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ocean

Ocean Unit Study Ocean Layers Hands-on Fun Activity

June 20, 2024 | 16 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We’re doing an ocean unit study ocean layers today. Also, look at my page Oceans Unit Study and Lapbook.

Since Tiny was reading about the ocean layers in our atlas, we decided to keep it fun and make dessert before supper and learn at the same time while our furniture was being loaded up and hauled away. 

Ocean Unit Study Ocean Layers Hands-on Fun Activity

Besides, most all of these ingredients we had at the house and I needed something Tiny could do while we were dealing with people in our home.

First, add some of these books to your ocean unit study.

We love to add living books when we can find them. Then we add reference books.

Ocean Books for Kids

16 Ocean Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Choose a few of these ocean themed books to go along with your study of the Oceans. Whether you're looking for a spine for a unit study or literature, you'll love this roundup.

Image for The Burgess Seashore Book for Children in color

The Burgess Seashore Book for Children in color

Join Danny Meadow Mouse, Jimmy Skunk, and Reddy Fox as they explore the seashore and take a closer look at the habits and habitats of the creatures they find. Discover the Seahorse, Shrimp, Crab, Anemone, Gull, and so many more.

The Burgess Seashore Book for Children is a wonderful way to introduce young ones to the fascinating world beneath us and is a perfect compliment to earlier books in this series, the Bird, Animal, and Flower books.

This edition is complete and unabridged with all of the beautiful illustrations by W.H. Southwick and George Sutton

Image for Seaside Naturalist: Seaside Naturalist

Seaside Naturalist: Seaside Naturalist

Seaside Naturalist is an illustrated guide to marine plants and animals includes the characteristics of protozoa, arthropods, sponges, mollusks, reptiles, birds, fish, and mammals.

Image for The Big Book of the Blue (The Big Book Series)

The Big Book of the Blue (The Big Book Series)

The book opens by explaining how different types of animals are able to breathe and survive underwater, and the different families to which they belong. Subsequent pages are dedicated to specific creatures, including sea turtles, whales, sharks, stingrays, and seahorses, and show varied life in specific habitats, such as a coral reef or deep sea bed. The Big Book of the Blue also explores the underwater world thematically, looking at animals in danger, learning how to spot creatures at the beach, and discovering how to do our part to save sea life. Beautiful and filled with fascinating facts, young, curious readers won’t be able to tear their eyes away from the page.

Image for Scott O'Dell Set: Island of the Blue Dolphins + Zia

Scott O'Dell Set: Island of the Blue Dolphins + Zia

Island of the Blue Dolphins begins with a young girl named Karana who is living on the Island of the Blue Dolphins (fancy name, right?) with her younger brother, Ramo, and sister, Ulape. One day, a group of Russian hunters (Aleutians) land on the island to hunt for otter. This is when the trouble really begins.

Image for Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau (Underwater Picture Book for Kids)

Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau (Underwater Picture Book for Kids)

Once upon a time in France, a baby was born under the summer sun. His parents named him Jacques. As he grew, Jacques fell in love with the sea. He dreamed of breathing beneath the waves and swimming as gracefully as a fish. In fact, he longed to become a manfish. Jacques Cousteau grew up to become a champion of the seas and one of the best-known oceanographers in the world. In this lovely biography, now in paperback, poetic text and gorgeous paintings come together to create a portrait of Cousteau that is as magical as it is inspiring.

Image for Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas (Illustrated 1875 Edition):

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas (Illustrated 1875 Edition):

A beautiful edition with 110 images from the 1875 English edition. Use Amazon's Look inside feature to compare this edition with others. You'll be impressed by the differences. Don't be fooled by other versions that have no illustrations or contain very small print. Reading our edition will make you feel that you are traveling the seas with Captain Nemo himself.

Image for Swiss Family Robinson (Illustrated Classic): 200th Anniversary Collection

Swiss Family Robinson (Illustrated Classic): 200th Anniversary Collection

More than 100 original illustrations by Louis Rhead. You want to read this book with illustrations.

An introduction by W. D. Howells.

Nicely formatted text in an easy-to-read font.

A beautiful cover from the 1891 edition.

Image for Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia

Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia

Embark on a captivating tour of the waters that cover 70 percent of our planet! See our oceans come to life in mind-blowing detail. This is the ultimate children’s visual encyclopedia about the awe-inspiring blue planet! 

Image for Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist

Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist

How did a nineteenth-century dressmaker revolutionize science? Jeanne Power was creative: she wanted to learn about the creatures that swim beneath the ocean waves, so she built glass tanks and changed the way we study underwater life forever. Jeanne Power was groundbreaking: she solved mysteries of sea animals and published her findings at a time when few of women’s contributions to science were acknowledged. Jeanne Power was persistent: when records of her research were lost, she set to work repeating her studies. And when men tried to take credit for her achievements, she stood firm and insisted on the recognition due to her.

Image for Ocean Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of the World under the Sea

Ocean Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of the World under the Sea

Follow Rothman’s inquisitive mind and perceptive eye along shorelines, across the open ocean, and below the waves for an artistic exploration of the watery universe. Through her drawings, discover how the world’s oceans formed, why the sea is salty, and the forces behind oceanic phenomena such as rogue waves. Colorful anatomical profiles of sea creatures from crustacean to cetacean, surveys of seafaring vessels and lighthouses, and the impact of plastic and warming water temperatures are just part of this compendium of curiosities that will entertain and educate readers of all ages. 

Image for The Fascinating Ocean Book for Kids: 500 Incredible Facts!

The Fascinating Ocean Book for Kids: 500 Incredible Facts!

Do you know a kid who’s captivated by what goes on beneath the ocean’s surface? This amazing entry into ocean books for kids is packed with hundreds of incredible facts for hours of underwater exploration. Pages of full-color pictures feature life in and around the sea including fish, dolphins, and shipwrecks!

Image for All About Bioluminescence: Deep Sea Animals

All About Bioluminescence: Deep Sea Animals

Dive into the mesmerizing world of bioluminescence with "All About Bioluminescence." In this captivating book, readers embark on a journey through the depths of the ocean to discover the extraordinary glow-in-the-dark creatures that inhabit its mysterious realm. From the enchanting sea angel to the infamous anglerfish, each page is filled with stunning illustrations and fascinating facts about these luminous beings.With a focus on deep-sea dwellers, readers will uncover the secrets behind bioluminescence and learn how these creatures use light to communicate, camouflage, and lure prey. But the adventure doesn't stop there! "All About Bioluminescence" also includes hands-on activities like a glow stick experiment, allowing readers to experience the magic of bioluminescence firsthand.

Image for Treasure Island (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels)

Treasure Island (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels)

One of the most enduringly popular adventure tales, Treasure Island began in 1881 as a serialized adventure entitled "The Sea-Cook"in the periodical Young Folks. Completed during a stay at Davos, Switzerland, where Stevenson had gone for his health, it was published in 1883 in the form we know today.Set in the eighteenth century, Treasure Island spins a heady tale of piracy, a mysterious treasure map, and a host of sinister characters charged with diabolical intentions. Seen through the eyes of Jim Hawkins, the cabin boy of the Hispaniola, the action-packed adventure tells of a perilous sea journey across the Spanish Main, a mutiny led by the infamous Long John Silver, and a lethal scramble for buried treasure on an exotic isle.

Image for Oceans and Seas!: With 25 Science Projects for Kids

Oceans and Seas!: With 25 Science Projects for Kids

In Oceans and Seas! With 25 Science Projects for Kids readers ages 7 though 10 dive into the underwater world of some of the most amazing landscapes on Earth. On this amazing underwater adventure, kids experience the ocean’s tropical reefs and spot crabs, sea sponges, and thousands of kinds of fish darting in its crags and folds. They’ll meet a giant squid with eyes the size of dinner plates and an mbrella-like bioluminescent jellyfish.

Image for Discover the Oceans: The World's Largest Ecosystem (Discover Your World)

Discover the Oceans: The World's Largest Ecosystem (Discover Your World)

From both a historical and scientific point of view, above and below the surface, this engaging guide brings the world’s oceans to life through fun facts, illustrations, and in-depth information. Interactive activities appear throughout, ranging from making solar stills and simple fishing spears to experimenting with a homemade diving bell and figuring out how much water it really takes to survive. With the oceans being the least explored environment on Earth, this reference illuminates some of the most incredible and surprising plants and animals as well as how to survive and navigate these vast expanses.

Image for Pagoo

Pagoo

An intricate study of tide pool life is presented in text and pictures through the story of Pagoo, a her-mit crab.

Here is the short list of ingredients. We normally are not big eaters for packaged cookies because we prefer homemade, but we make an exception for Oreo cookies anytime.

Ocean Layers
  • Oreo cookies
  • Chocolate pudding
  • Banana cream pudding
  • cool whip
  • blue dye
Ocean Layers 1Ocean Layers 2

To show the darkest part of the ocean or the trench, he put crumbled Oreo cookies at the very bottom of a large glass. 

Then, because we had chocolate pudding, he used that for the next layer which is the abyss layer.

Both of those ocean zones are dark and forbidding so I think his choices for yummy layers to help him remember those layers will stick!

I wished though we had a lighter shade of chocolate to show the separation a bit more clear, but I try to use things we have in the house already.

Ocean Layers 3Ocean Layers 4

A little bit of blue dye with some whip cream was  perfect for the midnight ocean layer. 

Though it’s still dark at this layer, a large amount of animals live there and produce their own light. 

In his mind, the blue color equates to finding more ocean life at this layer.  I thought that was a good connection.

Next, we had banana cream for the twilight layer. 

It was a great color choice for this ocean zone because though the light gets here, it is still light or faint.

Ocean Unit Study Ocean Layers Hands-on Fun Activity

Of course the pudding has a heavier weight than the whip cream, so his ocean layers began to sink a bit.

More Learning About the Ocean Hands-on Activities

  • Quick Unit Study & Easy Salt water Density Ocean Science Experiments For Kindergarten
  • How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe
  • The Fascinating World of Sea Geography | Paddle to the Sea Craft
  • Beware of Ocean Pollution: Fun Science Activity for Kids
  • How to Make a Fun Paper Plate Fish | F is for Fish

But—uhmmm—it never bothered him!

Ocean Unit Study Ocean Layers Hands-on Fun Activity

Then, one more delicious layer for the bright white light or whip cream called sunlight and he got out of labeling a worksheet he can already name the ocean layers.

Ocean Unit Study Ocean Layers Hands-on Fun Activity

Ocean Unit Study – Ocean Layers

I think with all the mayhem we had in the house with our furniture leaving, this was a fun and easy way to learn the names of the ocean layers. 

Finding the right combinations of sweet treats that tasted good together just kind of fell into place on this activity.  That sometimes is not so easy to do with edible activities.

What is the Ocean Minibook
Message In a Bottle Language Arts
Ocean Unit Study: Vocabulary Words & Wave Pocket
Hands-On Edible Geography Sea Levels
InLinkz.com

16 CommentsFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: geography, hands-on, hands-on activities, handsonhomeschooling, middleschool, ocean, oceanlayers

The Fascinating World of Sea Geography | Paddle to the Sea Craft

June 18, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We’re learning about sea geography and what exactly is a sea. Also, look at my Oceans Unit Study and Lapbook page and Hands-On Simple And Best Homeschool Geography Ideas & Tips.

Is the sea different from the ocean? 

Oftentimes the words ‘sea ‘and ‘ocean’ are used interchangeably when describing large salty bodies of water, but they are two distinct bodies of water. 

But beyond learning about the difference between seas and oceans we of course have a fun activity that I think you and your kids will enjoy.

The Fascinating World of Sea Geography | Paddle to the Sea Craft

We are making a craft based on Paddle to the Sea which gives us a lovely fun geography lesson.

Do you remember as a kid creating your own carbon paper?

I distinctly remember an elementary school scribbling on the back of a paper flipping it and writing on the other side in order to make the carbon transfer to another sheet of paper.

This is a technique that I want to share with you or remind you of today to show your kids how to make their own map.

Before we do that let’s find out some more facts about sea geography and what a sea is and isn’t.

First, look at a few books about the ocean.

16 Ocean Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Choose a few of these ocean themed books to go along with your study of the Oceans. Whether you're looking for a spine for a unit study or literature, you'll love this roundup.

Image for The Burgess Seashore Book for Children in color

The Burgess Seashore Book for Children in color

Join Danny Meadow Mouse, Jimmy Skunk, and Reddy Fox as they explore the seashore and take a closer look at the habits and habitats of the creatures they find. Discover the Seahorse, Shrimp, Crab, Anemone, Gull, and so many more.

The Burgess Seashore Book for Children is a wonderful way to introduce young ones to the fascinating world beneath us and is a perfect compliment to earlier books in this series, the Bird, Animal, and Flower books.

This edition is complete and unabridged with all of the beautiful illustrations by W.H. Southwick and George Sutton

Image for Seaside Naturalist: Seaside Naturalist

Seaside Naturalist: Seaside Naturalist

Seaside Naturalist is an illustrated guide to marine plants and animals includes the characteristics of protozoa, arthropods, sponges, mollusks, reptiles, birds, fish, and mammals.

Image for The Big Book of the Blue (The Big Book Series)

The Big Book of the Blue (The Big Book Series)

The book opens by explaining how different types of animals are able to breathe and survive underwater, and the different families to which they belong. Subsequent pages are dedicated to specific creatures, including sea turtles, whales, sharks, stingrays, and seahorses, and show varied life in specific habitats, such as a coral reef or deep sea bed. The Big Book of the Blue also explores the underwater world thematically, looking at animals in danger, learning how to spot creatures at the beach, and discovering how to do our part to save sea life. Beautiful and filled with fascinating facts, young, curious readers won’t be able to tear their eyes away from the page.

Image for Scott O'Dell Set: Island of the Blue Dolphins + Zia

Scott O'Dell Set: Island of the Blue Dolphins + Zia

Island of the Blue Dolphins begins with a young girl named Karana who is living on the Island of the Blue Dolphins (fancy name, right?) with her younger brother, Ramo, and sister, Ulape. One day, a group of Russian hunters (Aleutians) land on the island to hunt for otter. This is when the trouble really begins.

Image for Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau (Underwater Picture Book for Kids)

Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau (Underwater Picture Book for Kids)

Once upon a time in France, a baby was born under the summer sun. His parents named him Jacques. As he grew, Jacques fell in love with the sea. He dreamed of breathing beneath the waves and swimming as gracefully as a fish. In fact, he longed to become a manfish. Jacques Cousteau grew up to become a champion of the seas and one of the best-known oceanographers in the world. In this lovely biography, now in paperback, poetic text and gorgeous paintings come together to create a portrait of Cousteau that is as magical as it is inspiring.

Image for Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas (Illustrated 1875 Edition):

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas (Illustrated 1875 Edition):

A beautiful edition with 110 images from the 1875 English edition. Use Amazon's Look inside feature to compare this edition with others. You'll be impressed by the differences. Don't be fooled by other versions that have no illustrations or contain very small print. Reading our edition will make you feel that you are traveling the seas with Captain Nemo himself.

Image for Swiss Family Robinson (Illustrated Classic): 200th Anniversary Collection

Swiss Family Robinson (Illustrated Classic): 200th Anniversary Collection

More than 100 original illustrations by Louis Rhead. You want to read this book with illustrations.

An introduction by W. D. Howells.

Nicely formatted text in an easy-to-read font.

A beautiful cover from the 1891 edition.

Image for Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia

Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia

Embark on a captivating tour of the waters that cover 70 percent of our planet! See our oceans come to life in mind-blowing detail. This is the ultimate children’s visual encyclopedia about the awe-inspiring blue planet! 

Image for Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist

Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist

How did a nineteenth-century dressmaker revolutionize science? Jeanne Power was creative: she wanted to learn about the creatures that swim beneath the ocean waves, so she built glass tanks and changed the way we study underwater life forever. Jeanne Power was groundbreaking: she solved mysteries of sea animals and published her findings at a time when few of women’s contributions to science were acknowledged. Jeanne Power was persistent: when records of her research were lost, she set to work repeating her studies. And when men tried to take credit for her achievements, she stood firm and insisted on the recognition due to her.

Image for Ocean Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of the World under the Sea

Ocean Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of the World under the Sea

Follow Rothman’s inquisitive mind and perceptive eye along shorelines, across the open ocean, and below the waves for an artistic exploration of the watery universe. Through her drawings, discover how the world’s oceans formed, why the sea is salty, and the forces behind oceanic phenomena such as rogue waves. Colorful anatomical profiles of sea creatures from crustacean to cetacean, surveys of seafaring vessels and lighthouses, and the impact of plastic and warming water temperatures are just part of this compendium of curiosities that will entertain and educate readers of all ages. 

Image for The Fascinating Ocean Book for Kids: 500 Incredible Facts!

The Fascinating Ocean Book for Kids: 500 Incredible Facts!

Do you know a kid who’s captivated by what goes on beneath the ocean’s surface? This amazing entry into ocean books for kids is packed with hundreds of incredible facts for hours of underwater exploration. Pages of full-color pictures feature life in and around the sea including fish, dolphins, and shipwrecks!

Image for All About Bioluminescence: Deep Sea Animals

All About Bioluminescence: Deep Sea Animals

Dive into the mesmerizing world of bioluminescence with "All About Bioluminescence." In this captivating book, readers embark on a journey through the depths of the ocean to discover the extraordinary glow-in-the-dark creatures that inhabit its mysterious realm. From the enchanting sea angel to the infamous anglerfish, each page is filled with stunning illustrations and fascinating facts about these luminous beings.With a focus on deep-sea dwellers, readers will uncover the secrets behind bioluminescence and learn how these creatures use light to communicate, camouflage, and lure prey. But the adventure doesn't stop there! "All About Bioluminescence" also includes hands-on activities like a glow stick experiment, allowing readers to experience the magic of bioluminescence firsthand.

Image for Treasure Island (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels)

Treasure Island (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels)

One of the most enduringly popular adventure tales, Treasure Island began in 1881 as a serialized adventure entitled "The Sea-Cook"in the periodical Young Folks. Completed during a stay at Davos, Switzerland, where Stevenson had gone for his health, it was published in 1883 in the form we know today.Set in the eighteenth century, Treasure Island spins a heady tale of piracy, a mysterious treasure map, and a host of sinister characters charged with diabolical intentions. Seen through the eyes of Jim Hawkins, the cabin boy of the Hispaniola, the action-packed adventure tells of a perilous sea journey across the Spanish Main, a mutiny led by the infamous Long John Silver, and a lethal scramble for buried treasure on an exotic isle.

Image for Oceans and Seas!: With 25 Science Projects for Kids

Oceans and Seas!: With 25 Science Projects for Kids

In Oceans and Seas! With 25 Science Projects for Kids readers ages 7 though 10 dive into the underwater world of some of the most amazing landscapes on Earth. On this amazing underwater adventure, kids experience the ocean’s tropical reefs and spot crabs, sea sponges, and thousands of kinds of fish darting in its crags and folds. They’ll meet a giant squid with eyes the size of dinner plates and an mbrella-like bioluminescent jellyfish.

Image for Discover the Oceans: The World's Largest Ecosystem (Discover Your World)

Discover the Oceans: The World's Largest Ecosystem (Discover Your World)

From both a historical and scientific point of view, above and below the surface, this engaging guide brings the world’s oceans to life through fun facts, illustrations, and in-depth information. Interactive activities appear throughout, ranging from making solar stills and simple fishing spears to experimenting with a homemade diving bell and figuring out how much water it really takes to survive. With the oceans being the least explored environment on Earth, this reference illuminates some of the most incredible and surprising plants and animals as well as how to survive and navigate these vast expanses.

Image for Pagoo

Pagoo

An intricate study of tide pool life is presented in text and pictures through the story of Pagoo, a her-mit crab.

A Sea Versus an Ocean

A sea is defined as a portion of the ocean that is partly surrounded by land. Using this definition there are about 50 seas around the world.

This includes bodies of water that are not often thought of as seas.

For example, the Gulf of Mexico is an ocean basin and a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean as well as the Hudson Bay which is the largest northern inland sea.

An ocean is defined as one of the large bodies of water into which the ocean is divided.

What is a Sea

  • Smaller than oceans
  • Partially enclosed by land
  • Most often not as salty as oceans

Examples-Mediterranean Sea, Caribbean Sea, North Sea, Hudson Bay.

What is an Ocean

  • Much larger than seas
  • Deeper than seas
  • Not enclosed by land
  • More salty than seas

Examples-Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean

There is one exception to this and that is the Sargasso Sea.

It is located entirely within the Atlantic Ocean and is the only sea without a land boundary

The Fascinating World of Sea Geography | Paddle to the Sea Craft

Paddle to The Sea and the Great Lakes

So, what do the Great Lakes and Hudson Bay have to do with oceans or seas? Also, grab the book Paddle to the Sea.

Where does this water from the Great Lakes go? Where does it come from?

The Great Lakes were originally fed by meltwater from glaciers but now gets its new water from rivers, precipitation, and groundwater springs.

The Long Lac and Ogoki diversions of the Hudson Bay, located in northern Ontario, divert water from a portion of the Hudson Bay watershed into the Lake Superior basin.

The Great Lakes system flows to the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Lawrence River.

As it flows from its westernmost point in Duluth, Minnesota to the Atlantic Ocean, the waterway drops in elevation approximately 600 feet.

The Hudson Strait makes a connection between the Labrador Sea and the Atlantic Ocean in the northeast, while the Foxe Channel connects the Hudson Bay with the Arctic Ocean in the north. It is largely considered to be part of the Atlantic Ocean.

Grab a map like a scrunch map, and trace the path of Paddle To The Sea using a small object, how perfect was this little canoe?

This gives your child a better understanding of how our entire water system works together from tiny streams to large oceans and seas.

The Fascinating World of Sea Geography | Paddle to the Sea Craft

Paddle to The Sea Geography Ideas

  • Learn How to Make An Edible Geography Model of Tidal Zones to take a close up hands on look at the different geography of the ocean.
  • Another fantastic book by Holling C. Holling is Seabird and I found a Seabird Unit Study to go along with it if you are enjoying this stream of study.
  • Making Ocean Layers Soap
  • Create a Dead Sea Lapbook and learn more about this sea that borders Jordan to the east, and Israel to the west.
  • How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

Paddle To The Sea Craft

You will need:

  • Watercolor Paper
  • Paddle to the Sea Book
  • Watercolor paints
  • Paintbrushes
  • Copy paper
  • Pencil
  • Black fine line pen
  • Printed map
The Fascinating World of Sea Geography | Paddle to the Sea Craft

First you want to print a map of whatever geographical area that you’re wanting to study and print it out.

I just happened to find the perfect map to go along with Paddle To The Sea here at the National Museum of Great Lakes book club.

The Fascinating World of Sea Geography | Paddle to the Sea Craft

Flip the map over and scribble all over the back with a freshly sharpened pencil, be sure to cover all the areas behind where you will be tracing your map.

The Fascinating World of Sea Geography | Paddle to the Sea Craft

Place your map, scribble side down on a piece of watercolor paper and secure it into place with a piece of masking tape or painters tape to keep it from sliding around.

The Fascinating World of Sea Geography | Paddle to the Sea Craft

Trace around your map outline with pencil and flip it up occasionally to be sure that you haven’t missed any key spots.

The Fascinating World of Sea Geography | Paddle to the Sea Craft

Remove the paper map and tape.

Now to add some fun color.

 Since this is a sea geography project start by water coloring all the

bodies of water like the Great Lakes, Hudson Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean.

The Fascinating World of Sea Geography | Paddle to the Sea Craft

Let your water dry and then start painting in the land.

Have your child color Canada one color and the United States a different color to help them differentiate where one ends and the other begins to grasp the geography of the area.

The Fascinating World of Sea Geography | Paddle to the Sea Craft

Once the entire painting is dry, they can label the bodies of land and water as well as use the fine line pen to outline the land and water to create definition.

The Fascinating World of Sea Geography | Paddle to the Sea Craft

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: earth science, earthscience, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, ocean, science

11 Awesome Beach Theme STEM Activities | Quick Sunscreen Painting Experiment

June 8, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Beach theme STEM activities are a wonderful way to bring some learning into a fun experience. Seashore Beach Watching Unit Study and Seashore Lapbook.

As a homeschool mom you know that learning can take place anytime, anywhere, even on the beach.

There are many ways to learn during a simple trip to the beach, even just through observation.

11 Awesome Beach Theme STEM Activities | Quick Sunscreen Painting Experiment

Your child will take in and process so much information.

However, there are still many ways to be more intentional about the learning.

I have an easy and quick sunscreen painting experiment.

You need two simple items.

This will demonstrate a simple concept on the sun’s harmful rays.

And what we can do to protect ourselves when we are at the beach.

From edible beach treats that incorporate math to learning all about shark vocabulary I have gathered up plenty of awesome beach theme stem activities.

These activities make your surf and sand theme unit study full and fun.

Beach and Ocean Books for Kids

First, look at some of these books about beaches and oceans.

Add them to your home library.

16 Ocean Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Choose a few of these ocean themed books to go along with your study of the Oceans. Whether you're looking for a spine for a unit study or literature, you'll love this roundup.

Image for The Burgess Seashore Book for Children in color

The Burgess Seashore Book for Children in color

Join Danny Meadow Mouse, Jimmy Skunk, and Reddy Fox as they explore the seashore and take a closer look at the habits and habitats of the creatures they find. Discover the Seahorse, Shrimp, Crab, Anemone, Gull, and so many more.

The Burgess Seashore Book for Children is a wonderful way to introduce young ones to the fascinating world beneath us and is a perfect compliment to earlier books in this series, the Bird, Animal, and Flower books.

This edition is complete and unabridged with all of the beautiful illustrations by W.H. Southwick and George Sutton

Image for Seaside Naturalist: Seaside Naturalist

Seaside Naturalist: Seaside Naturalist

Seaside Naturalist is an illustrated guide to marine plants and animals includes the characteristics of protozoa, arthropods, sponges, mollusks, reptiles, birds, fish, and mammals.

Image for The Big Book of the Blue (The Big Book Series)

The Big Book of the Blue (The Big Book Series)

The book opens by explaining how different types of animals are able to breathe and survive underwater, and the different families to which they belong. Subsequent pages are dedicated to specific creatures, including sea turtles, whales, sharks, stingrays, and seahorses, and show varied life in specific habitats, such as a coral reef or deep sea bed. The Big Book of the Blue also explores the underwater world thematically, looking at animals in danger, learning how to spot creatures at the beach, and discovering how to do our part to save sea life. Beautiful and filled with fascinating facts, young, curious readers won’t be able to tear their eyes away from the page.

Image for Scott O'Dell Set: Island of the Blue Dolphins + Zia

Scott O'Dell Set: Island of the Blue Dolphins + Zia

Island of the Blue Dolphins begins with a young girl named Karana who is living on the Island of the Blue Dolphins (fancy name, right?) with her younger brother, Ramo, and sister, Ulape. One day, a group of Russian hunters (Aleutians) land on the island to hunt for otter. This is when the trouble really begins.

Image for Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau (Underwater Picture Book for Kids)

Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau (Underwater Picture Book for Kids)

Once upon a time in France, a baby was born under the summer sun. His parents named him Jacques. As he grew, Jacques fell in love with the sea. He dreamed of breathing beneath the waves and swimming as gracefully as a fish. In fact, he longed to become a manfish. Jacques Cousteau grew up to become a champion of the seas and one of the best-known oceanographers in the world. In this lovely biography, now in paperback, poetic text and gorgeous paintings come together to create a portrait of Cousteau that is as magical as it is inspiring.

Image for Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas (Illustrated 1875 Edition):

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas (Illustrated 1875 Edition):

A beautiful edition with 110 images from the 1875 English edition. Use Amazon's Look inside feature to compare this edition with others. You'll be impressed by the differences. Don't be fooled by other versions that have no illustrations or contain very small print. Reading our edition will make you feel that you are traveling the seas with Captain Nemo himself.

Image for Swiss Family Robinson (Illustrated Classic): 200th Anniversary Collection

Swiss Family Robinson (Illustrated Classic): 200th Anniversary Collection

More than 100 original illustrations by Louis Rhead. You want to read this book with illustrations.

An introduction by W. D. Howells.

Nicely formatted text in an easy-to-read font.

A beautiful cover from the 1891 edition.

Image for Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia

Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia

Embark on a captivating tour of the waters that cover 70 percent of our planet! See our oceans come to life in mind-blowing detail. This is the ultimate children’s visual encyclopedia about the awe-inspiring blue planet! 

Image for Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist

Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist

How did a nineteenth-century dressmaker revolutionize science? Jeanne Power was creative: she wanted to learn about the creatures that swim beneath the ocean waves, so she built glass tanks and changed the way we study underwater life forever. Jeanne Power was groundbreaking: she solved mysteries of sea animals and published her findings at a time when few of women’s contributions to science were acknowledged. Jeanne Power was persistent: when records of her research were lost, she set to work repeating her studies. And when men tried to take credit for her achievements, she stood firm and insisted on the recognition due to her.

Image for Ocean Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of the World under the Sea

Ocean Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of the World under the Sea

Follow Rothman’s inquisitive mind and perceptive eye along shorelines, across the open ocean, and below the waves for an artistic exploration of the watery universe. Through her drawings, discover how the world’s oceans formed, why the sea is salty, and the forces behind oceanic phenomena such as rogue waves. Colorful anatomical profiles of sea creatures from crustacean to cetacean, surveys of seafaring vessels and lighthouses, and the impact of plastic and warming water temperatures are just part of this compendium of curiosities that will entertain and educate readers of all ages. 

Image for The Fascinating Ocean Book for Kids: 500 Incredible Facts!

The Fascinating Ocean Book for Kids: 500 Incredible Facts!

Do you know a kid who’s captivated by what goes on beneath the ocean’s surface? This amazing entry into ocean books for kids is packed with hundreds of incredible facts for hours of underwater exploration. Pages of full-color pictures feature life in and around the sea including fish, dolphins, and shipwrecks!

Image for All About Bioluminescence: Deep Sea Animals

All About Bioluminescence: Deep Sea Animals

Dive into the mesmerizing world of bioluminescence with "All About Bioluminescence." In this captivating book, readers embark on a journey through the depths of the ocean to discover the extraordinary glow-in-the-dark creatures that inhabit its mysterious realm. From the enchanting sea angel to the infamous anglerfish, each page is filled with stunning illustrations and fascinating facts about these luminous beings.With a focus on deep-sea dwellers, readers will uncover the secrets behind bioluminescence and learn how these creatures use light to communicate, camouflage, and lure prey. But the adventure doesn't stop there! "All About Bioluminescence" also includes hands-on activities like a glow stick experiment, allowing readers to experience the magic of bioluminescence firsthand.

Image for Treasure Island (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels)

Treasure Island (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels)

One of the most enduringly popular adventure tales, Treasure Island began in 1881 as a serialized adventure entitled "The Sea-Cook"in the periodical Young Folks. Completed during a stay at Davos, Switzerland, where Stevenson had gone for his health, it was published in 1883 in the form we know today.Set in the eighteenth century, Treasure Island spins a heady tale of piracy, a mysterious treasure map, and a host of sinister characters charged with diabolical intentions. Seen through the eyes of Jim Hawkins, the cabin boy of the Hispaniola, the action-packed adventure tells of a perilous sea journey across the Spanish Main, a mutiny led by the infamous Long John Silver, and a lethal scramble for buried treasure on an exotic isle.

Image for Oceans and Seas!: With 25 Science Projects for Kids

Oceans and Seas!: With 25 Science Projects for Kids

In Oceans and Seas! With 25 Science Projects for Kids readers ages 7 though 10 dive into the underwater world of some of the most amazing landscapes on Earth. On this amazing underwater adventure, kids experience the ocean’s tropical reefs and spot crabs, sea sponges, and thousands of kinds of fish darting in its crags and folds. They’ll meet a giant squid with eyes the size of dinner plates and an mbrella-like bioluminescent jellyfish.

Image for Discover the Oceans: The World's Largest Ecosystem (Discover Your World)

Discover the Oceans: The World's Largest Ecosystem (Discover Your World)

From both a historical and scientific point of view, above and below the surface, this engaging guide brings the world’s oceans to life through fun facts, illustrations, and in-depth information. Interactive activities appear throughout, ranging from making solar stills and simple fishing spears to experimenting with a homemade diving bell and figuring out how much water it really takes to survive. With the oceans being the least explored environment on Earth, this reference illuminates some of the most incredible and surprising plants and animals as well as how to survive and navigate these vast expanses.

Image for Pagoo

Pagoo

An intricate study of tide pool life is presented in text and pictures through the story of Pagoo, a her-mit crab.

Next, look at these hands-on beach activities.

11 Awesome Beach Theme STEM Activities

  1. Cooking definitely falls under STEM by covering science and math, Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe.
  2. Check out this awesome Epic Sand Volcano for some explosive beach STEM fun.
  3. At home, create your own beach model (or diorama) to demonstrate the creatures that make their home in and near the water.
  4. Bring a little of the beach home and have fun Comparing Beach Sand Under The Microscope in the comfort of your living room.
  5. Practice addition, subtraction, and multiplication using seashells as manipulatives, carry them home with you to continue the beach themed math.
  6. Explore the reaction between seashells and vinegar in the Seashell Acid Base Experiment to see what happens.
  7. Find seashells and shark teeth, take along an identification guide and see how many you can name. A waterproof folding book is perfect to toss in your bag.
  8. How to Create a Hands-on Fun Shark Vocabulary Anatomy Activity.
  9. I love a good lapbook as you know and my Seashore Beach Watching Unit Study and Seashore Lapbook is a great way to learn more about everything from the strand line to zones of the ocean and more.
  10. See what causes beaches to erode with the Beach Erosion Project.
  11. Make a sundial with a stick placed in the sand and observe how far the shadows distance moves each hour.
11 Awesome Beach Theme STEM Activities | Quick Sunscreen Painting Experiment

Next read about the science behind sunscreen.

The Science Behind Sunscreen

Before you begin your sunscreen painting, talk about why we use sunscreen and how it protects us.

When we go to the beach or outside and use sunscreen it creates a protective barrier on our skin that blocks most of the sun’s UV rays.

And keeps us from getting a sunburn.

Some of the ingredients in sunscreen reflect the sun’s rays and some absorb the sun’s rays before they can reach our skin.

Recreating a similar effect on paper quickly and easily demonstrates for children how sunblock works in relation to the sun’s UV rays.

For older children you can take it a step further by using different brands or levels of SPF in the sunscreens to see if there is a difference in the papers.

Have your child make a hypothesis as to which brand or number will do the best job.

Check the paper after an hour, two, four, etc. to see if there is a difference in the paper color where there is no sunscreen.

Quick Sunscreen Painting Experiment

Instead of colorful paint this activity kids will be painting with just one color that becomes see through as it dries but it is no less fun and intriguing to your little sun lover.

You will need:

  • Black construction paper
  • Sunscreen
  • Paintbrushes
  • Paper plate
11 Awesome Beach Theme STEM Activities | Quick Sunscreen Painting Experiment

Squirt some sunscreen on a plate and offer your child a couple different sizes of paintbrush.

Place black or dark blue colored paper on the ground, weighing the corners down with stones or something so they don’t blow away.

11 Awesome Beach Theme STEM Activities | Quick Sunscreen Painting Experiment

Encourage your child to paint a scene on the paper, while leaving a good portion of it unpainted so that they can see the obvious color difference later.

11 Awesome Beach Theme STEM Activities | Quick Sunscreen Painting Experiment

Lay the sunscreen painted images out in the full sun with something to weigh them down.

11 Awesome Beach Theme STEM Activities | Quick Sunscreen Painting Experiment

Let them sit for several hours, at least 3-4.

Bring them inside and notice the difference, see how the painted areas are still dark while everything unpainted has faded quite noticeably?

Just like sunscreen protects your skin from the sun’s UV rays it keeps the paper protected and reduces the effects of the sun (color fades in this instance).

The UV rays break down the chemicals in the paper and fade the color.

11 Awesome Beach Theme STEM Activities | Quick Sunscreen Painting Experiment

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: beach, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, ocean, science

Under the Sea Science Activities With Amazing Disappearing Octopus Ink

June 6, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Under the sea science activities can teach your child so much more about the amazing creatures that live below the ocean than any worksheet ever could. Also, you’ll love more ideas on my Oceans Unit Study and Lapbook.

I have always been a hands-on teaching mom, preferring an activity to or in addition to books and papers.

Today I have an amazing disappearing octopus ink science experiment for you and more great under the sea science activities to get excited about.

Under the Sea Science Activities With Amazing Disappearing Octopus Ink

And learn amazing things about the depths by testing saltwater density, watching animals live in action, or creating a memorable ocean themed lapbook.

If you are studying oceans for any length of time a must have reference book for studying undersea science is Ocean Anatomy by Julia Rothman.

I found wonderful illustrations and interesting tidbits about the octopus as well as other ocean creatures inside.

Under the Sea Science Activities With Amazing Disappearing Octopus Ink

Under the Sea Books For Kids

Next, add some of these books to your home library to add to your unit study or just for fun reading.

16 Ocean Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Choose a few of these ocean themed books to go along with your study of the Oceans. Whether you're looking for a spine for a unit study or literature, you'll love this roundup.

Image for The Burgess Seashore Book for Children in color

The Burgess Seashore Book for Children in color

Join Danny Meadow Mouse, Jimmy Skunk, and Reddy Fox as they explore the seashore and take a closer look at the habits and habitats of the creatures they find. Discover the Seahorse, Shrimp, Crab, Anemone, Gull, and so many more.

The Burgess Seashore Book for Children is a wonderful way to introduce young ones to the fascinating world beneath us and is a perfect compliment to earlier books in this series, the Bird, Animal, and Flower books.

This edition is complete and unabridged with all of the beautiful illustrations by W.H. Southwick and George Sutton

Image for Seaside Naturalist: Seaside Naturalist

Seaside Naturalist: Seaside Naturalist

Seaside Naturalist is an illustrated guide to marine plants and animals includes the characteristics of protozoa, arthropods, sponges, mollusks, reptiles, birds, fish, and mammals.

Image for The Big Book of the Blue (The Big Book Series)

The Big Book of the Blue (The Big Book Series)

The book opens by explaining how different types of animals are able to breathe and survive underwater, and the different families to which they belong. Subsequent pages are dedicated to specific creatures, including sea turtles, whales, sharks, stingrays, and seahorses, and show varied life in specific habitats, such as a coral reef or deep sea bed. The Big Book of the Blue also explores the underwater world thematically, looking at animals in danger, learning how to spot creatures at the beach, and discovering how to do our part to save sea life. Beautiful and filled with fascinating facts, young, curious readers won’t be able to tear their eyes away from the page.

Image for Scott O'Dell Set: Island of the Blue Dolphins + Zia

Scott O'Dell Set: Island of the Blue Dolphins + Zia

Island of the Blue Dolphins begins with a young girl named Karana who is living on the Island of the Blue Dolphins (fancy name, right?) with her younger brother, Ramo, and sister, Ulape. One day, a group of Russian hunters (Aleutians) land on the island to hunt for otter. This is when the trouble really begins.

Image for Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau (Underwater Picture Book for Kids)

Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau (Underwater Picture Book for Kids)

Once upon a time in France, a baby was born under the summer sun. His parents named him Jacques. As he grew, Jacques fell in love with the sea. He dreamed of breathing beneath the waves and swimming as gracefully as a fish. In fact, he longed to become a manfish. Jacques Cousteau grew up to become a champion of the seas and one of the best-known oceanographers in the world. In this lovely biography, now in paperback, poetic text and gorgeous paintings come together to create a portrait of Cousteau that is as magical as it is inspiring.

Image for Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas (Illustrated 1875 Edition):

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas (Illustrated 1875 Edition):

A beautiful edition with 110 images from the 1875 English edition. Use Amazon's Look inside feature to compare this edition with others. You'll be impressed by the differences. Don't be fooled by other versions that have no illustrations or contain very small print. Reading our edition will make you feel that you are traveling the seas with Captain Nemo himself.

Image for Swiss Family Robinson (Illustrated Classic): 200th Anniversary Collection

Swiss Family Robinson (Illustrated Classic): 200th Anniversary Collection

More than 100 original illustrations by Louis Rhead. You want to read this book with illustrations.

An introduction by W. D. Howells.

Nicely formatted text in an easy-to-read font.

A beautiful cover from the 1891 edition.

Image for Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia

Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia

Embark on a captivating tour of the waters that cover 70 percent of our planet! See our oceans come to life in mind-blowing detail. This is the ultimate children’s visual encyclopedia about the awe-inspiring blue planet! 

Image for Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist

Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist

How did a nineteenth-century dressmaker revolutionize science? Jeanne Power was creative: she wanted to learn about the creatures that swim beneath the ocean waves, so she built glass tanks and changed the way we study underwater life forever. Jeanne Power was groundbreaking: she solved mysteries of sea animals and published her findings at a time when few of women’s contributions to science were acknowledged. Jeanne Power was persistent: when records of her research were lost, she set to work repeating her studies. And when men tried to take credit for her achievements, she stood firm and insisted on the recognition due to her.

Image for Ocean Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of the World under the Sea

Ocean Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of the World under the Sea

Follow Rothman’s inquisitive mind and perceptive eye along shorelines, across the open ocean, and below the waves for an artistic exploration of the watery universe. Through her drawings, discover how the world’s oceans formed, why the sea is salty, and the forces behind oceanic phenomena such as rogue waves. Colorful anatomical profiles of sea creatures from crustacean to cetacean, surveys of seafaring vessels and lighthouses, and the impact of plastic and warming water temperatures are just part of this compendium of curiosities that will entertain and educate readers of all ages. 

Image for The Fascinating Ocean Book for Kids: 500 Incredible Facts!

The Fascinating Ocean Book for Kids: 500 Incredible Facts!

Do you know a kid who’s captivated by what goes on beneath the ocean’s surface? This amazing entry into ocean books for kids is packed with hundreds of incredible facts for hours of underwater exploration. Pages of full-color pictures feature life in and around the sea including fish, dolphins, and shipwrecks!

Image for All About Bioluminescence: Deep Sea Animals

All About Bioluminescence: Deep Sea Animals

Dive into the mesmerizing world of bioluminescence with "All About Bioluminescence." In this captivating book, readers embark on a journey through the depths of the ocean to discover the extraordinary glow-in-the-dark creatures that inhabit its mysterious realm. From the enchanting sea angel to the infamous anglerfish, each page is filled with stunning illustrations and fascinating facts about these luminous beings.With a focus on deep-sea dwellers, readers will uncover the secrets behind bioluminescence and learn how these creatures use light to communicate, camouflage, and lure prey. But the adventure doesn't stop there! "All About Bioluminescence" also includes hands-on activities like a glow stick experiment, allowing readers to experience the magic of bioluminescence firsthand.

Image for Treasure Island (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels)

Treasure Island (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels)

One of the most enduringly popular adventure tales, Treasure Island began in 1881 as a serialized adventure entitled "The Sea-Cook"in the periodical Young Folks. Completed during a stay at Davos, Switzerland, where Stevenson had gone for his health, it was published in 1883 in the form we know today.Set in the eighteenth century, Treasure Island spins a heady tale of piracy, a mysterious treasure map, and a host of sinister characters charged with diabolical intentions. Seen through the eyes of Jim Hawkins, the cabin boy of the Hispaniola, the action-packed adventure tells of a perilous sea journey across the Spanish Main, a mutiny led by the infamous Long John Silver, and a lethal scramble for buried treasure on an exotic isle.

Image for Oceans and Seas!: With 25 Science Projects for Kids

Oceans and Seas!: With 25 Science Projects for Kids

In Oceans and Seas! With 25 Science Projects for Kids readers ages 7 though 10 dive into the underwater world of some of the most amazing landscapes on Earth. On this amazing underwater adventure, kids experience the ocean’s tropical reefs and spot crabs, sea sponges, and thousands of kinds of fish darting in its crags and folds. They’ll meet a giant squid with eyes the size of dinner plates and an mbrella-like bioluminescent jellyfish.

Image for Discover the Oceans: The World's Largest Ecosystem (Discover Your World)

Discover the Oceans: The World's Largest Ecosystem (Discover Your World)

From both a historical and scientific point of view, above and below the surface, this engaging guide brings the world’s oceans to life through fun facts, illustrations, and in-depth information. Interactive activities appear throughout, ranging from making solar stills and simple fishing spears to experimenting with a homemade diving bell and figuring out how much water it really takes to survive. With the oceans being the least explored environment on Earth, this reference illuminates some of the most incredible and surprising plants and animals as well as how to survive and navigate these vast expanses.

Image for Pagoo

Pagoo

An intricate study of tide pool life is presented in text and pictures through the story of Pagoo, a her-mit crab.

Also, learn why does an octopus shoot out ink.

We are going to investigate and find out at the same time as we learn how to make food coloring disappear.

Two fantastic science investigations rolled into one with a fun ocean theme.

Take some time to do a few of the other ideas listed with your child.

15 Under the Sea Science Activities

  1. First up is my Shark and Oceans for Kindergarten Fun Sight Word Activity. While this is heavily language arts based, building the shark together and talking about the makeup of the shark and what they eat turns it into a science lesson as well.
  2. Find out all about coral chemistry and learn the effects of ocean acidification on coral reefs.
  3. Learn all about the different layers of the ocean from the trench to the sunlight zone with Fun Making Ocean Layers Soap | Summer Activities for Middle Schoolers.
  4. Watch one or more of these Live Aquarium Webcams to see sea creatures in action.
  5. Grab my Free Ocean Lapbook and Fun Homeschool Unit Study Ideas
  6. Include some sensory play into your learning with Ocean Waves in a bottle.
  7. How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe
  8. Learn How do Fish Breathe Underwater Fun Activity & Animal Science Homeschool Curriculum.
  9. Try out the Salt Water Density Ocean Experiments for Kindergarten for kids of a variety of ages and find out what happens to mass in fresh vs. salt water.
  10. A great selection of plastic ocean animals can be used to observe their features up close, to create sensory bins, dioramas, toppers for cakes, and so much more.
  11. Have you ever wondered How Does Sound Travel Underwater? This activity is a simple way to find out!
  12. Making Ocean Layers Soap
  13. Beware of Ocean Pollution: Fun Science Activity for Kids
  14. How to Make a Fun Paper Plate Fish | F is for Fish
  15. Exciting Swiss Family Robinson Activities | From Oyster To Pearl

Before we get into the activity, I have for you let’s dive into how it works so you are ready to amaze and astound your kiddos!

Why Does Bleach Make The Color Fade

Depending on the concentration of bleach and how much you use your ink may fade or completely disappear.

What makes inky water clear up is the sodium hypochlorite in the bleach and that oxidizes the food coloring.

The color molecules remain in the water, but their shape is changed which means that it no longer absorbs and reflects light the same way and loses its color.

Amazing Disappearing Octopus Ink

You will need:

  • Large clear bowl
  • Plastic octopus
  • Water
  • Food coloring
  • Bleach
  • Dropper

First, place your octopus on the bottom of your glass jar or bowl.

Under the Sea Science Activities With Amazing Disappearing Octopus Ink

Fill the container with water until your octopus is completely covered.

Under the Sea Science Activities With Amazing Disappearing Octopus Ink

Add a few drops of food coloring and talk about what happens as the water darkens around the octopus. Why do they do that? How does it help them?

Under the Sea Science Activities With Amazing Disappearing Octopus Ink

The ‘ink’ creates a great veil for them to get lost in, we could barely see him in the water.

Under the Sea Science Activities With Amazing Disappearing Octopus Ink

Now begin adding bleach a few drops at a time until the water, we started with the blue and while it is a fantastic demonstration for how they use it to hide and escape it would not disappear no matter how much bleach we added. 

Under the Sea Science Activities With Amazing Disappearing Octopus Ink

So to demonstrate our disappearing ink experiment a little better we tried it with yellow which has a much more dramatic reaction to the bleach.

Under the Sea Science Activities With Amazing Disappearing Octopus Ink

Add the bleach a dropper full at a time and watch the magic happen.

Under the Sea Science Activities With Amazing Disappearing Octopus Ink

As you add more bleach the yellow begins to disappear almost completely from the water.

Extend the lesson-

Try all the colors to compare the differences, use cold water and also try it with hot water. Was there any difference?

Under the Sea Science Activities With Amazing Disappearing Octopus Ink

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, ink, life science, ocean, octopus, science

How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

May 23, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

We’re making edible beach sand and shells. Also, you’ll love more ideas on my Oceans Unit Study and Lapbook and free Seashore Watching Unit Study and Beach Lapbook.

It’s a fun snack that is a great way to end or even begin a beach unit.

It is almost as fun to make it as it is to eat it, but not quite.

You can do this project just for a fun beach theme.

How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

Also, it makes a great starter for discussions on different colors of ocean water, the different colors and types of sand and what creates that sand.

In addition, you can learn about all the different varieties of seashells.

If you are lucky enough to live near a beach, you can incorporate a field trip to study beach sand up close.

Sigh, it’s a tough job but someone must do it.

Next, look at some of these books about the beach and ocean.

Books About the Beach and Ocean

16 Ocean Books for Kids Who Love to Read and Be Read To

Choose a few of these ocean themed books to go along with your study of the Oceans. Whether you're looking for a spine for a unit study or literature, you'll love this roundup.

Image for The Burgess Seashore Book for Children in color

The Burgess Seashore Book for Children in color

Join Danny Meadow Mouse, Jimmy Skunk, and Reddy Fox as they explore the seashore and take a closer look at the habits and habitats of the creatures they find. Discover the Seahorse, Shrimp, Crab, Anemone, Gull, and so many more.

The Burgess Seashore Book for Children is a wonderful way to introduce young ones to the fascinating world beneath us and is a perfect compliment to earlier books in this series, the Bird, Animal, and Flower books.

This edition is complete and unabridged with all of the beautiful illustrations by W.H. Southwick and George Sutton

Image for Seaside Naturalist: Seaside Naturalist

Seaside Naturalist: Seaside Naturalist

Seaside Naturalist is an illustrated guide to marine plants and animals includes the characteristics of protozoa, arthropods, sponges, mollusks, reptiles, birds, fish, and mammals.

Image for The Big Book of the Blue (The Big Book Series)

The Big Book of the Blue (The Big Book Series)

The book opens by explaining how different types of animals are able to breathe and survive underwater, and the different families to which they belong. Subsequent pages are dedicated to specific creatures, including sea turtles, whales, sharks, stingrays, and seahorses, and show varied life in specific habitats, such as a coral reef or deep sea bed. The Big Book of the Blue also explores the underwater world thematically, looking at animals in danger, learning how to spot creatures at the beach, and discovering how to do our part to save sea life. Beautiful and filled with fascinating facts, young, curious readers won’t be able to tear their eyes away from the page.

Image for Scott O'Dell Set: Island of the Blue Dolphins + Zia

Scott O'Dell Set: Island of the Blue Dolphins + Zia

Island of the Blue Dolphins begins with a young girl named Karana who is living on the Island of the Blue Dolphins (fancy name, right?) with her younger brother, Ramo, and sister, Ulape. One day, a group of Russian hunters (Aleutians) land on the island to hunt for otter. This is when the trouble really begins.

Image for Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau (Underwater Picture Book for Kids)

Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau (Underwater Picture Book for Kids)

Once upon a time in France, a baby was born under the summer sun. His parents named him Jacques. As he grew, Jacques fell in love with the sea. He dreamed of breathing beneath the waves and swimming as gracefully as a fish. In fact, he longed to become a manfish. Jacques Cousteau grew up to become a champion of the seas and one of the best-known oceanographers in the world. In this lovely biography, now in paperback, poetic text and gorgeous paintings come together to create a portrait of Cousteau that is as magical as it is inspiring.

Image for Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas (Illustrated 1875 Edition):

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas (Illustrated 1875 Edition):

A beautiful edition with 110 images from the 1875 English edition. Use Amazon's Look inside feature to compare this edition with others. You'll be impressed by the differences. Don't be fooled by other versions that have no illustrations or contain very small print. Reading our edition will make you feel that you are traveling the seas with Captain Nemo himself.

Image for Swiss Family Robinson (Illustrated Classic): 200th Anniversary Collection

Swiss Family Robinson (Illustrated Classic): 200th Anniversary Collection

More than 100 original illustrations by Louis Rhead. You want to read this book with illustrations.

An introduction by W. D. Howells.

Nicely formatted text in an easy-to-read font.

A beautiful cover from the 1891 edition.

Image for Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia

Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia

Embark on a captivating tour of the waters that cover 70 percent of our planet! See our oceans come to life in mind-blowing detail. This is the ultimate children’s visual encyclopedia about the awe-inspiring blue planet! 

Image for Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist

Secrets of the Sea: The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist

How did a nineteenth-century dressmaker revolutionize science? Jeanne Power was creative: she wanted to learn about the creatures that swim beneath the ocean waves, so she built glass tanks and changed the way we study underwater life forever. Jeanne Power was groundbreaking: she solved mysteries of sea animals and published her findings at a time when few of women’s contributions to science were acknowledged. Jeanne Power was persistent: when records of her research were lost, she set to work repeating her studies. And when men tried to take credit for her achievements, she stood firm and insisted on the recognition due to her.

Image for Ocean Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of the World under the Sea

Ocean Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of the World under the Sea

Follow Rothman’s inquisitive mind and perceptive eye along shorelines, across the open ocean, and below the waves for an artistic exploration of the watery universe. Through her drawings, discover how the world’s oceans formed, why the sea is salty, and the forces behind oceanic phenomena such as rogue waves. Colorful anatomical profiles of sea creatures from crustacean to cetacean, surveys of seafaring vessels and lighthouses, and the impact of plastic and warming water temperatures are just part of this compendium of curiosities that will entertain and educate readers of all ages. 

Image for The Fascinating Ocean Book for Kids: 500 Incredible Facts!

The Fascinating Ocean Book for Kids: 500 Incredible Facts!

Do you know a kid who’s captivated by what goes on beneath the ocean’s surface? This amazing entry into ocean books for kids is packed with hundreds of incredible facts for hours of underwater exploration. Pages of full-color pictures feature life in and around the sea including fish, dolphins, and shipwrecks!

Image for All About Bioluminescence: Deep Sea Animals

All About Bioluminescence: Deep Sea Animals

Dive into the mesmerizing world of bioluminescence with "All About Bioluminescence." In this captivating book, readers embark on a journey through the depths of the ocean to discover the extraordinary glow-in-the-dark creatures that inhabit its mysterious realm. From the enchanting sea angel to the infamous anglerfish, each page is filled with stunning illustrations and fascinating facts about these luminous beings.With a focus on deep-sea dwellers, readers will uncover the secrets behind bioluminescence and learn how these creatures use light to communicate, camouflage, and lure prey. But the adventure doesn't stop there! "All About Bioluminescence" also includes hands-on activities like a glow stick experiment, allowing readers to experience the magic of bioluminescence firsthand.

Image for Treasure Island (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels)

Treasure Island (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels)

One of the most enduringly popular adventure tales, Treasure Island began in 1881 as a serialized adventure entitled "The Sea-Cook"in the periodical Young Folks. Completed during a stay at Davos, Switzerland, where Stevenson had gone for his health, it was published in 1883 in the form we know today.Set in the eighteenth century, Treasure Island spins a heady tale of piracy, a mysterious treasure map, and a host of sinister characters charged with diabolical intentions. Seen through the eyes of Jim Hawkins, the cabin boy of the Hispaniola, the action-packed adventure tells of a perilous sea journey across the Spanish Main, a mutiny led by the infamous Long John Silver, and a lethal scramble for buried treasure on an exotic isle.

Image for Oceans and Seas!: With 25 Science Projects for Kids

Oceans and Seas!: With 25 Science Projects for Kids

In Oceans and Seas! With 25 Science Projects for Kids readers ages 7 though 10 dive into the underwater world of some of the most amazing landscapes on Earth. On this amazing underwater adventure, kids experience the ocean’s tropical reefs and spot crabs, sea sponges, and thousands of kinds of fish darting in its crags and folds. They’ll meet a giant squid with eyes the size of dinner plates and an mbrella-like bioluminescent jellyfish.

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Discover the Oceans: The World's Largest Ecosystem (Discover Your World)

From both a historical and scientific point of view, above and below the surface, this engaging guide brings the world’s oceans to life through fun facts, illustrations, and in-depth information. Interactive activities appear throughout, ranging from making solar stills and simple fishing spears to experimenting with a homemade diving bell and figuring out how much water it really takes to survive. With the oceans being the least explored environment on Earth, this reference illuminates some of the most incredible and surprising plants and animals as well as how to survive and navigate these vast expanses.

Image for Pagoo

Pagoo

An intricate study of tide pool life is presented in text and pictures through the story of Pagoo, a her-mit crab.

Next, look at these facts about beach sand.

Colors of Ocean Water

Because most white pudding still has a yellow tint it is going to make your ocean more green than blue.

This is a great opportunity to understand why oceans run the gamut from blue to green and all shades in between.

  • The oceans are often blue because water absorbs those colors in the red part of the light spectrum. Much as a filter does this leaves behind colors in the blue part of the light spectrum for us to see, showing them as light to brilliant shades of jewel blue.
  • Some oceans appear greener due to the presence of algae and plant life. Photosynthetic organisms contain chlorophyll which looks green. Depending on the type of phytoplankton the ocean may look anywhere from blue green to emerald green.

Also, look at these facts about beach sand.

5 Fascinating Facts about Beach Sand 

  1. Sand is often made from silica but is not a single mineral, rather it is made up of multiple minerals like quartz, feldspar, mica, magnetite, etc. This composition of minerals varies with the region that it is found in.
  2. Sand comes in a rainbow of colors. The variety of colors is because of the composition of minerals and ph levels with other components. Black sand is rich in volcanic ash, white is full of quartz, pink is due to the single-celled organisms called foraminifera.
  3. It takes thousands of years for a single grain of sand to form as larger minerals like quartz go through decomposition and erosion into small fragments.
  4. The Sand Sea, located in the heart of the rich Sahara Desert, is the oldest desert in the world.
  5. The World’s Tallest Sandcastle was Made in Germany and stood almost 70 feet tall.
How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

Next, look at these other beach activities.

Hands-on Beach, Ocean and Sea Shells Activities

  • 5 Tide Pool Facts and Create An Edible Tide Pool Diorama Ideas
  • How do Fish Breathe Underwater Fun Activity & Animal Science Homeschool Curriculum
  • 22 Hands-on Fun Ocean Sea Shell Activities For Teens
  • Celebrate World Reef Day with a Blow Painting Coral Reef Hands-On Activity
  • 10 Edible Beach Crafts For Teens and Make Edible Beach Glass
  • How to Dissolve a Seashell – Beach Hands-on Fun Activity
  • Oceans Unit Study and Lapbook
  • Edible Ocean Layers
  • Egg to Sea Turtle Lesson Plans & Lapbook
  • Quick Unit Study & Easy Salt water Density Ocean Science Experiment
How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

Finally, look at how to make your own edible beach sand and shells.

How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells

You will need:

  • White melting chocolate
  • Seashell silicone mold
  • One package of graham crackers
  • Vanilla pudding
  • Blue raspberry drink packet
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • Food coloring – optional
  • Small paintbrush
How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

First, prepare pudding according to package directions and then stir in as much or little flavoring/color you like.

Now, even though the vanilla pudding is white it does have a bit of a yellow tint to it so when you add the blue, it’s going to turn it a pretty green/teal.

How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

It’s just another discussion on how bodies of water are colored differently and why.

Remember that mistakes or near misses are just great opportunities for discussion.

This gave us an intro to talk about how the ocean water in different parts of the world are very different colors.

Place pudding in the refrigerator to set.

Add graham crackers and brown sugar to either a powerful blender or a food processor.

How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

Pulse until very fine, like beach sand then set aside.

How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

Finally, on to the seashells- you can leave them white or you can buy various colors of chocolate melts, we decided to give them a little bit of color by brushing a small amount of food coloring onto the mold.

How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

Next place your desired amount of melted chocolate in a microwave safe container and heat for one minute ,stir, and then heat in 30 second increments each time until it is completely melted.

How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

Carefully spoon melted chocolate into the seashell molds. You can pop it in the refrigerator if you like to harden it quicker.

How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

Carefully remove each from the mold.

How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

Now all that’s left is assembling your edible beach, grab a shallow bowl and spoon half of your ocean water/pudding on it.

 Sprinkle your graham cracker mixture on the other half for beach sand, slightly overlapping area and then with your edible seashells.

How To Make Your Own Edible Beach Sand And Shells: A Creative And Delicious Recipe

Leave a CommentFiled Under: Hands-On Activities Tagged With: beach, earth science, earthscience, edible, hands-on, hands-on activities, handson, handsonhomeschooling, homeschool, life science, ocean, science, sea shells

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