This year, shark week starts next Sunday. To prep for the occasion and celebrate summer, I started looking for ocean-themed activities for kids. There are SO many great ones available! I know that if you are looking for crafts or printables for your ocean-themed studies, you have a good chance of finding one on this list.
The best part is that most of the crafts can be done in any language. The printables are in English only until I can find or make some bilingual ones to add.
To further dive into ocean studies with your family, consider checking out my list of 15 Children's Books about the Ocean. It includes Spanish titles, too. And you may enjoy my post on 5 Ways to Explore the Ocean with Young Children.
Ocean-Themed Kids Crafts
For Toddlers
- A Sweet Octopus Craft
Here's an easy toilet paper roll craft for little fingers from Mommy Snippets. Parents can help cut the tentacles, or just draw lines and let their little ones practice their cutting skills. - DIY Fishing Pole and Fish
This craft/activity from Mindy Makes is great for young kids to play with, but probably needs older kids (←YES!) or parents to make it. - Floating Egg Carton Whale
Barley & Birch has an easy tutorial for this crazy cute and clever whale craft! They also have this awesome Clay Sea Slug craft that teaches children about form and color. - Paper Plate Starfish
A simple craft from Taming Little Monsters that is fun for both toddlers and older children. She also has this Octopus Fine Motor Activity made out of felt that is so clever and delightful! - Paper Plate Tropical Fish Craft
Crafts by Amanda has this excellent idea for making paper plate fish. This is such a colorful activity. - Paper Plate Jellyfish Craft
About a Mom has a tutorial for creating these bright and cheerful jellyfish. - Jellyfish Felt Craft
If your little one is really into jellyfish, here's another way to make one from Mommy Made That. - Under the Sea Craft
Here's an activity from Wonder in His World that develops fine motor skills with coloring, cutting, and gluing. - Orange Peels Crab Craft
This is the CUTEST little craft from Little Ladoo. And for this one, you can give your kids permission to play with their food! - 3D Crab Craft For Kids
I think that kids in late elementary will love this 3D crab craft from Simple Everyday Mom.
For Older Children
These crafts may be enjoyed more by children up to 12 years old (and possibly older).
- How To Build A Clay Fish For Kids
If you're looking for a more challenging activity for older children, this tutorial from Crafty Art Ideas is excellent. Especially for young clay lovers. - Ocean Slime Recipe
Aren't scared of a little slime? Then this project from BabySavers is for you! You might also like this little Mason Jar Aquarium if your little one has been begging for a pet fish. - Layers of the Ocean Soap Project
If you have the tools, or are willing to purchase them, this is a really neat educational activity from STEAM Powered Family. You may also enjoy their tutorial for making Ocean Moon Dough. - How to Make a Moving Paper Fish
So, so brilliant. Here's a great tutorial from Crafts and Printables for making this moving fish - and you probably have everything you need right in your house. - God's Eye Baby Turtles
If your kids love making ojo de dios crafts, then this little sea turtle one from Pink Stripey Socks may be for you!
Ocean-Themed Printables for Children
If you prefer print-and-go activities, consider this list of ocean-themed downloads.
- Sea Animal Playdough Mats
Taming Little Monsters also has these awesome printable playdough mats! Download the free printable. - Ocean Fill-In Puzzle
Tree Valley Academy has this challenging print-and-go ocean vocabulary puzzle. - Free Dolphin Life Cycle Printables
Designed by About a Mom for early elementary, preschoolers can also do them with help. - Sea Turtles Unit Study
Here's a free unit study from Hess Un-Academy that is great for kids ages 4 to 12. - Coral Coloring Pages
Great for any age, these coral reef coloring pages from Nature Inspired Learning are simple and lovely. - Jellyfish Worksheets For Kids
These jellyfish worksheets from Simple Everyday Mom are perfect for kids who want or need to practice their letter recognition, handwriting skills, and scissors skills. - FREE Printable Under the Sea Kids Activity Pack
SwagGrabber has this 7-page printable activity pack. Print just one page or all to suit your needs. - Dolphin Facts for Kids To Learn & Study
Here's a printable trivia game about dolphins from Homeschool and Happiness. - Mermaid Coloring Pages
Collective Crayon has these whimsical printable mermaid coloring pages.
Ocean-Themed Kits
If you are looking for a kit that already comes with everything you need, consider one of these!
