These bobbing birds are the centerpiece of a pool party, because participants use them in a swimming race.

Materials

• Thin cardboard
• Marker
• Craft knife or scissors
• Marbles or pebbles

• Empty plastic soda bottle
• Yellow craft foam
• Orange craft foam

Instructions

1. To assemble a brood of waterbirds, first make a template out of thin cardboard by drawing the three shapes shown here to the specified dimensions and then cutting them out. Use the pieces to create a yellow craft foam head and body and an orange craft foam beak for each duck.

2. Cut slits in the foam pieces. Draw on eyes with a black marker. Then fit the beak, the base of the head, and the tail into the corresponding slits.

3. Next, drop a few marbles or pebbles into an empty plastic soda bottle (the weight will help stabilize the bottle once it's in the water). Cap the bottle and slip the foam duck over it.

Tips:

When it's time for the race, have the contestants get all their ducks in a row at the starting line. At the whistle, everyone starts swimming with the aim of being the first to hustle his or her duck -- no hands allowed -- nudging it with their face to the far end of the pool. The victor always wins by a nose!

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