If you’re a parent, you know the struggle. The sun is blazing, the kids are bouncing off the walls, or maybe it’s a rainy day and you’re desperately trying to avoid another hour of Peppa Pig. You need a win.
And what’s more universally awesome than the ocean? It’s a whole other world down there, full of weird fish, mysterious creatures, and enough sparkle to keep any kid entertained. I’ve gathered 15 of my favorite under the sea activities that have actually worked in my house (read: they require minimal prep and don’t result in a meltdown). Let’s get our feet wet. 🙂
1. Sensory Play: The Ultimate Ocean Slime
I know, I know. Slime. The mere word can make a parent break out in a cold sweat. But hear me out! Ocean slime is different. It’s therapeutic. At least, that’s what I tell myself while I’m picking it out of the carpet.
How to make it work for you:
- The Base: Start with a clear glue base and add blue liquid starch. This gives it that legit water look.
- The Mix-Ins: This is where the magic happens. Throw in some glitter (blue and green), small plastic sea creatures, and those little blue beads they sell for vases.
- My Pro-Tip: Keep a strict “slime stays at the table” rule. I’m not kidding. This is non-negotiable if you value your couch cushions. It’s a fantastic tactile experience, and kids will literally play with it for 30 minutes straight. Ever wondered why slime is so captivating? IMO, it’s the perfect mix of solid and liquid that just breaks their little brains (in a good way).
2. Toilet Paper Roll Octopus
Let’s be honest, this is the classic for a reason. It’s the king of under the sea activities for kids because it uses materials you definitely already have. You’re not making a special trip to the craft store for this one.
Here’s the quick version:
- Take an empty toilet paper roll.
- Let your kid paint it. It doesn’t matter if it’s a masterpiece or a gray blob. It’s art.
- Once it’s dry, cut eight slits from the bottom up towards the middle to create the legs.
- Fold the legs outwards. You can even curl them around a pencil to make them wiggly.
- Glue on some googly eyes and draw a smile.
See? Easy. And honestly, the wonkier the octopus, the more character it has. I’ve kept every single one my kids have ever made. They’re clutter, but they’re sentimental clutter.
3. Egg Carton Angler Fish
Okay, this one is for the slightly older kids (or the parents who enjoy a good craft). The angler fish is nature’s little nightmare, and kids think it’s hilarious.
- The Body: A cardboard egg carton. Cut it so you have two cups attached.
- The Mouth: Cut a slit in one of the cups to make a big, toothy smile.
- The Teeth: Here’s where you can get fancy. Glue in pointed white beads, small shells, or even just cut out little triangles from white paper.
- The Light: That famous glowing lure on its head? A small pom-pom or a bead glued to a piece of string or a toothpick works perfectly.
- The Eyes: Googly eyes. Always googly eyes.
This craft is a great way to teach them about weird sea creatures while keeping them busy. Plus, it’s a fun conversation starter when grandma comes over. “Look what I made! It’s a scary fish!” So proud. 😐
4. DIY Jellyfish in a Bottle
This is less of a craft and more of a physics lesson disguised as fun. It’s also one of those under the sea activities that doubles as a calm-down tool. Seriously, watching the jellyfish float around is mesmerizing for all of us.
What you need:
- A clear plastic water bottle.
- A thin plastic bag (like the ones from the grocery store).
- Water.
- Blue food coloring.
- Scissors.
The steps:
- Cut the handles off the plastic bag, then cut the bottom off so you have a tube of plastic.
- Cut that tube in half, then gather it in the middle and tie a knot with a small piece of the handle. This creates the “head” and the tentacles.
- Fill your bottle with water and add a few drops of blue food coloring.
- Stuff your plastic bag jellyfish in. You might need to push it down with a pencil.
- Screw the cap on tight. Glue the cap shut, I’m warning you.
Now, tip the bottle upside down and watch your jellyfish float to the top. It’s simple science and looks super cool. This activity is a total winner.
5. Shark Fin Pools (for the backyard)
If you have a kiddie pool, you are already halfway there. If you don’t? Well, first of all, what are you waiting for? It’s the best $20 you’ll ever spend. This is peak summer fun.
The Setup:
- Fill up the pool.
- Cut out a shark fin from craft foam or thick cardboard. You’ll need two identical pieces to glue/tape together with a popsicle stick or a skewer in between.
- Let your kids take turns being the “shark,” holding the fin as they “swim” through the water.
It’s ridiculous, it’s simple, and it will lead to hours of screaming laughter. You can even yell, “SHARK ATTACK!” when they come after you with the sprinkler. Active voice wins every time.
6. Ocean Discovery Bottle
This is like the jellyfish bottle’s older, more sophisticated cousin. It’s a way to capture the entire ocean in one container. I love these for road trips or quiet time.
Grab these items:
- A clear bottle.
- Light corn syrup or baby oil.
- Water.
- Blue food coloring.
- Small seashells, glitter, and tiny plastic fish.
The method:
- Fill the bottle about 1/3 full with corn syrup. Drop in your heavier items (shells) here.
- Fill the rest with water and blue food coloring.
- Add your glitter and plastic fish.
- Glue the lid on permanently. I cannot stress this enough.
When you shake it, everything swirls around like a stormy sea, and then slowly settles. It’s a beautiful little world. FYI, the corn syrup slows everything down and makes it look magical.
7. Coffee Filter Puffer Fish
These little guys are just adorable. They’re also a fantastic way to teach kids about color blending and absorption.
Let’s do this:
- Give your kid a plain, round coffee filter.
- Have them color all over it with washable markers. The more colors, the better.
- Let them spray it lightly with a spray bottle filled with water. Watch the colors run and blend together! It’s like instant tie-dye.
- Let it dry completely.
- Once dry, carefully bunch up the center of the filter to make a puffed-up ball shape—just like a puffer fish! Secure it with a pipe cleaner wrapped around the bunched part.
- Glue on a googly eye.
The result is a vibrant, spiky little fish that looks like it’s ready for a party. This is one of those under the sea activities that feels like a magic trick to a preschooler.
8. Salt Dough Starfish
Salt dough is my secret weapon. It’s cheap, it’s easy, and you can make it in about two minutes. It’s the perfect base for so many crafts.
The Dough Recipe:
- 1 cup salt.
- 2 cups flour.
- 1 cup water.
Mix it, knead it, and you’re good to go. Roll it out and let your kids cut out starfish shapes with a cookie cutter or a butter knife. Use a toothpick to add texture and little bumps like a real starfish. Bake them at a low temperature (200°F) for a few hours until they’re hard, or just let them air dry for a day or two.
Once they’re hard, paint them! They make amazing treasures and are so much more personal than anything you could buy at a gift shop.
9. The Easiest Paper Plate Fish
I almost hesitated to put this on the list because it’s so obvious, but then I remembered—obvious doesn’t mean bad. It means classic!
The process:
- Cut a triangle out of a paper plate. That triangle becomes the tail fin! Glue or tape it to the back of the plate on the opposite side.
- Now you have a fish body with a mouth.
- Paint the whole thing.
- Add a googly eye.
- Decorate with glitter, stickers, or those sticky “gems” that kids are obsessed with.
You can hang them from the ceiling and have a whole school of fish swimming through your living room. It’s cheap, it’s cheerful, and it keeps little hands busy. A total win.
10. Bubble Wrap Jellyfish
We all love bubble wrap, right? The pop sound is just… chef’s kiss. But before you pop it all, save a piece for this craft.
What to do:
- Cut a semi-circle out of a piece of cardboard. This is the body.
- Cut strips of bubble wrap and colorful ribbons for the tentacles.
- Glue the tentacles to the straight edge of the semi-circle.
- Let your kid paint the cardboard body. Because it’s bumpy, it gives a cool texture.
- Once dry, glue on some big googly eyes.
The bubble wrap tentacles are super fun for kids to touch and play with. It’s a sensory experience wrapped in a craft project. See what I did there?
11. Mermaid or Pirate Sensory Bin
When all else fails, dump a bunch of stuff in a bin. That’s the motto, right? A sensory bin is a lifesaver on a long afternoon.
You will need:
- A large plastic tub.
- A base: Cooked spaghetti dyed blue, sand, water, or even just dry rice.
- Treasures: Small shells, blue and green gems from the dollar store, plastic gold coins (for pirates), and little mermaid or pirate figurines.
Just put it all in the bin and let them go to town. The mess is contained (mostly), and they will play for ages. I like to add scoops and cups so they can practice pouring and digging. This is less of a structured activity and more of an open-ended invitation to play, which is sometimes the best kind.
12. Handprint Fish
This is less about the final product and more about the memory. It’s also a guaranteed grandparent gift that will end up on the fridge.
Super simple:
- Paint your child’s palm and fingers. Pick one color for the body.
- Press their hand firmly onto a piece of paper.
- Wash their hand immediately. (Pro-tip: do this over the sink).
- Once the print dries, have them turn the thumb into the fish’s eye. They can draw it on or glue a googly eye.
- They can also add bubbles, seaweed, or other fish to the background.
It’s a snapshot of how small they are right now. I have a stack of these from over the years, and they are my favorite things.
13. Learning to Draw Sea Creatures
Not every activity has to be a huge production. Sometimes, the best thing is just sitting down with a piece of paper and a pencil. There are so many great tutorials online (ahem, YouTube) that show kids how to draw a cute shark or a friendly octopus step-by-step.
Why I love this:
- It builds confidence. When they see they can actually draw something recognizable, they feel amazing.
- It’s quiet.
- It only requires paper and a pencil. No glitter. No glue. No mess.
We have a whole collection of “how to draw” papers now, and my oldest loves to teach her younger brother. It’s a beautiful thing to watch.
14. Ocean-Themed Baking or No-Bake Treats
Get in the kitchen! Cooking with kids is always an adventure. It’s messy, it’s chaotic, but the payoff is delicious.
Simple ideas:
- Ocean Jell-O Cups: Make blue Jell-O. Before it sets completely, stick a Swedish Fish or a gummy worm in it. It looks like the fish is swimming!
- Sand Pudding: Crush up some vanilla wafers or graham crackers. Layer it with vanilla pudding. Add a little paper umbrella and you have a beach in a cup.
- Octopus Hot Dogs: Cut the bottom of a hot dog into eight legs. When you boil it, the legs curl up! It’s weird and wonderful and kids eat it up.
Cooking together is a great way to practice following directions and measuring. And you get to eat the results. It’s a win-win.
15. Cardboard Box Submarine
Got a big cardboard box? You are the proud owner of a brand-new submarine.
Let’s build it:
- Tape the bottom flaps shut.
- Cut a hole in the top for them to get in and out.
- Cut smaller portholes in the sides.
- Give them some paint and let them decorate the outside.
- Add some “controls” inside using old yogurt containers or jar lids glued to a piece of cardboard.
This is the ultimate in imaginative play. They can be Captain Nemo, a scientist exploring the deep, or a pirate looking for treasure. A cardboard box can become anything, and watching their imaginations run wild is the best part of parenting. You really can’t beat that.
So there you have it. Fifteen ways to bring the ocean to your living room without having to pack a single beach bag. From simple slime to epic cardboard submarines, I hope you found something that sparks joy (and maybe an hour of quiet time). Now go make some waves!
