I am giving you step-by-step instructions for how to build a Viking ship for kids who love history. Also, I have this Vikings Lapbook Unit Study and Hands-on Activities.
When it comes to teaching kids about history, hands-on activities always make a lesson fun and memorable. One of the most exciting ways to dive into the Viking Age is by building a Viking ship project.
The Vikings were expert seafarers who used longships to carry them across the seas for trade, exploration, and sometimes raids.
By constructing their own mini Viking ship, kids not only gain crafting skills but also get to immerse themselves in a fascinating part of history.
Here we are exploring the parts of a Viking ship, step-by-step project ideas, and even resources and creative activities to bring the Viking world alive for your child.
By combining fun crafts with fascinating facts, you can turn a history lesson into a memorable adventure. Kids will remember the thrill of designing and building their own Viking ships long after the glue has dried.
BOOKS ABOUT VIKINGS FOR KIDS
12 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.
"Beware of Vikings!" warns Morgan. Then Jack and Annie are whisked back to ancient Ireland. They land on a cliff on a misty island. How will they find the story they are looking for? It will take a Viking invasion, the help of a jolly monk, and a lot of courage for Jack and Annie to succeed in Viking Ships at Sunrise.
With oars in the water and sails in the wind, your kids will be ready to set off on their own voyage of discovery—just like the Vikings did over a thousand years ago.
5 FACTS ABOUT VIKING SHIPS
Let’s learn a few facts first.
- Longships were designed for speed- With shallow hulls, they could glide quickly over the water and even travel up rivers.
- They were versatile- Vikings used different types of ships: longships for raiding, knarrs for trade, and smaller boats for fishing and everyday use.
- Dragon heads on the prow – Some ships had carved dragon or serpent heads at the front to scare away enemies and evil spirits.
- Oars and sails- Ships were powered by both oars and large square sails made of wool.
- Traveling far and wide – Viking ships allowed them to sail from Scandinavia all the way to North America, centuries before Columbus.
Next, look at these Viking activities.
VIKING ACTIVITIES TO ADD TO YOUR LESSON
- Viking Shield Craft -Let kids design their own shields using cardboard circles, paint, and foil.
- Rune Writing-Make a Viking Rune Name Sign From Air Dry Clay
- Trollen Wheel– 10 Viking Explorer Project Ideas and Make a Trollen Wheel Viking Braid
- Navigation Challenge- Discuss how Vikings used the sun, stars, and even sunstones to find their way. Try a stargazing activity or a compass lesson.
- STEM and Geography: How to Build an Ancient Viking Ship
- Role-Playing Game- Kids can pretend to be Viking explorers setting out on a voyage. Create a simple storytelling game where they encounter storms, find new lands, or meet traders. Encourage them to use the viking ship they are going to build as part of their story.
- Cooking Viking-Style Food– Make simple Viking-inspired snacks such as flatbread, dried fruit, or roasted nuts to enjoy after shipbuilding.
- The BEST Viking Unit Study for Homeschooled Kids
- The Best Free Viking Lapbook and Hands-on Ideas
- Play Hnefatafl Game- Explore Viking Activities | How To Make A Chess Hnefatafl Game
BUILDING A VIKING SHIP FOR KIDS WHO LOVE HISTORY
You will need:
- Large cardboard boxes
- Craft knives (for adults only)
- Paint and markers
- Wooden dowels or sticks
- Felt or craft foam for sails
First, draw a long, narrow boat shape with raised ends on sturdy cardboard, you can create a dragon head on end if you like to replicate an authentic figurehead.
At the same time, use something small and round to trace your shields.
Cut everything out and repeat with a second side and more shields using the first as a template.
Paint brown and set aside to dry. Flip and paint the other side, then allow to dry.
Once dry, you can use a black marker to give it lines and swirls to resemble wood.
Fold the bottom 1” of the ship on both sides.
Cut out a long 1” or so strip of cardboard and hot glue it in place over the folds to join them together.
Continue with a strip all the way around to give your ship a full frame and help it stand up. Go up as far as the figurehead, hot gluing it in place on both sides.
Cut oar shapes from cardboard and hot glue to skewers or thin popsicle sticks to make oars.
Paint brown and allow to dry.
Poke through the sides of the ship and secure with hot glue on the inside.
Create the red and white sail by gluing strips of white craft foam onto a piece of red craft foam.
Glue a tall wooden skewer or strip of wood in the center of the ship, you can add extra pieces of cardboard to hold it in place.
Once the glue has dried attach the sail with hot glue.
Finally, paint and glue on the row of shields.
