Submarines are truly amazing machines, aren’t they? There is something undeniably magical about a vessel that can slip beneath the waves and explore a world hidden from our daily view.
One of the biggest news stories of 2023 involved the Titan, a submersible created to explore the wreckage of the Titanic. While that specific expedition ended in tragedy, it sparked a global conversation and a renewed curiosity among children and adults alike about vessels that travel underwater. It is fascinating to think that a man-made machine can descend to the crushing depths of the ocean, stay there for months, and keep its crew safe. That is the engineering magic of a submarine!
If you have a little explorer at home who is fascinated by the ocean, machinery, or just loves a good craft project, you have come to the right place. Today, we are combining the wonder of deep-sea exploration with the importance of literacy. We are going to make a Submarine Bookmark Papercraft.
This project is perfect for keeping your place in your favorite adventure novel (perhaps 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea?), and it is surprisingly easy to make. Let’s dive in!
Why Submarines Capture Our Imagination
Before we get the glue sticks out, it is always fun to learn a little bit about what we are building. Submarines are unique because they are the masters of stealth and science. Unlike airplanes that soar above the clouds, submarines conquer the pressure of the deep.
For children, the concept of a “boat that sinks on purpose” is often mind-boggling. This craft provides the perfect opportunity to discuss buoyancy, ocean life, and engineering. Plus, making a bookmark is a great way to encourage reading. When a child makes a tool for their reading time, they are more excited to open a book and use it.
Fascinating Fun Facts about Submarines
Share these cool facts with your kids or students while you are cutting and pasting!
1. They Are Called “Boats,” Not “Ships”
Even though modern submarines are massive—some are longer than two football fields—naval tradition dictates that they are always referred to as “boats.” This dates back to the early days when submarines were small enough to be carried on board larger ships.
2. The First Military Submarine Was Tiny!
The first known military submarine was used way back in 1775 during the American Revolutionary War. It was called the ‘Turtle’. It wasn’t powered by a nuclear reactor or a diesel engine; it was hand-powered by one person turning a crank!
3. They Can Stay Under for Months
Modern nuclear-powered submarines can stay underwater for months at a time. They produce their own oxygen and fresh water. The only limit to how long they can stay submerged is usually how much food they can carry for the crew!
4. Who Has the Most?
The United States and Russia are the two countries with the largest submarine fleets in the world. However, many nations use them for marine research, salvage missions, and protecting their coastlines.
5. They Are Expensive!
The more you think about it, the more incredible it seems to build a waterproof home for 100 people. They are quite expensive to build, too, with an average submarine costing anywhere from $80 million to $2 billion!
Luckily, today’s submarine is a pretty easy and economical one to make. All you need is craft paper, craft sticks, and a little creativity!
Supplies You Will Need
To create your fleet of submarine bookmarks, you don’t need a billion-dollar budget. You likely have most of these items in your craft drawer already.
- Colored Craft Paper or Cardstock: Yellow is a classic choice (thanks to the Beatles!), but let your imagination run wild. Blue, orange, or even metallic grey work well.
- Popsicle Sticks (Jumbo or Standard): These will act as the sturdy spine of the bookmark.
- Scissors: Safety scissors for younger kids.
- Craft Glue or Glue Stick: A glue stick is less messy for paper, but white glue works better for sticking paper to the wood stick.
- Black Marker: For drawing details like rivets and outlines.
- A Pencil: For tracing shapes.
- Optional: Googly eyes (if you want to give your sub a personality).
Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make a Submarine Bookmark
Follow these simple steps to build your underwater vessel. This activity helps fine-tune motor skills and encourages following instructions.
Step 1: Create the Main Hull
Start by choosing the main color for your submarine. Draw an oblong oval shape on your cardstock. It should look a bit like a cigar or a stretched-out egg. This will be the main body (hull) of the submarine.
- Tip: Make sure the hull is wide enough to cover the top of your popsicle stick but not so heavy that it flops over. Cut this shape out.
Step 2: The Conning Tower (The Top Part)
Every submarine needs a tower on top where the periscope lives. Cut a smaller square or rectangle from a different color paper (or the same color). Round off the top edges if you like. Glue this piece to the top center of your main hull.
Step 3: The Periscope
A submarine isn’t a submarine without a periscope to peek above the water! Cut a small “L” shape or a thin strip with a rectangle on top. Glue this to the top of your Conning Tower.
- Creative twist: You can use a small piece of a pipe cleaner for the periscope to give it some texture.
Step 4: The Propeller
How will your sub move? It needs a propeller at the back. Cut a small bow-tie shape or two teardrop shapes to act as the blades. Glue these to the very back (the “stern”) of your submarine hull.
Step 5: Portholes (Windows)
Submarines usually have small, round reinforced windows called portholes. Cut out 2 or 3 small circles from white or light blue paper. Glue them in a horizontal line across the main hull.
- Detailing: Use your black marker to outline the portholes to make them pop. You can even draw tiny people inside waving out!
Step 6: Assemble the Bookmark
Take your popsicle stick. Apply a generous amount of glue to the top one-third of the stick. Press your assembled paper submarine firmly onto the glue.
- Important: Leave enough of the stick sticking out the bottom so it can slide securely into a book page.
Step 7: Final Details
Once the glue is dry, use your black marker to add details. You can draw lines to show metal plating, add bolts or rivets, or write the name of your submarine on the side (e.g., The USS Reader).
Educational Extension: Learning Through Craft
Now that you have made your bookmark, don’t let the learning stop there. Here are three ways to use this craft to boost education:
1. The Buoyancy Experiment Fill a bowl with water. Gather different household items (a coin, a plastic lid, a grape, a sponge). Ask your child to guess which will sink and which will float. Explain that submarines can do both by filling special tanks with water to get heavy (sink) and pumping air in to get light (float).
2. Ocean Layers Lesson While using the bookmark, talk about the layers of the ocean.
- Sunlight Zone: Where we swim and most fish live.
- Twilight Zone: It gets darker and colder.
- Midnight Zone: Pitch black! Submarines explore these deep areas where sunlight can’t reach.
3. Reading List Use the new bookmark to start a new book. Here are a few ocean-themed recommendations for kids:
- The Magic School Bus on the Ocean Floor by Joanna Cole.
- Shark Lady by Jess Keating.
- Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau by Jennifer Berne.
Conclusion
Creating a Submarine Bookmark is a fantastic way to spend a rainy afternoon. It combines creativity with engineering concepts and results in a practical item that encourages reading.
Whether you make a classic yellow submarine or a futuristic silver explorer, this craft helps children appreciate the incredible technology that allows humans to explore the deep blue sea. So, gather your supplies, clear the kitchen table, and get ready to dive into a world of imagination.
Happy crafting and happy reading!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I use foam sheets instead of paper? Absolutely! Craft foam sheets work wonderfully for this project. They are durable and water-resistant, making the bookmark last longer. You might need strong craft glue or a low-temp glue gun (with adult supervision) if using foam.
2. What is the best age range for this craft? This craft is suitable for children aged 3 and up. Toddlers will need help cutting the shapes, but they can do the gluing and coloring. Elementary-aged kids (6-10) can usually complete the entire project independently and enjoy adding intricate details.
3. How can I make the bookmark sturdy? If you are using regular paper, you might find it a bit flimsy. To make it sturdier, glue your paper shapes onto a piece of thin cardboard (like an empty cereal box) before cutting them out. Alternatively, laminating the paper submarine before gluing it to the stick will make it waterproof and very durable.
