The Ocean
Welcome to Ocean Week!
Build an ocean with sea creatures to rescue for this week's sensory play, make paper plate jellyfish and go to an aquarium.
Book and Rhyme of the Week
Read the beautifully written Storm Whale with your toddler, then check out our rhyme of the week: 10 Little Fishies
Sensory Play
Make an ocean sensory box full of sea creatures for this week's ocean theme.
Start with gelatin or vege-gel and follow the instructions on the pack! It was the first time I'd tried using it and I was impressed by how simple it was and how quickly it set!
When it's still liquid, add in any plastic sea creatures you have. Don't have sea animals? Not to worry, any plastic animals you have around the house will do as long as they don't have holes in their bases.
When it's set leave out for your toddler to play with! I also put some netting from a pack of fruit around some sea animals for my toddler to rescue.
Prefer a video? Watch the guide here!
Arts and Crafts
F or this week's ocean themed arts and crafts make paper plate jellyfish.
- ️ Get a paper plate and draw a wiggly line on it
- Cut it out along the line - stack 2 plates so you have 2 plates the same size
- Cut out strips of tissue paper. This selection of colourful tissue paper is great!
- Turn the paper plate the other way round and put dots of PVA glue along the bottom of the plate. Attach tissue paper to these dots
- Put your second plate over the first so you don't end up with glue everywhere
- Turn the paper plate over and paint the plate
- Want some extra ideas? Add eyes to your jellyfish or string at the top so your toddler can make them jump
Don't have paper plates? Any cardboard will do
Don't have tissue paper? Use coloured paper or yarn!
Full video guide is up on my Instagram page here.
Active Play
Your active play idea for this week's ocean theme is to go and spot some fish!
Aquariums are expensive so how about checking out a marine fish shop if there's one near you and some of the big pet stores have tropical fish to see.
Next Week's Theme
What You'll Need for Next Week's Theme
Next week you'll need:
- Sellotape or sticky back plastic
- Measuring tape
- Cardboard rolls
If you have some duplo, like this set here, then that will be useful too!