A fun Mayflower craft can make learning about early American history much more meaningful when children create something with their hands.
One fun way to explore the Pilgrim journey is by making a simple model of the ship they sailed on, the Mayflower. This easy craft I have for you uses everyday supplies like an egg carton, skewers, and cardstock to build a small version of the famous ship.
As children work on the craft, it is a great opportunity to talk about the long and difficult voyage the Pilgrims took across the Atlantic Ocean in 1620. Their journey eventually led to the founding of Plymouth Colony, one of the first permanent English settlements in North America.
This simple project helps children visualize the ship and understand the bravery and faith it took for families to leave their homes and travel to a new land.
BOOKS ABOUT THE MAYFLOWER FOR KIDS
You can extend the lesson by discussing what supplies the Pilgrims would have brought, how they survived the voyage, and what life was like once they arrived in the New World.
First, look at these fun books to add to your study.
6 Books About the Mayflower Journey & Early Colonial Life
Grab some of these books and resources. You can use a book as a unit study spine to learn about the journey on the Mayflower.
Featuring a heroine with faith, courage, and a great deal of grit, this acclaimed historical fiction novel portrays the realities faced by three children hoping to find a new home in an unknown land.
Amanda Freebold doesn't know what to do. Her father left three years ago for the new colony of Jamestown in America, thousands of miles away. But now that her mother has died, Amanda is left to take care of her younger brother and sister all alone back in England.
Describes the life of early settlers, including the construction of a home, the clearing of land, folk medicine, candle making, quilting bees, weaving, and wedding parties
Several of the characters in the story—Mary Chilton, Constance Hopkins, and Elizabeth Tilley—were actual passengers on the Mayflower. Mary Chilton was a young girl when she left her home in Holland and traveled to America onboard the Mayflower with her parents. The journey was filled with trials, joys, and some surprises, but when she reached the New World, she experienced a new life, new freedom, and new home.
Runner-up for the National Book Award for Children's Literature in 1969, Constance is a classic of historical young adult fiction, recounting the daily life, hardships, romances, and marriage of a young girl during the early years of the Pilgrim settlement at Plymouth.
At sunup when the cockerel crows, young Sarah Morton's day begins. Come and join her as she goes about her work and play in an early American settlement in the year 1627.There's a fire to build, breakfast to cook, chickens to feed, goats to milk, and letters and scripture to learn. Between the chores, there is her best friend, Elizabeth, with whom she shares her hopes and dreams. But Sarah is worried about her new stepfather. Will she ever earn his love and learn to call him father?
Learn what living conditions were like aboard The Mayflower, what dangers the Pilgrims faced at sea, and much more.
In 1620, a group of Pilgrims left Europe aboard a ship called the Mayflower. They sailed toward North America, hoping to make a new home where they could practice their religion freely. Readers (Ages 7-9) will join Hope and Theodore as their set sail on a 66-day journey across the Atlantic Ocean.
This craft also pairs well with lessons about early American settlements and colonial life.
By combining creativity and history, children gain a deeper understanding of the courage and determination it took for these families to cross the ocean and begin a new life.
FACTS ABOUT THE MAYFLOWER
- The Mayflower sailed in 1620. The ship left England in September 1620 and carried 102 passengers along with a crew of about 30 sailors.
- The voyage took about 66 days. Traveling across the Atlantic Ocean was slow and dangerous. Storms often tossed the ship violently.
- The passengers included Pilgrims and other settlers. Some travelers were religious Separatists seeking freedom to worship. Others were craftsmen, laborers, and families hoping for a new life.
- The ship first aimed for Virginia. The settlers originally planned to land in the Virginia Colony, but strong winds pushed them farther north.
- They arrived near Cape Cod. The Mayflower eventually anchored there in November 1620.
- The Mayflower Compact was written on board. Before leaving the ship, many of the men signed it, promising to create fair laws and work together for the good of the colony.
- The ship was originally a cargo vessel. The Mayflower was normally used to transport goods like wine, cloth, and fish before it carried the Pilgrims.
- Life on the ship was crowded. Passengers lived in a small space below the deck for more than two months.
- Only one baby was born during the voyage. A baby named Oceanus Hopkins was born while the ship was at sea.
- The Mayflower eventually returned to England. After delivering the settlers, the ship sailed back to England in 1621.
LIFE ON THE MAYFLOWER
Life aboard the Mayflower was difficult and uncomfortable for the passengers. The ship was only about 100 feet long, yet more than 100 people lived in the small space below deck during the voyage.
Families slept on simple mattresses or blankets placed on wooden boards. Fresh air and sunlight were limited because most passengers stayed below deck during storms.
Food was simple and often unpleasant by the end of the journey. The Pilgrims ate salted meat, dried peas, biscuits called hardtack, cheese, and sometimes fish.
As the weeks passed, much of the food became damp or spoiled. Clean drinking water was also limited.
Despite the hardships, the passengers relied on their faith and determination as they crossed the Atlantic Ocean in search of a new beginning.
MORE MAYFLOWER CRAFT IDEAS AND COLONIAL LIFE ACTIVITIES
- Moving Mayflower Craft
- Colonial Life After the Mayflower Voyage & Fun and Simple Candle New England Craft
- Mayflower Handprint Craft For Kids [Free Template]
- Fold A Paper Mayflower Ship {Free Printable} | Skip To My Lou
HOW TO MAKE A MAYFLOWER CRAFT
You will need:
- Empty cardboard egg carton
- White cardstock
- Skewers/dowel rods
- Hot glue gun/sticks
- Scissors
- Markers or crayons
Cut off the lid and the closing flap of the egg carton; this will become the hull (body) of your ship.
Encourage your child to paint the egg carton brown inside and out to resemble the wooden ship used by the pilgrims.
Glue 2-3 skewers/dowel rods into the points in the egg carton that are the tallest. These will be the ship’s masts.
Cut 4 sail shapes from cardstock or craft foam; you want something more sturdy than copy paper. You can make simple rectangles or curved sails.
Glue the sails onto the masts with hot glue and hold into place until set.
Give your child markers and reference photos to create the cross of St. George and the Union Jack flags on small cardstock rectangles.
Finally, glue them to the top of the masts.
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