Oceans, beaches, and seashells

Since its summer now, and children LOVE swimming and the beach, I thought it would be so fun to bring the "ocean" to us (since we never get to see it here in Utah!).

We kicked off our playgroup with reading The Pout-Pout Fish in the Big-Big Dark by Deborah Diesen.  Its a fantastic book about Mr. Fish wanting to help his friend the Ms. Clam find her lost pearl.  He has to search  the depths of the ocean and overcome his fear of the dark.

The children loved this story and could relate to helping a friend find something that they lost.

We then came over to the picnic table to see how to make your own ocean at home! Its really easy and simple, and the children love playing with it.  

  

 What you need:

• - Empty 2 liter plastic bottle with a lid
• - Clear vegetable oil or mineral oil
• - Water
• - Funnel
• - Blue food coloring
• - Small star fish, shells and other sea creatures
• - Glitter
• - White craft glue
• - Hot glue (get an adult to help with hot glue)

Steps:

1. Wash and dry 2-liter bottle and remove all labels.
2. Fill bottle halfway with tap water.
3. Add a few drops of blue food coloring and swirl around to mix.
4. Add a little glitter.
5. Add sea cratures.
6. Using funnel, fill the bottle the rest of the way with vegetable oil.
7. Make sure the rim and cap are dry, then apply white craft glue around the rim. Seal cap.
8. Have an adult use a layer around the outside edge to keep it from leaking.
9. Turn the bottle on it’s side and gently rock the bottle to create your very own waves!

Our craft was making our own beach using real sand and seashells! First, the kids all received a blank piece of eggshell-colored cardstock. The paper has to be heavy enough to hold the glued seashells and sand.  Next they colored their own scenes with crayons.

On the bottom they put a thick layer of glue and added lots and lots of sand. Good thing we were outside because this gets messy!! 

 And viola! Here is a finished product!!!

This kids absolutely loved this craft! You can buy all sorts of ocean and beach making materials from Hobby Lobby.