Submarines are truly amazing machines, aren’t they? They represent the peak of human curiosity—the desire to explore the silent, dark, and mysterious world beneath the waves. While most of us will never ride in one, we can bring a piece of that underwater magic to our favorite books with this Submarine Bookmark Papercraft.
One of the biggest news stories of 2023 involved the Titan submersible, which was designed to explore the wreckage of the Titanic. While that mission was a tragic reminder of the ocean’s power, it also raised global curiosity about how humans travel miles beneath the surface. It is truly incredible that a man-made machine can withstand the crushing pressure of the deep ocean and stay submerged for months at a time!
Fun Facts About Submarines
Before we start crafting, let’s dive into some fascinating facts about these underwater marvels:
- Multi-Purpose Vessels: Submarines aren’t just for the movies! They are used for vital marine research, salvage missions to recover lost items, and military defense.
- The “Turtle” (1775): The first known military submarine was built during the American Revolutionary War. It was called the “Turtle,” made of wood, and could only hold one person!
- Massive Teams: Modern submarines have come a long way since the Turtle. Many are now large enough to hold over 100 people for long-term missions.
- Boat or Ship? While they might look like “underwater ships,” naval tradition dictates that submarines are always called “boats.”
- Global Leaders: The United States and Russia are the two countries that currently operate the most submarines in the world.
- High Price Tag: Building these machines is no small feat. A single modern submarine can cost anywhere from $80 million to over $2 billion!
DIY Submarine Bookmark Tutorial
While a real submarine might cost billions, our version is much more budget-friendly! This craft is simple, fun, and uses basic materials you likely already have at home.
Supplies Needed:
- Craft Paper: Bright yellow (for that “Yellow Submarine” look!), blue, or grey.
- Craft Sticks: One per bookmark.
- Glue Stick: To assemble your parts.
- Scissors: To cut out your shapes.
- Markers: To add portholes, rivets, and a happy captain.
- A Ruler: To help draw straight lines for the periscope.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cut the Submarine Body: Draw a long, pill-shaped oval on your craft paper and cut it out. This is the main body of your “boat.”
- Add the Sail: Cut a small rectangle and glue it to the top center of your oval. In submarine terms, this part is called the “sail” or the “conning tower.”
- The Periscope: Every sub needs to see what’s above the water! Cut a tiny “L” shape from your paper and glue it to the top of the sail.
- Decorate with Portholes: Use a dark marker to draw 3 or 4 circles along the side of the submarine. These are the windows (portholes) that let the crew look out at the fish!
- Attach the Craft Stick: Glue the bottom of your paper submarine to the top of a craft stick.
- Let it Dry: Once the glue is set, you have a perfect bookmark! The craft stick slides between the pages of your book, while the submarine “floats” above the top of the pages.
Why Submarines Float and Sink
How does a heavy metal boat go underwater and then come back up? It’s all about Ballast Tanks.
- To Dive: The submarine opens valves to fill large tanks with seawater. This makes the boat heavier than the water around it, so it sinks.
- To Surface: When it’s time to come up, the crew uses compressed air to blow the water out of the tanks. This makes the submarine lighter, and it pops back up to the surface like a cork!
Conclusion
Whether you are dreaming of finding hidden treasure or studying deep-sea creatures, this submarine bookmark will keep your place in every adventure. It’s a great way to combine a love of science with a love of reading.