August Activity Calendar

 Under the Ocean is the theme behind the August Activity Calendar. Most times I do not have a specific theme but instead follow seasonal activities. However, August is a tricky month. August is the beginning of school for some parts of the country whereas August is in the middle of the summer for others. An ocean theme is the perfect marriage between these two. You can end your school year or start off your school year with with a beach/ ocean theme. These activities can work for you either way! The crafts are suitable for ages 2-7 whereas the lesson ideas are suitable for preschool - prekindergarten.  

Seashells Math

Do you have any seashells from a recent beach trip? If not, do not fret! You can purchase an assortment of seashells from the Dollar Tree for only $1. If you are feeling a little DIY you can make your own seashell patterns from cardstock or construction paper. Arrange the shells from smallest to largest. Younger children can group the shells by size or by color. Practice writing numbers on the shells. Use dry erase marker to write numbers on the top of each shell. Clap, stomp or move your body according to the number written on the shell. 

Edible Shark Slime

Children of all ages will enjoy making this edible shark slime by the Homespun Hydrangea. Regular slime recipes call for chemical agents to create the slime consistency. This edible slime is not the same as the real thing but will still provide several minutes of play. 

Tape Resist Chalk Art  

Try your hand at freestyle drawing ocean shapes. Outline the the shape using tape. Color in the sections using chalk. Color the sections heavily with chalk. Remove the tape to reveal a great design! Click the title link for some inspiration. 

DIY Popsicles

You can purchase store bought popsicles but there's no fun in that!! There are so many ways you can make your own popsicles at home. You can use regular juice or make your own juice with Koolaid or juice mix. Pour the juice mixture into an ice tray once you have decided on the juice you are going to use. Measure the amount you will need for the ice tray section and pour this amount into a small cup. Your child can pour the juice into the ice tray section. Repeat this process until all of the sections are filled. Do not worry if the section overflows. You can pour the excess out later. Alternatively, you can set up the juice and ice tray as a transfer station for your little one to practice their fine motor skills. Place the juice in a cup and provide your child with a dropper or turkey baster. Encourage your child to fill each section of the ice tray. 

DIY Slip N Slide  

I created a slip n slide for my son's 3rd birthday party. This was one of the best ideas ever. The internet has tons of DIY slip n slide tutorials so I figured I would try it out to see if it is as easy as everyone says. It totally is!!! Purchase a tarp and several bottles of baby soap. I used 2- 6x8 tarps and purchased 3-28 oz bottles of baby wash for my slip n slide. Inspect the area where you are placing the tarp. Make sure theres no rocks or debri that can puncture the tarp. This step took the longest as I didnt realize my yard has tons of rocks!!!!! Lay down the tarp and allow it to get wet by the water hose. Then place the soap onto the tarp starting from the top and let it drizzle down. The tarp will not work with just water. You will need either baby soap or baby oil. I used baby soap so the soap would not burn if it got into the little's eyes. Its also cheaper than babyoil unless you get it from a Dollar Store. I recommend rinsing the soap from your child after playing with the slip n slide. Dried soap can be itchy!!! 

Narwhal Headband Craft

Dive into your ocean unit with the unicorn of the sea; i.e. the Narwhal.  The craft has a single child option, multi-child option as well as a coloring page. This craft does not include a tiny of small pieces to cut out. You can even color and cut the coloring page to use for your headbands.  Mamas are already busy. We do not have time to precut anything!!! This is a cute, simple and fast craft that will satisfy any wiggly toddler or preschooler. 

Watch the tutorial for this easy craft. Get your Narwhal Craft here!

Paper Plate Jelly Fish Cutting Activity 

Cut a paper plate in half. Use a hole punch to make holes at the button of the jelly fish shape. Tie yarn or string into the holes. Make a knot on the string connecting to the paper plate. Provide your child scissors to cut the strings. 

Alternative activities

Strings may be hard to cut for beginners. Make a playdough jelly fish instead for your child to practice. Cutting playdough is easier since its a soft texture. 

You can glue paper strips onto the paper plate instead of string.  

SunFlower Investigation

Take a walk in your neighborhood and pick some sunflowers. Take the sunflowers home. Use tweezers to take them apart to identify its parts. Use a magnifying glass to get a closer look at the sunflower. 

DIY Kinetic Sand

Kinetic sand can be purchased but where's the fun in that?!!! Sand can be purchased at the dollar store and the rest of the ingredients are probably already at home. Refrain from using this recipe if you have a child who is still in the taste testing phase.  

DIY Cloud Dough (play sand) 

Just 2 ingredients: flour and oil. Use cooking oil to make a taste safe version. Other wise you can use baby oil. A small batch uses 4 cups of flour to 1/2 cup of oil. Double it to 8 cups of flour and 1 cup of oil for a larger batch.

I like to bake the flour before handling it to 350 degrees for 10 minutes to kill any harmful bacteria. 

Put the flour in a bowl and add the oil. You can mix with a spoon until you can mix any longer. Then knead for a minute or 2 with your hands. It takes less than 15 from start to finish (10 minutes to prep the flour, 5 minutes to form the dough)

Your children will enjoy making this healthy Cucumber Boat Snack by Natural Beach Living. 

Love pudding? This snack idea is for you. Create your own ocean in a cup with this ocean pudding snack by Mommy Made That. 

Cuteness OVERLOAD!!! Simple Everyday Mom has a handprint crab craft that will be so adorable on your fridge. 

Have a mermaid fan? Create a Mermaid Themed Cookie Pizza by A Magical Mess. 

Sensory bottles are a great calming agent for children and adults. This Jellyfish in a Bottle is a stem project as well.

Ocean Themed Sensory Bags

Sensory bags are a mess free option for sensory play and can introduced to children who are months old. 

Be careful using shells as some shells have hard corners and make pierce the bags.

I like to use zip top bags. I use 2 bags for durability. I seal the top of the bags using masking tape. I added blue food coloring to clear water beads. 

For a hide and seek bag, tape a picture of ocean animals to the back of the bag. Invite your child to identify the animals in the picture. 

Music and Movement 

Baby Shark is an iconic song that definitely has its place in history and in this lesson plan idea post!!!! Sing this familiar song and pair it with the hand motions. 

There are tons of "Five Little" songs out there. It would be remiss if the ocean failed to have such song. Five Little Fish Swimming in the Sea is a cute addition to your song collection. Kissoup even has a free printable for the puppets. 

Play a game of "Shark Says"or formerly known as Simon Says. Create a social-emotional connection by encouraging children to reenact emotional motions. An example; say, "snap your claws like an angry lobster."

Don't Soak the Shark and other Shark Themed games

Free Printables 

Number Order Sand Dollar Activity - This activity is intended for K-2 students. However, it can be adapted to younger children by making it a color by number activity. 

 Other Beach and Ocean Resources 

Childcare Lounge Ocean and Beach Theme 

Toddler Approved Shark and Water Themed Fun