Children are fascinated by different parts of the Earth… but few biomes are as universally loved by children as our oceans. Oceans are deep and mysterious and full of amazing life, from the graceful to the terrifying. Just the very idea that we’re surrounded by a world below us which we can still only barely begin to explore is enough to spark the imagination!
Kids love undersea exploration, and it’s a perfect gateway to talking about the importance of the Earth’s oceans and the many threats they face. For those looking to engage young minds and dive into a curricula that explores the depths of the deep blue sea, Nature Watch offers many ocean crafts and activities for kids that can bridge the gap from fascination to fact.
Top Ocean Crafts for Kids:
The Bounties of The Ocean
There’s a lot to be said about how we can use the bounties of the sea to educate our children. For instance, a Shell Instrument Activity kit appeals to the senses with touch and sound. You can use this kit to focus on how Native American tribes would construct musical instruments from shells while encouraging children to make their own music. You can carry on that theme with our Tide Pool Windchime kit as well, which doubles as a nice takeaway once the ocean craft activity is complete.
Ocean In A Box, a collection of bagged specimens including shells, corals, and sponges, is an ideal ocean craft for kids to introduce younger students to the sea. Or, purchase seashells by the pound for DIY projects that promote education through creation.
Identifying Marine Life
Depending on your kids’ interests, there are all kinds of ways they could learn about underwater life. A large 24″x36″ fish poster, with dozens of species listed, can help with the identification of sea creatures. Or, a Common Seashell Families display that can be used to differentiate between shells. More advanced students might appreciate the Peterson First Guide To Fishes of North America, or the National Audubon Society Fishes Field Guide. For quizzing and retention, the Life In The Ocean card game makes for a fun collaborative ocean craft for kids.
Teaching About Pollution
Most kids have a really intuitive grasp of why pollution is bad, so it’s not difficult to reinforce. However, reinforcement alone isn’t enough. That’s where conservation comes into play – quite literally! We have some great science kits to dig into the topic, including our new Ocean Trash Can kit. As the name suggests, it dives deep into the problem of ocean pollution and starts kids on the way to being proactive conservationists. A great companion piece is Oil Spill Junior, an ocean craft kit focusing on how difficult it is to clean up oil spills and a perfect segway to keeping our oceans free from pollutants.
Nature Watch: Top Online Store for Ocean Crafts for Kids
Nature Watch is dedicated to helping you teach children about preservation, conservation, and the importance of our eco-system. Encourage children of all ages to get in touch with their natural surroundings through activities and rainforest crafts that foster a love of the outdoors and environmental sciences. Trust Nature Watch to provide the most engaging crafts and accessories, including ocean crafts for kids, for experiential learning.
