10 DIY Ocean Activities for Kids
Baking Soda Ocean Art(Ages 9-16)
Even if you can't manage a seaside getaway, you can still have some creative beach fun with your own undersea collection sculpted from baking soda dough. Explore adding details and different textures to your creations to bring them to life. Share them as special handmade gifts or display them in your room as summertime keepsakes. What a beautiful summer craft to enjoy!
Jellyfish Craft(Ages 3-8)
Jellyfish are mesmerizing to look at and inspiring too! They inspired us to create this simple jellyfish craft from recycled materials. Once they’ve made their new upcycled jellyfish pal, they can use it for some pretend ocean play.
Watercolor Resist Painting(Ages 3-8)
Let’s get into learning about the awesome variety of sea creature shapes with an art project! Painting with watercolors is a relaxing activity and a gorgeous process to watch unfold. Peeling off the contact paper is great sensory fun too!
Textured Painted Fish(Ages 3-8)
These scaly fish are even more entertaining to make than they are to look at! This nature craft is a playful way to try new art-making techniques and mediums. Get creative with all kinds of unique decorations!
Ocean Sensory Tray(Ages 3-8)
If you’re looking for an ocean activity to try on a warm summer day, this DIY sensory tray is the perfect opportunity to engage with some water play. Your kiddos just might want to play with this set up all afternoon! All you’ll need is a large container, water, food coloring, and sea creature toys.
Wave Machine(Ages 5-16)
Ocean waves are powerful forces of nature. Have you ever wondered how they move? Our Wave Machine project is an entertaining backyard science project that lets you experiment with physics and learn about the motion in the ocean.
Shark Binoculars by Pink Stripey Socks(Ages 3-8)
Let’s go explore! These shark binoculars are a super creative way to make use of the cardboard and toilet paper rolls sitting in your recycling bin. Once the binoculars are done, try out a game of I Spy, jump into an imaginary expedition out on the great blue sea, or take them outside to see what they can spot in their own backyard or favorite park.
Here we have a fantastic hands-on learning activity that can be done outdoors or inside. This sensory experiment makes the science of ocean currents tangible and intriguing!
Ocean Zones for Kids by KC Edventures(Ages 5-12)
Learning the different layers of the ocean is key to understanding the ocean’s ecosystem, and this ocean zone project from KC Edventures illustrates the concept beautifully. While you put together the jars, you might want to read or talk about some of the marvelous adaptations marine life have gained to be able to live where they do.
Watch A Live Cam from Monterey Bay Aquarium(Ages 3-16)
Monterey Bay Aquarium and many other aquariums all over the world have live cameras set up where you can experience their amazing exhibits no matter where you are. Some cams even have narrated feedings that you can tune into. If you want to take this activity outdoors, you might try setting up a projector and creating a hangout space with blankets, pillows, and snacks to turn this into a real viewing party!
Does your budding marine biologist want more opportunities to explore the incredibly vast and deeply fascinating ocean? At KiwiCo, we have a handful of activities that focus on ocean science. To get started, check out our Environmental Science: Oil Cleanup crate and our Light-Up Anglerfish Puppet crate too!