This easy ocean currents activity makes learning about ocean currents tangible for elementary-grade kids. We love simple hands-on ocean science activities here!
How To Set Up Ocean Currents Demo
💡 This ocean currents activity asks the following questions: What are ocean currents, and what causes them?
Grade Recommendation: 3rd-5th Grade
Supplies Needed:
🛑 Adult assistance is necessary for boiling and handling very hot water.
- 9 x 13” clear pan
- Cold water
- Boiling water (or very hot tap water)
- Ice cubes
- Red and blue food coloring
- Rubber or plastic fish
Ocean Current Activity
STEP 1: Fill the container about halfway with cold water and mix in drops of blue food coloring.
STEP 2: Mix in a cup of ice cubes.
STEP 3: Then add your plastic fish to the water if using.
STEP 4: Boil 2 cups of water and mix in red food coloring to make it a dark red.
STEP 5: Slowly pour the red hot water into the cold water and watch the currents form.
FREE Printable Ocean Activities Guide!
What Are Ocean Currents?
An ocean current is a continuous flow of water. Some currents are called surface currents, and some currents flow hundreds of feet below the surface of the water and are called deep ocean currents. Make sure to check out the different layers of the ocean!
What Causes Ocean Currents?
Surface currents are caused by wind. As the wind changes, the current may change as well. The Earth’s rotation can also affect ocean currents. This causes currents to flow clockwise in the northern hemisphere and counterclockwise in the southern hemisphere.
💡TIP: You can have the kids gently blow on the water’s surface like the wind and observe what happens.
Deep ocean currents (what we are exploring here) are caused by several factors, including changes in water temperature (red water), salinity (how salty the water is), and density.
💡What happens if some of the ocean water is very salty and some is not? Do they mix?
Convection currents in the ocean are called Oceanic Currents. Are surface currents and convection currents the same? No, they are not! While surface currents are generally caused by wind, a convection current results from cool water sinking and warm water rising.
The movement that happens when changes in density and water temperature occur produces a current! Convection currents can also be seen in the air and molten rock. Picture a current as a small river running through a large ocean!
More Fun Ocean Activities
- How Do Squid Swim?
- Oil Spill Cleanup Experiment
- Beach Erosion Demonstration
- Ocean Waves In A Bottle
- Layers of the Ocean
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)
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