Activity 1: Seashells by the Seashore

Activity information

Activity type: Busy Hands

Skills: Numeracy

Outcome: Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators – children begin to understand how symbols and pattern systems work.

Resources:

sea shells (real) or pre-cut from our template
counting frames of ten template, cut out and placed in a basket (you might consider laminating these to create reusable resources).

Activity description

Children choose from a selection of sea shells to practise and develop numeracy skills. The children place the shells into a counting strip of ten to practise counting. Educators invite the children to count together as they touch the shells they have placed in the frame. We have included a version with numerals and without, and you may choose to provide both sets or just one depending on your children’s development.

Collecting shells from the beach? Make sure to check local regulations, as in many places removing molluscs (shelled creatures and their shells) is illegal. If it’s fine with your local regulations, make sure to soak the shells in a mild bleach solution overnight, followed by a good wash with fresh water and a scrubbing brush. This will remove any organic material and prevent them from smelling or growing mould.

Activity setup

On a table, place the seashells (real or cut out from the template) in baskets for the children to sort. Next to the basket, provide the counting strips. Set one up as an example.

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Activity 2: Creature Features

Activity information

Activity type: Moving Bodies

Skills: Social-emotional Learning

Outcome: Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity – children develop their emerging autonomy, interdependence, resilience and agency.

Resources:

pre-cut ocean creature cards (you might consider laminating to create reusable resources)
creature prompt cards – images of children making shapes of fish or seahorses
ocean-themed box to place the cards in
ocean-inspired floor mat or rug (coloured or printed).

Activity description

Children dip their hand into the box and pull out a card. They use the sea creature cards as a creative prompt and make the shape of the creature with their bodies. Educators might prompt children to look at the key features of the animal, such as the whale’s tail, or the crabs claws. Can the other children guess what animal they are? Can they move like the animal?

Activity setup

Place the box with different creature cards inside on the floor with an area marked by an ocean-themed mat or a blue sheet on the ground (this will also help to define the space for the children).

Activity 3: Sand Pictures

Activity information

Activity type: Creation

Skills: Science Understanding

Outcome: Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world – children become socially responsible and show respect for the environment.

Resources:

loose sand (plain and/or coloured, see below!)
spoons
glue sticks
underwater sea scenes.

Activity description

Children create a picture using sand. The children use glue to draw or paint their sea-inspired picture on the coloured paper. Before the glue dries, the paper is sprinkled with sand. The sand sticks to the glue to reveal the sand picture.

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You can make coloured sand by placing a 5:1 ratio of damp sand:powder paint or food dye in a ziplock bag. Seal the bag and shake it up until it is well mixed. Spread the sand out on a tray and let it dry. If the sand is damp, the colour may transfer to hands and clothes.

Activity setup

On an outdoor table, set up the glue sticks, sea scenes and small containers of sand with spoons. Place pictures of underwater sea scenes to inspire creativity during the design process. Make an example of the sand print to invite curiosity.

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Activity 4: Sea Sculptures

Activity information

Activity type: Imagination

Skills: Problem-solving

Outcome: Outcome 4: Children transfer and adapt what they have learned from one context to another - children develop a growth mindset and learning dispositions such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination and reflexivity.

Resources:

modelling clay (playdough)
table mats
clay tools (shape cutters, imprint makers)
creature cards (cut out and laminated for reuse).

Activity description

Children use modelling clay to sculpt an underwater scene. The children choose to create their own story to solve a problem or use the prompters to help set the scene. After the children have created a story scene, they can retell the story to others.

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Activity setup

Set up a table with an easy-to-clean surface (and floor!). Put a placemat with a tennis ball-sized ball of clay at each place around the table. Put the selection of tools in the middle of the table, along with the creature cards.

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Activity 5: Sounds like the Sea

Activity information

Activity type: Quiet time

Skills: Literacy

Outcome: Outcome 3: Children have a strong sense of identity. Children develop their emerging autonomy, interdependence, resilience and agency.

Resources:

device to play the sounds of the sea
soft cushions to rest on
light blankets to nestle into
soft sea creature toys to hold (if possible).

Activity description

Listening to the ocean and everything we can hear at the beach makes for a wonderful quiet time moment. Children can lie down or cuddle up, and practice their listening skills and slow breathing.

We recommend these sea-themed soundtracks:

Activity setup

Organise pillows and soft materials in a circle.

Add the soft blankets (ocean coloured if possible) into the circle for the children to use.

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Activity 6: Weedy Seadragons

Activity information

Activity type: Creation

Skills: Science Understanding,

Outcome: Outcome 4: Children are confident and involved learners – children develop a growth mindset and learning dispositions such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination and reflexivity.

Resources:

seadragons template (cut out) & seadragon pictures (images to use as a guide)
coloured crayons
scissors
glue sticks
blue paper
seaweed-coloured crepe/paper strips.

Activity description

Children explore the seagrass and seaweed habitats of the Weedy Seadragon. They select a seadragon to colour in using the pictures of the seadragon image as a guide. The children cut around the seadragon. They add the sea dragon into a habitat filled with seaweed made from different materials to make the seaweed and seagrass.

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Activity setup

Set up the table with materials for the children to use: glue, crayons, scissors, background paper and paper strips to add as habitat to the seadragon picture. Place the seadragon cut outs for the children to select and cut around. Put the images of the seadragon on the table to inspire their underwater creativity.

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Activity 7: Scoping the Sea

Activity information

Activity type: Nature time

Skills: Science Understanding

Outcome: Outcome 4: Children are confident and involved learners - children develop a range of learning and thinking skills and processes such as problem solving, inquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating.

Resources:

water, either in a big tub, tank or paddling pool
sand
magnifying glasses
beach materials which could include shells, rocks, sand, urchin cases, shark/ray egg cases, cuttlefish shells, driftwood or bones.

Activity description

Children use the magnifying glasses to explore the beach items. The water will provide natural magnification, and children can compare what the items look like under the water with the naked eye and with the magnifying glasses. Prompt students to wonder about the items. Why do you think it has a spiral shape? What do you think was inside this shell? Why does this wood look different to a tree?

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Activity setup

Set up the activity outside in a shady area where spilt water won’t be a problem. Put a layer of sand in the bottom of your container and add water to approximately 10cm above the sand. Place your beach finds in the water. Place a container of magnifying glasses next to the water.

Remember the water play station will need to be supervised at all times. Even shallow water can pose a risk to small children.

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