an Ancient Viking ship. Also, look at my page more Vikings Lapbook Unit Study. Too, look at my page Homeschool Geography for hands-on and simple ideas and tips.
We’ve been learning so much about early explorers such as the Vikings.
From reading fun books to STEM projects, this Viking Unit gave us a vast insight to where exploration began and helped set the stage for the Age of Exploration.
Studying the Vikings is not a standard that is mandated by our state, but I still wanted the kids to be interested in these explorers who were instrumental in changing the world.
There are many options for studying about the Vikings, but my love for hands-on learning drove me to find STEM projects to keep my engineering minded kids engaged.
Ancient Viking Ships
Since geography and map skills are important standards to be covered, I made sure to include map activities as well.
I decided to begin our history journey with the Vikings this year, and was able to create a fun, engaging unit in the process!
First, look at some of our favorite books about Vikings.
11 Viking Resources & Books for Multiple Ages
Grab some of these books and resources for multiple ages about Vikings.
Sigurd, a Viking boy, cannot see the value of learning to read and write. All he can think of is adventure. But then he has an adventure that he cannot help but tell. And to do that, he decides, he must learn to write. A fine story for young readers.
From battle-axe-wielding tribes plundering the greatest cities of Europe to powerful kings and queens ruling their dominions with iron fists, the Vikings were some of the most feared and fearless figures in European history. Find the bravest heroes, the most menacing villains, and unbelievably awesome facts and myths inside this action-packed overview that will amaze kids with tales of a people so incredible...it's hard to believe they were real.
The most trusted nonfiction series on the market, Eyewitness Books provide an in-depth, comprehensive look at their subjects with a unique integration of words and pictures. Loaded with superb color photographs of Viking ships and swords, clothes and shields, memorial stones and beautiful brooches, this revised and updated edition of Eyewitness: Viking offers a unique view into the lives of the Norse people and their outstanding achievements.
Kids can experience thrilling adventures on land and sea with this 3in1 set featuring a toy Viking ship, Viking house and Fenris wolf figure
The newest book in the best-selling, award-winning A Child's Introduction series explores the popular and captivating world of Norse mythology. Organized into two parts, part one introduces characters like Odin, the leader of the Norse gods; Thor and his mighty hammer Mjollner; Frigg,
weaver of the destinies of humans and gods; frost and fire giants; cunning dwarves like Brokk and Eitri; and many more. Part two tells the stories of the suspenseful myths themselves including The Creation of the Cosmos, The Aesir-Vanir War, Loki Bound, Thor's Hammer and many more.
Odd, a young Viking boy, is left fatherless following a raid. In his icy, ancient world there is no mercy for an unlucky soul with a crushed foot and no one to protect him. Fleeing to the woods, Odd stumbles upon and releases a trapped bear…and then Odd's destiny begins to change.
The eagle, bear, and fox Odd encounters are Norse gods, trapped in animal form by the evil frost giant who has conquered Asgard, the city of the gods. Now our hero must reclaim Thor's hammer, outwit the frost giants and release the gods…
Raiders from the Sea: Viking raiders capture Bree and her brother Devin and take them from their home in Ireland. After the young Viking prince Mikkel sets Devin free on the Irish coast far from home, Bree and Devin embark on separate journeys to courage. Readers will be captivated by the unfolding drama as Bree sails to Norway on the Viking ship and Devin travels the dangerous road home.
Set in 1005 AD, twins Brus and Jan go a-Viking with their father Harald Redbeard and all their household. They plan to settle in England with Danish relatives there. But, their ships are caught in a fierce gale on the North Sea, and they are taken far off course to the western shore of Scotland. Held captive by a cunning Scottish Laird, Jan and Brus must navigate the political intrigue of chieftain, clan, and king without the help of their father, who has been killed and their mother, who is believed lost at sea. They follow adventure after adventure until they earn their freedom and find a home in Scotland at last.
Printed on stiff card, this book contains templates to cut out and construct a model of a Viking settlement crammed with authentic detail. The base of the completed model measures 61 x 46cm, and includes 16 houses with doors and windows that open to reveal the details inside, and two Viking trading ships. It contains over 40 cut-out figures including merchants, traders and towns people to recreate scenes of everyday life in a bustling riverside settlement.
Answers questions about the everyday life of the Vikings, including clothing, homes, religion, medical care, food, entertainment, ships, shops and towns, government, warfare, and the travels of the Northmen in Asia and the North Atlantic.
Hands-On Viking Unit: Geography
To do this activity you will need the following materials:
- books about the Vikings (“You Wouldn’t Want to be a Viking Explorer”, “National Geographic Kids Everything Vikings”, Viking (DK Eyewitness Books))
- blue poster board
- reference map of the Viking routes
- pencil
- black fine tipped marker
- orange/red/green paint
- viking ship pattern
You also may want to have something to cover your table during this project.
I like to use Rosen paper from Home Depot. It’s durable enough to withhold spills and can be reused for other art projects.
Using a pencil in case of mistakes, we drew out the shapes of the countries onto the blue poster board. When we were satisfied with our outline, we went over it with the black tipped marker.
We then painted the countries to represent the Viking’s homeland and their settlements.
We made a map key and labeled each country
You’ll love this idea too for studying around the world using picture books.
To get some writing into this activity, I had the kids write down some facts about the Vikings on ship templates. Then we glued them around the poster board.
Because I have engineering minded kids, it’s really hard to not do a whole unit without a STEM project.
To tie a little science into this history unit, we also completed a Viking Ship STEM challenge.
An important aspect to this challenge is researching the history and the anatomy of a Viking ship.
It was important for the kids to realize how the environment and the purpose of the ships affected the way they were designed.
Not only were Vikings barbaric warriors, they also had a mind for engineering.
They truly understood how to mold their engineering designs to fit their need of plundering, raiding and invading their neighbors!
Their ships were such a great design that it’s still in use today!
Hands On Viking Unit: STEM
Hands-On Viking Unit: STEM and Geography
To do this activity you will need the following materials:
- an image of the anatomy of a Viking ship (there are many resources on the internet. Just google it.)
- paper and pencil
- ruler
- 8 popsicle sticks
- 2 straws
- 1 piece of card stock
- 2 strips of duct tape
- stick of modeling clay
- hot glue
- scissors
- markers or paint
The very first step of any type of STEM project should be the blueprint.
After researching and observing the design of a Viking ship, the kids determined how they could use the materials to build their own.
I made sure they drew out their ship, carefully labeling the materials they would use as the parts of their ships.
Next, the kids used the hot glue to build up the design of their ship.With the card stock, markers, straws, and modeling clay, the kids designed their own sails.
Because the Vikings didn’t have a lot of materials in which to choose, I made sure to limit the amount of materials available to build the ships.
The kids got very creative in designing. Another thing I really like to do with STEM projects is to let the kids come up with their own ideas and designs.
I only give hints or ideas when I see them becoming frustrated.
Hands-On Viking Unit: STEM and Geography
After building, the kids tested out their design.
This is a very important step and one of the most fun!
After careful observation, the kids could see what parts of their ship needed modification.
Also, you’ll love the hands-on ideas from Home School in the Woods.
Helpful Hints
- To build the hull, use popsicle sticks and hot glue. Make the bow tall enough so water won’t submerge and sink the ship. The bow and stern should be the same height since Viking designed their ships to travel either way.
- For the keel, use more popsicle sticks to create and place on the underside of the hull. This should run from bow to stern. The keel counteracts the side to side motion of the ship. Test in water before proceeding.
- Use a straw and card stock to build a sail and mast. Use modeling clay to attach the mast to the hull.
- Add ballast if the ship needs more weight. Small amounts of modeling clay works well.
- Keep modifying! Use a hair dryer to test your ship during a storm. A rudder may be needed to keep the ship on course.
Look at these other awesome hands-on ideas for studying Ancient Civilizations:
I was wondering what you would suggest as a substitute for hot glue. We cannot use it in the classrooms and I would love to include this challenge in a summer camp unit
Hi Christina,
Well, I guess I’ve not used anything else..I do know they have tons of options on online on Amazon but not sure what your school would allow…I think a fabric glue is strong too I know I’ve used that in the past..