How do squid swim? Giant squid, colossal squid, Humboldt squid, or even the common squid—let’s take a look at these fascinating ocean creatures. Squids have a long bodies, large eyes, arms, and tentacles, but how do they swim or move around? Explore how squid move through the water with this fun squid locomotion activity for kids. We love ocean science activities!
It’s Locomotion!
Get ready to check out how a squid or, similarly, an octopus moves for your next ocean activity this season! Take it to the bathtub, sink, or larger bin to explore how the siphon helps a squid move through the water. If you want to learn more about how squids move, let’s get started. While you’re at it, make sure to check out these other fun ocean activities.
Our science activities and experiments are designed with you, the parent or teacher, in mind! Easy to set up and quick to do, most activities will take only 15 to 30 minutes to complete and are fun! Plus, our supplies lists usually contain only free or cheap materials you can source from home!
FREE Printable Ocean Activities Guide!
Squid Locomotion Activity
Let’s look at how squid and octopus move around in the ocean! Have you ever seen a real octopus or squid move? It’s pretty cool! I hope to spot a squid in Maine this summer while my son is at his marine biology summer camp.
Supplies:
- Balloons
- Dish soap top
- Water
- Sharpie (optional)
Squid Locomotion Set Up:
STEP 1: Carefully place the water balloon’s open end over the faucet and fill it halfway.
STEP 2: Have a second person pinch the balloon top so the water stays in and carefully place the open end of the water balloon over the bottom side of the dish soap top.
STEP 3: Draw on the balloon to make it look like a squid (optional as the marker might come off in the tub).
STEP 4: Parental supervision: Add a couple of inches of water to your tub, place the balloon in the tub and open the top of the dish soap top to watch the squid balloon move. Record or discuss your observations.
Classroom Tips
TIP 1. You may need to use a long, large, shallow, storage bin to really get a good idea of how this works in the classroom. An under the bed storage container should work just fine!
TIP 2. See if parents have dish soap container tops they can send so you have enough for a few squids!
TIP 3. This squid locomotion activity is perfect to pair with our How Do Sharks Float and How Do Whales Stay Warm demonstrations!
How Do Squid Swim?
Both squid and octopus use jet propulsion to move around in the ocean. They do this by using a siphon, which is a way of carrying water from one area to another through a tube.
Squid Siphon!
It’s a unique tube-like structure located on the underside of a squid’s body. When a squid wants to move quickly through the water, it shoots water from its siphon, creating powerful jet propulsion that propels the squid forward at impressive speeds.
Both creatures have a siphon that acts as a funnel. They take water into a hole in their body called the mantle and then get rid of it through this funnel to move! The siphon also helps them get rid of waste and respiration.
This ability to use jet propulsion is one-way squid can escape predators. It also means squid can move fast in open water and easily change direction. They can even tighten their bodies to become more streamlined and move faster.
In our balloon squid activity, the dish soap top acts like a siphon to push water out, moving the balloon around in the water!
Watch a video here to see how these creatures work (Jonathon Bird’s Blue World YouTube).
Learn More About Ocean Animals
- Glow In The Dark Jellyfish Craft
- How Do Fish Breathe?
- Salt Dough Starfish
- Fun Facts About Narwhals
- LEGO Sharks for Shark Week
- How Do Sharks Float?
- How Do Whales Keep Warm?
Printable Ocean STEM Project Pack
Perfect for kids in Kindergarten through Upper Elementary School! Grab this Ocean printable project pack and read the reviews!
- 10+ Ocean theme science activities with journal pages, supply lists, set up and process, and science information. Easy to set up, fun, and fit into your available time, even if it’s limited!
- 10+ Printable Ocean STEM challenges that are simple but engaging for home or classroom.
- Engaging Ocean theme activities include a tide pool pack, oil spill pack, marine food chain pack, and more!
- Ocean Theme STEM Story and challenges perfect for going on a STEM adventure in the classroom!
- Learn about Jacques Cousteau with a workbook activity
- Explore the ocean layers and create an ocean layer jar!
- Ocean Extras include I-Spy pages, bingo games, coloring sheets, and more for early finishers!
- BONUS: Ocean Science Camp Week Pullout (note some duplicate activities but organized for convenience)
- BONUS: Ocean STEM Challenge Calendar Pullout (note some duplicate activities but organized for convenience)
