We are creating a jellyfish in a jar preschool activity that is part art project and part science to highlight World Jellyfish Day on November 3rd. Also, you’ll love How to Homeschool Preschool and Learn How to Make an Easy Jellyfish Lights Craft.
It is a fun but simple demonstration of how jellyfish move in the water and making the jellyfish together provides the perfect opportunity to talk about its anatomy.
The best part is that you can make it with trash, well at least items destined for the trash or recycle bin.
What makes this cool science activity work the way it does?
Air is lighter than water, so any way that you turn the bottle, the head of the jellyfish will rise to the top.
Use these facts below to learn more about the moon jelly that closely resembles our jellyfish in a jar and some of the resources and activities I found to create an entire study or just a day of fun and learning.
4 Facts About Moon Jellyfish
Since our jellyfish in a jar activity resembles a moon jellyfish, we are going to swim right into it and learn all about this amazing invertebrate.
- Aurelia is a genus of jellyfish; they are commonly called moon jellies and are in the class Scyphozoa. There are currently 25 accepted species that fall under moon jellies.
- Moon jellies can be identified by four circles visible through the translucent white bell and short tentacles.
- Moon jellyfish can be found in oceans all around the world. They thrive in a warm environment and are often found near coastlines in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans.
- Moon jellies even went into space as an experiment on the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1991 as part of a study on the effects of weightlessness on the development of internal organs in juvenile jellies.
Also, look at some of these books about jellyfish.
I always lean toward living books first, then add reference books.
Books and Resources about Jellyfish
Add some of these books and resources to your study of jellyfish.
With their undulating umbrella-shaped bells and sprawling tentacles, they are compelling and gorgeous, strange and dangerous. In many places they’re also vastly increasing in number, and these population blooms may be an ominous indicator of the rising temperatures and toxicity of the oceans.
Beautiful and translucent, jellyfish can be deadly but some are perfectly harmless. Learn about the physical traits of jellyfish, how they move, where they are found, and their hunting and sleeping habits.
Describes the life cycle of a female moon jellyfish as she escapes the many hazards of the sea to develop from planula to polyp to ephyra to a young adult ready to lay her own fertilized eggs.
SIMPLE DESIGN - FUELS CREATIVITY: One shape, endless possibility! Every brick easily connects to the next. Create colorful flat mosaics or work in 3-D to make more intricate builds. Mix and match any Plus-Plus set to bring more ideas to life!
CHALLENGE GAME - Wooden jigsaw puzzles with uniquely shaped pieces are actually more challenging than traditional woodcut puzzles. It is absolutely going to be a great adventure!
Describes the general characteristics and functions of a variety of jellyfish with emphasis on the ones to avoid.
Once, the ocean was full of friends. Then a little jellyfish notices that things are changing--friends are disappearing! He sets out to discover the truth and learns that everyone has a part to play in protecting the careful balance of the ocean. "Bloom" refers to a substantial increase in jellyfish population that can be caused by climate change and pollution. In this beautifully illustrated, timely, and topical tale, the jellyfish band together to deliver an important message.
Additionally, look at these other jellyfish crafts.
Jellyfish Activities
Choose one or more additional activities to make your jellyfish study even better, allowing a deeper dive into the topic.
- Learn How to Make an Easy Jellyfish Lights Craft that will be fun to hang up in your child’s room as a reminder of what they learned.
- Make a Paper Lantern Jellyfish as you study their anatomy or habits.
- I like art activities that serve more than one purpose like this Fine Motor Jellyfish Craft For Kids that will develop fine motor skills and muscles.
- Create Black Glue Jellyfish Art for a dramatic art activity.
- A colorful Suncatcher Jellyfish Kids Craft will brighten up your windows on any dark or sunny day.
- Another craft that uses art and developing fine motor skills Paper Plate Jellyfish Craft for Kids
- Jellyfish are the perfect shape for a cute and colorful windsock, check out this Scrape Painted Jellyfish Windsock.
- Make these cute Egg Carton Jellyfish from just beads and egg cartons.
Finally, look how to make this jellyfish in a jar preschool activity.
Jellyfish in a Jar Preschool Activity
You will need:
- Large clean jar
- Water
- Small plastic bag
- Scissors
- Straw
- String
- Blue food coloring
First, cut a square of plastic out of a store bag or ziploc bag that would fit inside your jar with plenty of room to move.
Cut strips through both sides, leaving a few inches uncut for tentacles, you may want to cut away a few of the strips so it is not so full.
Place a straw into the center and wrap a string just above the cuts to define the head (bell) of the jellyfish.
Blow into the straw to fill it with air. As you pull out the straw, tighten and tie off the string to keep it filled with air.
Fill the jar with water and a drop of blue food coloring.
If you add too much blue it will be hard to see your jellyfish.
Use the straw to push the jellyfish down into the jar.
Replace the lid and watch the tentacles dance around as you gently swirl the water.
To extend the activity a bit you can let your child use dry erase markers.
Use the markers on the jar to create a colorful world for your jellyfish to live in.
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