Ancient Viking Ships
As we’ve begun our history lessons this year, Exploration through the Revolutionary War, 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.
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!
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:
