100+ Under the Sea Preschool Theme Ideas with Activities

This is the perfect time to learn about the ocean with your preschoolers! There are many fun things to explore and discover with an under the sea preschool theme this year. Get ready to explore all the ocean zones and the unique plants and animals that live in the ocean.

Under the Sea Preschool Theme

Ocean activities for preschoolers are a great way for children to learn about the ocean environment! Find easy and fun ideas for preschoolers here.

You’ll love these favorite ocean storytime suggestions, under the sea crafts, themed snack ideas, and under-the-sea activities! Keep reading to get in on all the fun with your preschoolers. Let’s dive deep into learning with a fun under-the-sea theme!

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Preschool Under the Sea/Ocean Animal Theme Activities

Are you looking for new and exciting activities to do with your preschoolers that incorporate a fun under the sea theme? Look no further!

This year, why not try out an ‘under the sea’ themed week (or even two!) full of ocean-themed activities!

We’ve been exploring this theme a lot over the years and have developed some seriously awesome crafts and activities specifically tailored to preschoolers.

Read on to discover all the incredible ideas we’ve collected – from layers of the ocean coloring pages to ocean themed art projects; you’re sure to find something your kids will enjoy!

Books for an Under the Sea Preschool Theme

Reading aloud to your preschoolers is a great way to encourage them to use their imaginations! It’s the number one way to help kids build important early learning skills and develop an understanding of the world around them too.

These under the sea theme books for little learners are the perfect way to begin exploring the salty seas with your preschoolers. To get started, let’s dive right into these books about sharks, crabs, fish, and seahorses. Your preschool learners will love the engaging characters in these picture books, and you might get some giggles along the way too!

Ocean Themed Books for Kids

Fish Everywhere by Britta Teckentrup

Clark the Shark by Bruce Hale

Bloom by Julia Seal

You’re a Crab by Jenny Whitehead

Mister Seahorse by Eric Carle

Add the non-fiction books below to your preschool science center for kids to explore during under the sea activities too. They’re sure to spark all kinds of ocean-themed learning!

Ocean! Waves for All by Stacy McAnulty

Secrets of the Sea by Evan Griffith

Shark Lady by Jess Keating

Ocean Anatomy by Julia Rothman

The Big Book of the Blue by Yuval Zommer

Preschoolers are endlessly curious, and what better way to pique their interest than with books about the underwater world and the creatures that inhabit it? From whales to jellyfish, there is an abundance of sea creatures to explore and learn about.

By introducing preschoolers to these fascinating animals through books, we can inspire a love for the ocean and an early appreciation for the importance of protecting marine life. As they flip through the pages and soak up the colorful illustrations, they’ll begin to develop an understanding of the unique environments these creatures call home. Join us on a journey into the ocean’s depths and discover the sea’s wonders together!

Under the Sea Theme

Get ready to dive into a world of fun with our Under the Sea Preschool Theme! This exciting theme is perfect for little ones fascinated by the ocean and all the creatures that call it home. Our preschoolers will love exploring the colorful coral reefs, meeting playful dolphins and whales, and even pretending to be mermaids or pirates.

With this theme, we’ll help your child learn about the sea and its wonders while developing important skills like counting, letter recognition, and socialization. So join us for a deep-sea adventure that your child won’t forget!

How do you Teach Under the Sea to Preschoolers?

Teaching about the seas and sea life can be as simple or complex as you want to make it. Oceans cover nearly 71 percent of the Earth’s surface. And they contain almost 98 percent of all the water on Earth.

The sea is a large body of saltwater connected to oceans, often partially surrounded by land. There are many incredible creatures living in the sea and various cool plants and animals called marine life.

Hands-on Under the Sea Activities for Preschoolers

Using fingerplays, songs, and rhymes is a fun way to increase vocabulary, teach new words, and learn the rhythm of language. Preschoolers can also develop motor skills by performing the movements with each of these under-the-sea activities.

Check out these:

Baby Shark by Pinkfong

Row, Row, Row Your Boat by Super Simple Songs

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Once I Caught a Fish Alive by LooLoo Kids

Ocean Activities For Preschoolers: Fun And Easy Activities

Under the Sea Theme Preschool Games

Games make excellent hands-on under the sea activities to add to your under-the-sea preschool theme or lesson plan. You can use preschool games to add movement, practice gross motor skills, encourage healthy physical activity, and more! One of our favorite under the sea activities is Sharks and Minnows.

To play this fun preschool game, you’ll need one or a few children to play the sharks. The rest of your kids will be minnows. Sharks should stand in the middle of the floor or outdoor space. Designate safe edges for minnows to stand at the beginning of the game.

When it’s time to begin, the minnows will try to cross from one side to the other through the middle without being tagged by a shark. Any minnows tagged by a shark become a shark too.

The remaining minnows compete in the next round until only one minnow is left. The last minnow to escape the sharks is the winner.

Under the Sea Preschool Activities

Are you looking for fun indoor under the sea activities you can use to encourage exploration and imagination?

Go on an under-the-sea treasure hunt and search for items such as starfish, sea glass, or small seashells.

Exploring the mysteries of the deep sea has always been fascinating, and going on a treasure hunt underwater only adds to the excitement. From the vibrant coral reefs to the open ocean’s dark depths, an entire world is waiting to be uncovered.

Whether you’re looking for starfish or hunting for treasure, the undersea world is rich with hidden gems.

On this adventure, you’ll have the opportunity to discover unique items such as sea glass, small trinkets, and other valuable treasures. So, grab your scuba gear, dive into the unknown, and start hunting for your undersea treasure!

Talk about the way water moves and what happens to animals when the tide changes

Water is a constant presence in our lives, and it moves in fascinating ways. One of the most noticeable movements is the tide, which occurs twice a day due to the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun.

The water recedes and unveils the shore’s rocky formations during low tide.

When high tide hits, water can easily submerge previously uncovered areas.

This affects various underwater creatures’ lives, from crabs hiding under rocks to fish swimming with the current, constantly adapting to the ever-changing environment. It’s truly remarkable how such a natural phenomenon can impact ecosystems and animal behaviors, reminding us of the intricacies of our world.

Math and Literacy Activities for an Ocean or Under the Sea Theme

Seashell Exploration

Fun and creative ideas for seashell science activities because they are full of cool shapes and textures.

Check out this easy letter matching and or spelling idea with seashells. It’s a fantastic idea to add for a language activity.

Count with sea shells, add, multiply, subtract… Shells are a great addition to any math center or hands on activity.

Sensory Bin Ideas for Under the Sea/Ocean Week

I’m a big fan of sensory bin activities for preschoolers because they give kids an opportunity to learn and explore by using multiple senses. It’s the perfect way to engage in lots of different learning styles!

Exploring the vast and mysterious ocean is a fascinating experience for young minds. An excellent way to introduce children to marine life is through sensory play.

Creating a sensory bin is an incredibly simple and enjoyable activity that can keep kids engaged for hours. Fill a shallow plastic container with a variety of ocean items, such as seashells and pebbles. Add different textures, such as sand, water, and seaweed, to give children an opportunity to explore and enhance their sensory skills.

Sensory bins are an excellent way to encourage curiosity and imagination in kids, making it a fun educational activity for the whole family.

Check out these ocean sensory ideas for the under-the-sea preschool theme play your children will love. Add a water pollution sensory bin you can use to educate your preschoolers about the need to protect our oceans and frozen under the sea activities to explore climate change with preschool learners too.

Add play dough to your day with fun sea life toys or sea shells for an added hands on activity.

Free Under the Sea Preschool Lesson Plan

Under the Sea Crafts

Get Creative with Under the Sea Crafts

Under the sea crafts are a fun way to help preschoolers develop fine motor skills. Grabbing a crayon or paintbrush develops the muscles that will later help preschoolers use zippers, buttons, and tie shoes. Plus, it’s a great first step to developing the tripod position your preschoolers will use to write their names.

Check out these amazing under the sea crafts to get started exploring the ocean with your early learners this school year. 22+ Awesome Shark Crafts and Activities are a great place to learn about these ocean creatures. They pair nicely with lessons about Eugenie Clark, the Baby Shark Song, and Clark the Shark storybook.

Don’t miss these Ocean crafts for a great place to start learning about ocean conservation and the sea turtles who depend on it.

Great under the sea theme ideas like paper scrolling art, simple crafts, and science experiments can all be found here 25+ Sea Turtle Crafts and Activities.

Under the Sea Art Projects

Have fun with art projects inspired by ocean themes – draw seahorses or use markers to make a coral reef mural

Let’s dive into the world of ocean-inspired art! Whether you’re an experienced artist or simply looking for a fun activity, drawing seahorses or creating a coral reef mural with markers can be an exciting journey.

The intricate details on a seahorse or the vibrant hues of a coral reef can be fascinating to recreate on paper. Not only is it entertaining, but it’s also a great way to learn about the ocean and its inhabitants. You might even discover new facts about seahorses or gain an appreciation for the conservation of coral reefs.

So grab your art supplies, let your creativity flow, and enjoy ocean-inspired fun!

Study the Layers of the Ocean

Here is an excellent free Ocean Unit Study for Kids. If you want a LARGER, more in-depth unit study, or a more extensive variety of activities, CLICK HERE for this AMAZING OCEAN SCIENCE UNIT.

Marine life is a fascinating world that captures the imagination of both children and adults alike. There are so many different species and habitats to explore, and it’s important that we teach our children about the importance of conserving these ecosystems. One fun way to engage kids in learning about marine life is to take them on a field trip to an aquarium or marine center, where they can observe the incredible diversity of marine species.

Additionally, books and documentaries can be great resources for learning about the different creatures that inhabit our oceans.

Educating our children about marine life can instill a sense of wonder and appreciation for the natural world and inspire them to become stewards of our oceans.

Tips for Creating a Safe and Engaging Learning Environment For Preschoolers

Young children learn best in a safe, caring, and supportive environment. It is so much fun to create an environment for your students.

First, you should ensure the space is safe and clean for the children to play and learn. Next, ensure that your activities and materials are age-appropriate and engaging for the children.

Creating and sticking to a routine will also help your young learners feel secure and comfortable. Lastly, building positive relationships with your students and their families will help ensure your classroom is a happy and respectful environment.

Following these tips can create a safe and engaging learning environment to help your preschoolers develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.

Under the Sea Snack Ideas

Adding snacks to match your Under the sea preschool theme is a fun way to help kids remember all the cool things they’re learning. Plus, it’s the perfect opportunity to encourage picky eaters to try new things.

Keep reading to check out some amazing under-the-sea ideas for snack time to enjoy with your preschool learners this year.

These Under the Sea Snack Ideas aren’t just perfect for an under the school preschool theme; they are also great for birthday parties and playdates. Get the kids involved in making memories in the kitchen with some fun recipe ideas: shark suckers, octopus cupcakes, and cucumber boat snacks.

If you’re looking for something a bit more grab-and-go, try a few of these easy under-the-sea ideas available at your local grocery store:

Goldfish Crackers
Swedish Fish
Gummy Sharks
“Ocean Water” (Blue drink mix)

Exploring the mysterious and exciting underwater world is a great way to encourage imagination and exploration among preschoolers. With these fun indoor ocean activities, you can introduce them to a world of sea creatures, treasure hunts, water movement, stories about mythical creatures, art projects, and so much more.

Have your little one put on their ‘ocean explorer’ hats as you set out on these fun adventures together – the only limit is the creativity of your young explorers! Make sure to check out our preschool themes and preschool activities for more ideas that will make learning into playtime. And don’t forget to ask questions, discuss what you find along the way, and most importantly, have fun!

Preschool Ocean Themed Activities

I bet you’ve got a lot of awesome under the sea preschool theme ideas and activities I didn’t mention. Share your favorite preschool under the sea activities and ideas in the comment section. I can’t wait to read them and try a few with my preschool learners.