On an island, the first thing you're going to want to construct is a boat. To create a small, floatable boat, you're going to need a small plastic container, a straight stick (to serve as the mast) and a thin sheet for the sail. Let the kids decorate the boat prior to constructing it and then allow them to glue the mast onto the plastic container and then attach the small, cut-out sheet to the mast, either with glue or tape.
Now that you have a boat, ideally you’d like to have a map or chart that tells you where you are. You can provide the kids pens and pieces of paper to draw their maps. They can use colorful beads or colored sand instead of just painting their maps. Provide them paste to hold their colored materials in place. You can also supply real maps from atlases to give them ideas, including map compasses and legends.
Food will be critical and an island may include many types of animals. Let the kids choose their favorite animals to be included on the island. A paper mache project can be an ideal method for creating the animals. Teach them how to make simple paper mache. Provide the kids cardboard and old newspapers to be used as the base and pulp. Give them masking tape and paste to shape their animals. Finally, provide them coloring tools, such as colored pens, textile paint or crayons for their finishing touches. Make sure to work collaboratively when actually creating the paper mache as it can be a difficult process.
If you’re on the deserted island for the long haul, you’re going to need to settle in. On a piece of posterboard, have the kids make a list of everything they'll need. Start with essentials that the body requires such as water. Then move on to food. Discuss crops while having the kids cutout and draw various crops that can be grown. Shelter is also critical on a deserted island. Discuss various types of shelters and shelter materials, from mudbricks to dwellings made of various types of wood, such as bamboo. Have the kids draw their preferred home.