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0ctopus Theme Activities

April 20, 2020 by Annette Kaminsky 2 Comments

This post has been updated to include a free downloadable octopus template.

The octopus is a fascinating creature with no shortage of unique characteristics. The sea animals make a cheery topic for early learning activities. And after learning a few surprising facts about them, your family may even choose one for a pet!

Octopus theme facts, crafts, and small world play. The stunning feature art activity uses kitchen supplies. Art and science fun with learning for all ages.

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Follow me on Pinterest for more activities.

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Ten Fast Octopus Facts

  • Octopuses have 8 long arms with hundreds of tiny suction cups on them called suckers. Octopuses can feel, smell, and grab food and objects with them. They grow back an arm if they lose one.
  • Octopuses are very smart. They can solve simple puzzles and mazes. They take things apart. They have good memories.
  • Many octopuses prefer living on the ocean floor in deep waters. A few live in shallow waters.

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Octopus habitat.

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  • Octopuses live alone in dens they make or in shells they squeeze into and pull over themselves. They have no bones in their bodies, so they can fit into small spots.
  • Two large bulging eyes help octopuses see very well.
  • Having blue blood helps octopuses keep warm in colder water.
  • Crawling is the easiest way for octopuses to get around. Their hearts stop beating when they swim, which is much more tiring. They can also crawl on land.
  • Most octopuses are shy and solitary. An exception is the California two-spot octopus, which is not as afraid of people.
  • Octopuses squirt out a blackish, poisonous ink at animals that want to eat them. The ink makes the water dark and irritates the predators’ eyes. It also hurts their sense of smell and taste.
  • Camouflage is their specialty. Octopuses can change color and texture quickly so they look like the plants and rocks around them. They also use color to stand out or communicate with other octopuses. Some hues they can transform into are grey, brown, pink, blue, or green.

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California Two-Spot Octopus

Because of its striking eyespots underneath its real eyes, the California two-spot octopus is a standout. In a neutral surrounding, this octopus can look greyish with yellow spots. The false eyes range from lighter to darker shades of blue.

The California two-spot lives in shallow waters, so many people have seen one. This crustacean is friendlier than other octopuses and can make a good pet.

Click here for pictures and an informative article about this well-known octopus.

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California Two-Spot Octopus Art

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You will need:

  • cardstock paper octopus
  • yellow, blue, and metallic grey dot paint dabbers
  • black permanent felt pen

Trace and cut out a cardstock octopus. Feel free to download the template below to use for the project.

Download this free octopus template for art and craft projects.

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Octopus PrintableDownload

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Invite your early learner to draw eyes and a smile on the octopus with the felt pen. Ask your little one to decorate the octopus to look like the California two-spot using dot paint dabbers.

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Textured Octopus Craft

This painted, shiny pink and yellow octopus has neutral Toasted O’s suction cups.

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Octopus art activity using supplies easily found in the kitchen. An all-ages art activity.

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Your early learner can decorate a similar one with an easy-to-make, taste-safe paint using kitchen supplies.

Supplies To Collect:

  • white corn syrup
  • food coloring
  • Toasted O’s cereal
  • baby food jars
  • paintbrushes
  • spoons
  • cardstock paper octopus
  • black permanent felt pen
Invitation to paint an octopus with taste safe paint. An all=ages activity.

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Cut out an octopus pattern and ask your early learner to draw on a smile with the felt pen. (The downloadable octopus printable will work well for this craft too.)

Help your early learner mix a squirt or two of food coloring into a little white corn syrup poured into baby food jars.

Invite your little one to paint the octopus.

Octopus art activity using supplies easily found in the kitchen. An all-ages art activity.

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Afterward, your early learner can push craft eyes and Toasted O’s suction cups into the tacky paint to complete the project.

Octopus art activity using supplies easily found in the kitchen. An all-ages art activity.

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View a video tutorial for the Octopus Craft.

Octopus craft using taste safe ingredients.

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Octopus Sensory Tub

Your little one can help design and play in this simple sensory tub. The tub is a repurposed flying saucer sled.

Invitation to add cheerios cereal to a painted octopus. All supplies for this craft are easily found in the kitchen. An all-ages art activity.

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The sensory tub includes:

  • rocks, shells, and marine plants
  • an octopus figurine
  • other sea creatures such as a sea turtle, crab, and stingray fish
  • transparent gems

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Although shy and mysterious in the wild, octopuses have heaps of talent and spunky personalities. Would you consider having one for a pet?

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You may also like:

Sea Star Activities And Facts

Sea star theme activities for early learners. Art, sensory, and math activities featured. Sea star facts and links to resources included.

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Activities With Sunflowers

Art, nature and sensory activities with a variety of sunflowers and their parts.

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Pumpkin Playdough Activities

Pumpkin playdough recipe and activities. Pumpkin, squirrel, and dinosaur themed playdough activities.

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Don’t forget to share this post on Pinterest or your favorite social media channel. Sharing is caring!

Octopus theme facts, crafts, and small world play. The stunning feature art activity uses kitchen supplies. Art and science fun with learning for all ages.

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© Annette Kaminsky April 20, 2020

Follow me on social media for more ideas:
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Filed Under: art, ocean, science, sensory Tagged With: ocean, octopus, painting, tastesafe, water play

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alexia Browning says

    August 17, 2020 at 1:54 pm

    I love how you’ve combined octopus art with some interesting facts! I love your ideas!

    Reply
    • Annette Kaminsky says

      August 17, 2020 at 2:25 pm

      Thanks Alexia. Octopuses are such interesting subjects.

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Annette Kaminsky. I am a preschool teacher who loves to share easy and fun early learning activities. Thanks for visiting my blog. Feel free to stay awhile!

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