If you’re diving into a study on the ocean layers, doing summer activities for middle schoolers, or want to do an Ocean Unit Study and Ocean Lapbook, our kids will love this ocean layers soap. Also, look at my page Homeschool Middle School for more fun tips.
Besides, there is no better way to learn than with a fun hands-on activity that demonstrates an idea you are trying to get across.
And yes, you could even make this fun soap activity for Shark Week.
The ocean is a huge and mostly unexplored part of our earth. As a matter of fact only about 20% of it has been explored and mapped by humans.
It is made up of 5 layers and each is different not just in depth but in temperature.
Too, the life that lives in each layer is very different.
It is fascinating, mysterious, scary, beautiful, and changing.
Today, we are going to create a beautiful bar of soap to demonstrate the 5 layers of the ocean and we can learn quite a bit while completing this activity.
Also, you’ll want to grab a couple of books to reference throughout.
And one of our favorites is Ocean Anatomy because of its beautiful illustrations and concise bites of information, even a high schooler enjoys it!
Another great one, especially for littles is The Big Book of Blue, another one with great illustrations.
Also, Basher has a great line that cover a lot of science as well as other topics.
We used Oceans as a reference during our soap making as well.
In addition, I’ll be sharing some research questions for each layer to challenge your child.
This will encourage them to use a reference book or internet, whichever you prefer to find out the answer.
We are going to make just enough today to make a couple of bars but you could easily double or triple the recipe for a larger batch.
Too, if you have access to a microwave this project would make a great activity for your co-op as well.
Layers of the Ocean
1. The Trenches (Hadalpelagic Zone)
First, The Trenches (Hadalpelagic Zone) is the deepest and darkest layer of the ocean.
It ranges from about 20,000 feet down to an estimate of 36,000 feet. It is freezing and the pressure is enormous there.
Hadal is named after Hades, Greek God of the underworld. While not a lot, there are some creatures that make their home there.
And a question: What is the deepest trench in the ocean? ( The Mariana Trench)
2. The Abyss(Abyssopelagic Zone)
Second, The Abyss(Abyssopelagic Zone) has crushing pressure and extremely cold temps.
And this part of the ocean ranges from about 13,700 feet down to 19,700 feet.
Ocean life is still scarce here but not nonexistent. This layer makes up about 83% of the total ocean.
And a question for your children: Name 3 creatures that live in this zone.
Chemosynthetic bacteria, tubeworms, and small fish, sharks, invertebrates and some crustaceans.
3. The Midnight Zone (Bathypelagic Zone)
Third is The Midnight Zone (Bathypelagic Zone).
The only light you will find in this mid layer of the ocean is from bioluminescent fish.
The Midnight zone ranges from 3,280 feet to 13,135 feet down into the depths.
And a question for your children: What is bioluminescence?
It is the production and emission of light from living organisms.
4. The Twilight Zone (Mesopelagic Zone)
Fourth is The Twilight Zone (Mesopelagic Zone).
Below 660 all the way down to 3,280 feet deep this layer is where some whales travel to eat.
Some of the animals here are darker and thinner for camouflage.
Too, squid and octopus are lurking at these depths.
Question: How many species of animals live in the Twilight Zone?
There are over 700.
5. The Sunlight Zone.
Fifth is The Sunlight Zone.
This top layer of the ocean only extends down to 660 feet.
There is plenty of sunlight here, hence the name, and there is a wider range of temperatures within this zone.
Fun question: In this zone where divers explore, what does SCUBA stand for?
Self-contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus.
Layers of the Ocean Soap Craft
Next, have fun making this layers of ocean soap craft.
Here is your list.
- Clear melt and pour soap base
- Blue Mica Powder or Soap Colorant
- Soap Mold
- Your favorite essential oil scents or soap fragrance. (Grab the Caribbean Set with scents like Pina Colada and Ocean Breeze)
- glass bowl or measuring cup
- 5 Small glass bowls for dividing up colors
- rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle
First, cut your soap into 1” chunks and place in the glass bowl.
Heat in the microwave for 1 minute and then in 30 second intervals until completely melted.
Mix in your scents to the desired scent strength.
We are going with coconut and lime today for our ocean scented soap, but you can put in any scent or combination you like.
Next, divide soap evenly between your bowls.
We love these little glass dishes from Dollar Tree because they work well for everything from sauces to experiments and at only 4/$1.25 they are a great kitchen or science addition!
Work quickly and add some color to each bowl.
Add only a small amount to the first bowl and adding more as go. We added a tiny bit of green and some black to the last to help make it even darker.
Pour your lightest layer in the mold and spritz it with rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle. This helps remove bubbles and will also help each layer stick together.
Let it set for 15-20 minutes to harden.
You will need to melt each layer in the microwave again for about a minute as it will harden while waiting.
However, no fret because it’s very easy to bring it back to a liquid state.
While we waited for each layer to melt we talked about that particular part of the ocean, looking up facts, watching videos, and reading our books.
Continue adding layers, lightest to darkest, spraying with alcohol between each.
Let your soap sit overnight then remove it from the mold.
More Ocean Activities for Summer
- Ocean Unit Study and Lapbook
- Beware of Ocean Pollution: Fun Science Activity for Kids
- Ocean Unit Study – Ocean Layers Edible
- Ocean Unit Study Language Arts: Message in a Bottle
- Humboldt Who? Hands On to Understand Ocean Currents & Their Effect On The Galapagos Islands
- How to Dissolve a Seashell – Beach Hands-on Fun Activity
With just one activity we have covered science, geography, life skills, and art. Jot all those down in your Ultimate and Beautiful DIY Homeschool Unit Study Planner.
Your child has used research skills, fine motor skills, following directions, reading, coordination, writing, and so much more!
The added bonus is that you are making memories while you learn about the ocean and its layers.
