If you are studying coral reefs, you will need a host of wonderful books about the Great Barrier Reef for kids to make a rich and full study. Also, grab more ideas on my Coral Reef page.
Also, I have plenty of fun and exciting hands-on activities to do for all ages that will make this one of your best units yet.
The Great Barrier reef is in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia.
And it is the world’s largest coral reef system.
It is composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 1,400 miles over an area of approximately 133,000 square miles.
The Great Barrier Reef is important for many reasons.
For example, it’s biodiversity is important, its impact on tourism, the protection it gives the coastline from storms and erosion, and the food and medicine that can be found there as well.
In addition to sharing books about the Great Barrier Reef, I have a faux coral reef craft project that will add a beautiful touch to any room.
BOOKS ABOUT THE GREAT BARRIER REEF FOR KIDS
First, look at some of these books about the reef.
When possible, I add living books to our reading list.
5 Great Barrier Reef Books
Add some of these fun books about the Great Barrier Reef to your home library.
Vibrant, dynamic illustrations illuminate this enchanting place, its animal inhabitants, and the peoples who have embraced it as a centerpiece of their cultures. Learn all about how the reef came to be, its place in the world, and perhaps most importantly, what we can all do to help ensure that The Great Barrier Reef will be around for countless future generations to discover!
Coral reefs occupy less than 1% of the ocean floor, but they support 25% of all marine species with food and shelter. In this lavishly illustrated book for ages 7 to 10, marine ecologist and underwater explorer Erin Spencer provides fascinating, scientific information in a highly accessible format, including details about the types of coral, their anatomy and life cycle, where they live, how reefs develop, and the incredible diversity of marine animals that live among them, including aquarium favorites like clownfish, royal blue tangs, and sea turtles. Kids learn about the interdependent relationships of people and reefs and how human behavior puts reefs in danger, promising conservation work that scientists are undertaking, and solution-oriented ways kids and families can help in the effort.
The Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of Australia, is the world's largest coral reef system. Stretching more than 1,400 miles, it provides a home to a wide diversity of creatures. Designated a World Heritage Site, the reef is suffering from the effects of climate change but this fascinating book shows this spectacular part of our planet.
It's a trip Down Under for Christina, 10, Grant, 7, and their mystery-writing grandmother Mimi! Lots of surprises and mysterious activities unfold as the group travels through the Outback, Queensland, and finally to the Great Barrier Reef. During a glass-bottom boat ride, they discover more than coral and fish under the water-scuba divers and flesh-tearing moray eel lurk beneath their boat! They shudder at the eerie screech of the Tasmanian devil and brave the awesome Australian Outback (and Aborigines!) at night. Watch and wonder as Grant ends up in the Camel Cup camel race- will he make it to the finish line? Don't miss a moment of excitement in Christina and Grant's Australian adventure! Download free activities for this book!
Hardy adventurers ages 6 - 9 dive into a silent watery world where tiny coral animals grow together to form rock gardens of white, pink, and red-orange. In this action-packed undersea circus, jaws snap, tentacles sting, ink gets squirted, and fish suddenly glow while animals that look like plants sway gently and bashful clams hide the lively secrets inside their shells. Surprisingly dry and armed with a few pieces of equipment and their boundless imaginations, children explore this magical realm one small square at a time. "Science education at its best." ― Science Books and Films
We are going to use hot glue and paint.
Then transforming them into unique coral pieces while we learn about the different types and specifically about The Great Barrier Reef and its inhabitants.
GREAT BARRIER REEF FACTS
The Great Barrier Reef has an abundance of life with:
- Fish: Over 1,600 species of fish, including clownfish, angelfish, and parrotfish.
- Corals: Over 600 species of hard and soft corals.
- Sea Turtles: Six of the world’s seven species of sea turtles.
- Sharks and Rays: Over 30 species of sharks and rays.
- Marine Mammals: Whales, dolphins, and dugongs.
- Seabirds: Over 200 species of seabirds.
The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s biggest single structure made by living organisms.
It is so big that it can be seen from space.
The reef is home to more than 1,500 species of fish – that’s more than in the entire Caribbean Sea.
Some of the corals in the Great Barrier Reef are over 1,000 years old, coral of the Great Barrier Reef has gradually been destroyed in recent years by a pest known as the Crown of Thorns Seastar, a marine organism that eats Coral Polyps.
The Great Barrier Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which means it is recognized as a place of outstanding universal value and is recognized as one of the 7 natural wonders of the world.
HANDS ON GREAT BARRIER REEF ACTIVITIES
- Fun Hands-on Coral Reef Activities and Play Dough Invitation to Play
- How To Make Your Own Magic Crystal Coral Reef
- Free Coral Reef Printable Lapbook and Fun Hands-on Unit Study Ideas
- The Geronimo Stilton Series: Make a Fun Edible Coral Reef
- Celebrate World Reef Day with a Blow Painting Coral Reef Hands-On Activity
- Egg Carton Coral Reef Craft
Finally, look at how to make this coral reef hot glue art.
HOW TO MAKE CORAL REEF HOT GLUE ART
You will need:
- Wooden plaque
- Hot glue gun/glue sticks
- Paint
- paintbrushes
- Silicone mat
First, paint your wooden plaque piece blue for the ocean or any color you like.
I found this one along with glue sticks and paint at Dollar Tree, making for a very frugal craft. Set aside to dry.
If you do not have a silicone mat I cannot recommend one highly enough. They are a fantastic item for painting, slime, and any other messy craft.
On to our beautiful faux coral pieces.
To begin with, use a light marker like a highlighter or even a dry erase marker to draw out your design.
Make any kind of coral you want here.
I tried some fan coral, a brain coral and some basic branch pieces.
Be mindful of the size wooden plaque that you have chosen to use. You want to make at least 4 or 5 of varying widths, heights, and types to layer on the background.
You want to gather a lot of hot glue for this activity, depending on how many pieces and how large you want to make them.
CORAL REEF HOT GLUE ART
Now you’re going to take your hot glue, gun and draw along the lines that you made with a nice thick line,
You can allow it to cool while you work on another piece and add additional layers of thickness if you like.
Here is a gorgeous example of fan coral that had been washed up on the beach after a hurricane.
Allow your designs to dry completely until the glue is hard and it will peel right up off the silicone mat. I peeled it back just to be sure my lines were thick enough and laid it right back down.
Now you are going to paint each piece in whatever color combination you like.
Let the paint dry completely, then begin testing out how you will layer and place your pieces on the plaque.
Once you’re satisfied, add a little bit of hot glue to the back of each piece and press it into place.
