Whether planning a visit to the beach or setting up an ocean-themed classroom, these ocean activities for kids are a fun and easy way to explore ocean science, STEM, and art through hands-on play. Learn about ocean animals, waves, currents, marine habitats, and more with simple ocean activities designed for preschool, kindergarten, and elementary-aged kids.
💡 NOTE: You do not need to live near the ocean to enjoy these ocean theme activities! These ideas are perfect for classrooms, homeschool, summer camp, or easy summer learning at home.
From ocean science experiments and STEM challenges to art projects, these activities encourage kids to explore, create, test, build, and discover. Kids can investigate ocean ecosystems, learn about sea animals, and explore how the ocean works through hands-on activities and simple supplies.
👉 Ocean theme activities also pair perfectly with Earth science and Earth Day activities. Help kids learn why oceans are important and how we can protect ocean habitats and marine life.
There are so many fun ocean activities to try below for hands-on learning and creative play!
Ocean Science Activities
We have divided these fun and easy ocean activities into 3 groups for you: ocean science topics, ocean building activities (learn about sea animals), and ocean crafts. Click the titles below to view the full supply list and step-by-step instructions for each ocean activity.
Enjoy ocean experiments that introduce kids to coastal erosion, ocean acidification, buoyancy, and more!
Beach Erosion Lab
Explore what happens to the coastline when a big storm rolls through. Set up a coastal erosion activity to demonstrate its effects.
How Do Fish Breathe Underwater?
Fish are fun to look at in an aquarium or to try to catch in a lake, but did you know that fish breathe too? Learn more about how fish breathe with this simple model to teach kids how fish gills work.
How Does a Shark Float?
Or why is it that sharks don’t sink in the ocean? Learn about how these great fish coast around through the ocean with this simple ocean science activity.
👉 Check out more awesome shark week activities here.
How Do Squid Swim?
Explore how squid swim or move through the ocean with this fun squid locomotion activity. Learn more about these fascinating sea creatures!
How Do Whales Stay Warm?
The ocean can be a chilly place, but there are many mammals who call it home! How do some of our favorite mammals live in such cold conditions? It is to do with something called blubber. Test out how blubber works as an insulator with this blubber experiment.
Layers Of The Ocean
Just like the layers of the earth, the ocean is also made up of layers or ocean zones. Explore the layers of the ocean with this cool liquid density experiment.
What are Ocean Currents?
Learn about ocean currents with a few simple ingredients you can grab from the kitchen. Make this simple ocean currents model and discover what things cause the movement of water in the ocean.
Can You Map the Ocean Floor?
What does the ocean floor look like? Be inspired by scientist and map builder, Marie Tharp and make your own relief map of the world. Represent the topography or physical features on land and on the ocean floor with easy DIY shaving cream paint.
Ocean Waves In A Bottle
Create an ocean wave bottle as a fun way to demonstrate a little bit about how waves work. Combine learning about the ocean with a visually appealing sensory bottle for fun and playful learning for kids.
Oil Spill Experiment
Explore what things clean up oil and what doesn’t with this easy ocean science experiment. Get kids thinking about why it’s important to keep our oceans clean!
Iceberg Density Experiment
Many think icebergs are completely above water, they are mostly submerged! Explore what happens to ice cubes in different concentrations of saltwater, like icebergs.
Seashells In Vinegar Experiment
Find out what happens to shells when you add them to vinegar. Learn what seashells are made of and why we need to protect our oceans from ocean acidification!
Ocean Building Activities
Build A LEGO Shark
Even if you are not interested in the official Shark Week, these cool ocean fish have always amazed adults and kids! Check out how to build your own LEGO sharks and grab a free activity pack.
Build Sea Animals and Make a Minifig Habitat
Check out our ocean animal and sea creature ideas, and then make a whale, octopus, and crab. Don’t worry if you don’t have exactly the right colors, have fun! It also includes free printable ocean LEGO challenges!
Build A Narwhal
Learn about the amazing unicorns of the sea, Narwhals with these fun and easy STEM activities. Plus, we share with you fun facts we’ve discovered about Narwhals.
Ocean Crafts and Art Projects
👉 You can find more ocean craft ideas here!
Printable Ocean Animals Craft
Make these cute, printable ocean animal crafts using split pins or brads! They move!
Shark Newspaper Craft
Create this easy shark paper craft to celebrate Shark Week or add to your ocean theme! Learn about these fascinating ocean creatures with a fun ocean theme art project!
Narwhal Collage Craft
Learn fun facts about Narwhals and create a fantastic Narwhal collage craft with more background ideas to choose from.
3D Ocean Paper Craft
This 3D ocean craft is a terrific way to explore how dimensional images can be created. Take your two dimensional ocean activities up a notch with our free printable 3D under the sea template.
Coral Reef Art
Create a textured painting inspired by coral reefs using simple materials like sponges, bubble wrap, and watercolors. Printable coral reef template included!
Fish Painting
This fun and easy ocean craft will sure to be a hit with your kids. Paint fish inspired by famous artist Jackson Pollock and his style of ‘action painting’ and abstract art! Free printable included!
Glowing Jellyfish Craft
Make a fun DIY jellyfish that will glow in the dark, similar to jellyfish in the ocean. Learn fun facts about jellyfish and how they aren’t fish.
Black Glue Jellyfish Art
Black glue art with a watercolor background for an awesome ocean craft and STEAM project!
Ocean Salt Painting
The perfect ocean background for art projects! Combine a popular kitchen ingredient, salt and a bit of physics for cool art and science that everyone will love!
Salt Dough Starfish
Make your own starfish or sea stars with our simple salt dough recipe. Learn about these amazing sea creatures while modeling out your own to keep.
Printable Ocean Activities Pack
If you want to have all of your printable ocean activities in one convenient place, plus exclusive worksheets with an ocean theme, our 100+ page Ocean STEM Project Pack is what you need!
Check out The Complete Ocean Science and STEM Pack in our SHOP!
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