50 Ocean Themed Activities For Preschoolers

Ocean animals are fascinating creatures.

They live in water, breathe, eat food, sleep, play, mate, and even give birth underwater.

In addition to their amazing adaptations, they also have some unique characteristics.

For example, dolphins are known for their intelligence, whales are known for their singing abilities, and sea turtles are known for their ability to survive in saltwater.

It can be very fun and interesting for children to learn about the ocean.

So, in this article, we have listed 50 ocean-themed activities for preschoolers.

These fun activities include learning about marine life, playing games, and creating crafts.

The activities are designed to encourage children to explore the ocean and discover its wonders.

Here is a list of 50 activities that you can do with your preschooler or kindergartener to help them understand more about the ocean.

So, let’s get into it.

1. Sea Animal Rescue

This activity will teach your child how to identify different types of fish, crabs, and other sea creatures.

On a sunny summer day, this exercise would be fantastic.

Simply freeze plastic sea creatures in a muffin tray, then allow your preschooler to dissolve the ice with salt and a little water.

Freezing plastic sea creatures in a tin and letting kids melt them with salt and water makes for some hilarious pictures.

2. The Rainbow Fish Story Time Activities

One of the most well-known children’s books of all time is The Rainbow Fish.

Spend some time with your youngster reading this book and asking them questions about it.

You can make your own rainbow fish with the kids using paints, pens, and other bright materials even if you don’t have the book at home.

3. Ocean Slime for Under The Sea Fun!

What preschooler doesn’t love playing with slime? It’s super fun, and so easy to make at home.

Make your own slime at home, mixing in some blue food coloring, plastic sea creatures, and other objects to recreate the ocean.

Then, have fun with it!

4. Easy & Fun Handprint Crab Craft

This handprint crab is adorable and simple to make.

It’s always a lot of fun to paint and create colors with our hands, and the best part is that you can retain the artwork for years.

You can add some variety to the creation by using different colors of paper, stickers, and other materials.

5. Paper Plate Jellyfish Craft

With this jellyfish project, your child may express themselves in a creative way.

It’s a lot of fun for everyone involved, and you can let your kids go with different colors and supplies to make their own art.

6. 2 Material Ocean Sensory Bin

Preschoolers will get hands-on with this exciting activity and learn more about the ocean while having a good time!

Plastic marine critters and water beads are all you’ll need.

Your preschooler can distinguish between the sharks and the fish, and answer other ocean-related questions.

7. Paper Plate Tropical Fish

Paper plates are always handy when it comes to making art with your kids.

Make some colorful tropical fish with various colored paints and stickers.

The plus side is that your kids can be as imaginative as they want with their fishy creations.

8. Ocean Sensory Bath

To make ‘seaweed,’ take some noodles that have been dyed various colors of blue and green, as well as a few toy marine critters.

Discuss with your child the various types of flora that may be found in the sea, as well as the various aquatic species that make their homes there.

This ocean-themed project is sure to be a success with the kids.

9. Salt And Ice Challenge

This exercise incorporates both art and science to teach your children about the ocean: more specifically, about water itself.

This experiment will teach children how salt aids in the melting of ice, and why this occurs.

10. Lifelike ‘Jellyfish In A Bottle’ Science Experiment

Using a plastic bag, plastic bottle, some string, and some food coloring, you can create your very own jellyfish in a bottle!

Making this jellyfish experiment with your preschooler will be a lot of fun.

This exercise is an excellent way to demonstrate how a jellyfish travels, and to explain the many elements of the jellyfish.

11. Paper Plate Painting Pufferfish

Pufferfish are quite cool, and they’re a lot of fun to construct at home with paper plates and other materials.

These fish are quite fascinating, and learning about them is a great way to pass the time.

This puffer fish paper plate project is a terrific way to start a conversation about puffer fish. 

12. Ocean Themed Yoga

Yoga is a fantastic method to get your kids up and moving while simultaneously teaching them how to care for their own bodies.

This exercise is ideal for getting your children to stretch, move, and have fun while learning about different ocean species.

13. Ocean Play Dough Surprise Game

Play dough is a fantastic tool to help youngsters develop and strengthen their hand muscles, while also allowing them to create and explore.

Merely mix some plastic marine creatures into the colored play dough, and roll them in.

Chat about the animal your preschooler discovered and what things they know about it.

This will make it easier for them to recall in the future!

14. Glow In The Dark Jellyfish Craft

This marine activity is a fun way to introduce kids to bioluminescent organisms, such as jellyfish.

Plus, what kid doesn’t like glow-in-the-dark objects?

They can keep the final product in their room and gaze at it before going to bed.

15. How Arctic Animals Stay Warm In Icy Water

The ocean may be a bitterly cold environment, and while it is far too cold for humans to survive, it is home to a variety of water creatures.

This project will teach toddlers about the coolest area of the ocean, as well as how the animals who dwell there survive and stay warm.

16. Ocean Process Art Project

If your youngster enjoys getting their hands dirty with paint, this is an activity you should try.

Coloring with q-tips is a terrific way to assist a preschooler improve their grasp on smaller objects while also showing them how to make different shapes and textures.

17. Ocean Zones Upcycled Craft Activity

Here’s another fun method to teach your kids about the different types of water zones.

This project will teach children about where certain animal species spend the most of their life, as well as how they live, what they consume, and much more.

18. Tide Pool Science Experiment For Kids

With this exciting ocean-themed game, your preschooler can learn all about tide pools.

Your kids will make their own tiny tide pool and then fill it with water to see what occurs at low and high tide.

19. Bright And Colorful Sensory Ocean Bags

This fascinating ocean-themed game is sure to delight your preschooler.

These squishy bags are easy to make and will provide hours of entertainment.

Tape the sensory bags to the window to allow light to shine through, resulting in a rainbow of colors and lights for your youngster to enjoy.

20. Octopus Handprint Craft

Handprint crafts are wonderful souvenirs for you to retain and enjoy in the future as a parent.

It’s also fantastic for your children to see their own artwork and realise what their hands are capable of when they become creative!

Use your hands to make an octopus print.

21. Are Sounds Louder Underwater?

Is sound louder underwater? This is a question you may or may not have considered in the past.

This is an excellent game for teaching toddlers about underwater sound and how animals communicate using high-pitched sounds (as well as if we, as humans, can do the same!).

22. Mini Aquarium In A Bottle

You and your preschooler can make your own DIY aquarium with this tutorial! Isn’t that exciting?

Engage your child in sensory play and have them identify all the different aquatic species they can observe. 

23. Rescue The Sea Creatures

Your child can be a hero who saves the day by rescuing all the aquatic creatures!

Let the fun begin by wrapping different colored pipes and elastic bands around sea critters.

This is a fun game that will also teach your child about what happens when there is too much trash in the ocean and how we can protect our sea life.

24. Shark Fin Hat Craft

Do you have a little one who won’t stop singing that ‘Baby Shark’ song? Well, they will absolutely love this shark fin hat!

You can either make it for them if they are too young, or they can craft their very own shark fin hat. 

25. Fine Motor Jellyfish Craft For Kids

Make this simple jellyfish activity with household things such as paper clips, buttons, and other small objects.

However, you will need to keep a watch on your child while they’re handling these small, easy-to-swallow objects. 

26. Fine Motor Fish Collage

This delightful fine motor fish collage can help your preschooler improve their fine motor skills.

Make this bright collage with little beads, buttons, and cereal pieces, but once again, keep in mind that these small things can pose a choking hazard to children.

27. Paper Plate Seahorse

Seahorses are one of the most intriguing sea species, and they’re a lot of fun to make using art supplies.

This seahorse made out of paper plates is adorable, and your kids will enjoy learning about these fascinating creatures.  

28. Ocean Song

Do you have a child that enjoys singing and dancing to new songs?

Introduce this ocean-themed song to your preschooler by singing the lines to the tune of ‘Take me out to the ball game.’

Singing and dancing are always a blast!

29. Fine Motor Ocean Themed Sorting And Threading

This is a fantastic activity for improving your toddler’s fine motor skills.

Get your preschooler to add different creatures to the pipe cleaner in a pattern, whether it’s by color, shape, or any other pattern during this exercise!

30. Ocean Themed Coloring Page

Do you have a child who enjoys coloring?

These printable sheets are a terrific method to educate your child how to design pictures with different colors and how to color nicely between the lines.

After your child is finished, trim the drawings and hang them in their rooms for an under-the-sea art show.

31. Hide And Seek In The Ocean

This activity is simple and enjoyable for your child: all he or she has to do is locate the things at the top of the page.

Print out this hide and seek worksheet and give it to your child with instructions on how to complete it.

This project will aid in the development of your preschooler’s detective skills.

32. Float And Sink

Does it sink, or does it swim? There’s only one way to find out!

This exercise is a great method for preschoolers to learn about density and whether an object will sink or float.

Make a list of everything that floats or sinks as you go along, so that you don’t forget!

33. Ocean Jell-O Dig

If there are two things toddlers enjoy, it’s getting messy, and sticking their hands in some slime and jell-o!

All you have to do for this project is mix some ocean-themed accessories with blue jello.

As a consequence, you’ll have your very own fun sensory activity that will bring plenty of chuckles and enjoyment.

34. World Ocean Day Cutting Practice

Cutting is a vital skill for toddlers to learn, and it can be made even more enjoyable with the help of a child-friendly pair of scissors and this worksheet!

This fish-themed cutting practice worksheet will have your child marvelling at the ocean environment.

35. Suncatcher Jellyfish Kids Craft

Suncatchers are a lot of fun to build, and even cooler to look at.

Make your own jellyfish suncatcher by following these instructions!

If you make this suncatcher jellyfish project, your preschooler will enjoy seeing their work hanging up in the window for all to see.

36. Chocolate Shark Bark Candy

If your children are shark fans, they will enjoy preparing this delectable chocolate bark.

This shark bark is simple to make, and your preschooler will enjoy assisting.

To make this scrumptious delicacy, you’ll need jelly shark candy, blue food coloring, and a lot of chocolate.

37. Preschool Beach Printables And Activities

Here are some more fantastically fun printable sheets for your toddler to enjoy coloring!

Grab some colored pens and pencils, and any other craft materials you like, to create your own beach pictures.

38. Ocean Soap Foam Sensory Bin

With this wonderful ocean soap foam sensory container, it’s time to set your preschooler loose!

They’ll have a blast dipping their hands into this foamy, gooey, creamy concoction.

This is an exercise that is best done outside and is ideal for the summer, but if you decide to do it indoors, prepare to clean up some mess afterwards!

39. Handprint Fish

Clown fish were made popular during the release of the 2004 Pixar animated feature, Finding Nemo.

Since then, kids all over the world love the bright orange fishies!

You and your child can have fun painting your hands orange and white to create your own handprint Nemos at home.

40. Shark Bait Ocean Party Popcorn Mix

Popcorn is the perfect snack for any occasion, and it tastes even better when mixed with other types of candy.

Using this recipe, create your very own ‘shark bait’ popcorn for your next ocean themed party… or, whenever you feel a craving for some!

41. Ocean Animal Movements

There are so many kinds of critters in the ocean, but do you know how each of them move?

Does your toddler know how these animals move?

Use this activity to teach your child how each critter moves, encouraging them to copy the movements.

You can even use these movements to create your very own ocean dances!

42. Cardboard Tube Fish

Do you have some spare toilet paper rolls lying around, waiting to get thrown in the trash?

Stop! Use them to create some super cool fish crafts instead, using paint and other materials to color them in.

Your toddler will have so much fun designing their own fish critters.

43. Cucumber Boat Shaped Snack

Yes, more snacks to make!

If you’re feeling hungry for a healthy, nutritious snack, look no further than this super yummy boat-shaped cucumber sculpture.

Fill it up with ranch dressing, cheese, veggies, and any other foods you want to use!

44. Beach Themed Pudding Cups

These beach-themed pudding cups are great for any occasion, but they’re especially entertaining on hot summer days in the garden.

To make an ocean, tint the pudding blue with food coloring and then add your other favorite treats to make a beach.

45. Ocean Theme Turtle Snack

Turtles totally rock, dude! Especially when they are edible, made up of fruit and pancakes.

With your preschooler, make an ocean-themed turtle snack and get creative with the toppings.

46. Clothespin Shark

If your preschooler likes sharks, this amusing clothespin shark art activity will be a hit.

You can make smaller and larger sharks using different sizes of clothespins, as well as other aquatic creatures with varied colors and materials!

Get creative with this idea.

47. Paper Plate Seashell Craft

If you have any leftover paper plates from the previous projects, this paper plate scallop craft is ideal.

Cut them up, fold them in half, and paint them with your favorite vivid color.

Just be careful that they don’t bite on your fingers!

48. Seashell Alphabet Sensory Bin

Is your toddler learning the alphabet right now?

Well, make the process more fun by creating your very own seashell alphabet sensory bin. Get digging!

49. Homemade Gluten-Free + Vegan Goldfish

Who doesn’t love goldfish crackers?

With this recipe, you can create your own at home – better yet, they are gluten-free and vegan, so everybody can enjoy them!

Get baking in your own kitchen with the help of your own pre-schooler.

50. Whale Craft For Kids

Last but not least, we have some more printable templates for your child to enjoy. This time, they are whale themed!

Teach your toddler about whales, and how big they are in real life. We bet they’ll be super impressed! 

Final Thoughts

The ocean is a super cool place, filled with so many sea critters.

It is such a big place that even scientists don’t know what lives down there altogether!

These activities are great for kids who love learning about the ocean, and all the fish that live inside it.

These games and worksheets are sure to inspire your little ones’ imagination, creativity, and curiosity. 

We hope you enjoyed our list of 50 ocean themed activities for preschoolers.

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