Ocean Science Camp for Kids | Hands-On Marine Activities

Our Ocean Science Camp for Kids brings the under-the-sea theme right into your home or classroom with exciting science experiments, simple STEAM projects, and creative ocean crafts. Designed for curious kids ages 5–10, this themed week is perfect for exploring marine biology, ocean layers, sea creatures, and coastal science—no beach trip required!

Ocean Theme Summer Camp

Grab your FREE printable Ocean Camp Week below, or download the full instruction pack with bonus activities to make planning even easier.

🔎 Make sure to look through all of our camp theme weeks here! Tip: They work well anytime of the year for instant learning and fun!

What Will Kids Learn with Ocean Science Camp?

Kids will dive into fascinating marine topics while developing real science skills:

Observing cause and effect with seashell dissolving experiments
Learning about marine biomes and the layers of the ocean
Exploring insulation and animal adaptations with the blubber experiment
Understanding coastal erosion and environmental science
Getting creative with bioluminescent jellyfish crafts and salt dough starfish

This week of ocean-themed science and STEAM fun is sure to make a splash! Additionally, explore some bonus suggestions to keep the learning going.

Incorporate a Mini Shark Week:

Host a shark week with various hands-on activities. Shark week generally occurs around the end of July. You can find helpful information, a variety of projects, and free printables in our Shark Week article.

Ocean Science Camp Activities to Try

Below, find some excellent suggestions for ocean activity ideas, or search our entire ocean activities collection for even more fantastic ideas to add to your theme, including more printables and arts and crafts!

💡Grab our newest free printable ocean animals craft pack here!

DISSOLVING SHELLS

Will shells dissolve? Find out in this fun ocean-themed experiment using seashells!

BEACH EROSION

What is beach erosion and why does it matter? Learn all about it, and make your very own hands-on model so kids can see for themselves!

LAYERS OF THE OCEAN

The ocean has many layers, and each one of them are different and important! Learn about the oceans layers by making your very own marine biomes!

HOW DO WHALES STAY WARM?

Learn all about blubber and how it works with this fun project! Kids will get to feel for themselves how whales stay warm in icy waters!

ICY OCEAN MELT

Cool off and learn at the same time with this fun and icy ocean-themed sensory bin! Kids will have a blast melting through the ice to find the ocean treasures inside!

CRYSTAL SHELLS

Turn ordinary shells into crystals by using Borax! Kids will get to watch the shells transform in front of their eyes with this experiment!

GLOWING JELLYFISH

Kids can make their very own glow-in-the-dark Jellyfish with this STEAM craft! Learn all about jellyfish and their bioluminescence with this fun art project!

SALT DOUGH STARFISH

End the week with something kids can take home or keep in their rooms – their very own starfish! These are made from salt dough and turn out so neat!

Click below to get your FREE CAMP THEME ideas page.

Bonus Ocean Camp Ideas

Field Trips or Virtual Tours: Take the children on a field trip to a local aquarium or beach if possible. Alternatively, you can organize virtual tours of aquariums or marine research centers. This allows children to see real-life examples of ocean habitats and aquatic life.

Guest Speakers: Invite speakers such as marine biologists, scuba divers, or conservationists to talk to the children about their work and experiences with the ocean. This can provide valuable insights and inspire the children to learn more about ocean science.

Outdoor Exploration: Organize nature walks or beach clean-ups if you can access outdoor space. This way, children can observe coastal ecosystems and learn about the importance of protecting the ocean environment.

Interactive Games: Incorporate interactive games and quizzes to reinforce learning objectives. You can create ocean-themed bingo cards, scavenger hunts, or trivia quizzes to make learning fun and engaging.

Ocean-themed Snacks: Serve snacks that tie into the ocean theme, such as fish-shaped crackers, blue Jello cups with gummy fish, or fruit kabobs shaped like sea creatures. This adds a fun and creative element to the theme.

Reflective Activities:

At the end of the theme, encourage kids to reflect on what they have learned. You can ask them to create journals or scrapbooks documenting their favorite sea creatures. What do you know about Narwhals or jellyfish?