• Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Putting The Pretty In Preschool

Finding Beauty In Everyday Early Childhood Experiences

  • About Me
  • Sensory Play
  • Holidays
  • Places
  • Picture Book Themes
  • Growing Things
  • Ocean
  • Contact Me

fish

Ocean Sensory Activities

March 31, 2022 by Annette Kaminsky Leave a Comment

Three fun ocean-themed sensory activities to captivate your little learner. An aquatic rice bin, water tub, and playdough tray are featured.
Three fun ocean-themed sensory activities to captivate your little learner. An aquatic rice bin, water tub, and playdough tray are featured.

_______

Ocean sensory activities are among the most attractive and calming play invitations one could offer. The serene blue water, neutral sand, crisp shells, and fish that add pops of color are eye-appealing and offer many tactile opportunities.

The inspiration for the sensory activities featured in this post is aquatic Easter eggs, repurposed for three learning through play invitations. I was excited to spot the eggs at a local dollar store.

_______

Follow me on Pinterest for more early learning ideas.

_______

Ocean Sensory Activity Supplies

The following supplies will work well in all three sensory activities.

  • rocks in various sizes
  • shells
  • marbles
  • set of miniature ocean creature figures
  • set of aquatic plastic Easter eggs

If it is difficult to find ocean creatures or aquatic plastic eggs, using just one of these ocean sets is fine too. An economical alternative to offer is creatures from toy fishing or dive toy sets. Paper fish could also be substituted.

_______

Ocean Rice Bin

Set up this easy and fun rice-based ocean sensory bin. Aquatic Easter eggs are the highlight of the play invitation.

_______

The base for this ocean bin is white glutinous rice. Its light neutral color is a good contrast for loose parts, so it’s often my go-to choice for a rice bin. The bin for this activity is a round serving tray.

Spread the rice in the bin, and set in the rocks, shells, marbles, ocean creatures, and aquatic eggs.

Little learners will enjoy scooping up and pouring the rice, and putting marble “eggs” and mini ocean creatures inside the eggs. They may discover that the fillable eggs become shakers that make soft sounds when rice is added, or loud sounds when marbles or small rocks are inserted.

Take the opportunity to discuss the names of the ocean creatures, and model them in speech.

_______

Set up this easy and fun rice-based ocean sensory bin. Aquatic Easter eggs are the highlight of the play invitation.

_______

_______

Ocean Water Tub

Set up this easy and fun water-based ocean sensory tub. Aquatic Easter eggs are the highlight of the play invitation.

_______

The bin for this activity is a kitchen tub, commonly used in the foodservice industry. I keep a stack of them around for organizing my current theme supplies, and for sensory activities. When offering a sensory invitation for two or three children to explore at the same time, a bin this size works well.

Water with blue food coloring added is the base. But little learners would be more than happy to explore the supplies in clear water.

Add the same supplies to the tub as used in the rice bin. I added marbles here, but also could have included them in the rice.

This water-based activity offers the same learning through play opportunities as the rice bin does, and little learners can experiment with floating and sinking objects.

Set up this easy and fun water-based ocean sensory tub. Aquatic Easter eggs are the highlight of the play invitation.

_______

_______

Ocean Playdough Tray

Your little learners will love this inviting ocean-themed playdough tray. Good playdough recipes are included in the post.

_______

For another sensory opportunity, the ocean-themed loose parts can be offered in a playdough tray. Set them out in a large party tray, along with turquoise, marbled or plain dough. Add a few ocean-themed cookie cutters and the playdough invitation is ready to go.

Your little learners will love this inviting ocean-themed playdough tray. Aquatic Easter eggs are the highlight of the tray.

_______

Playdough Recipes

The marbled playdough was repurposed from a winter playdough recipe,

A scented jello playdough recipe makes lovely turquoise dough.

_______

Your little learners will love this inviting ocean-themed playdough tray. Aquatic Easter eggs are the highlight of the tray.

_______

The aquatic Easter eggs are the latest addition to my plastic egg collection. If you spot them, you may want to purchase two sets – one for ocean sensory activities, and another to fill with Easter treats.

_______

[Read more…] about Ocean Sensory Activities

Filed Under: Easter, ocean, playdough, preschool, pretend play, sensory Tagged With: eggs, fish, playdough, rice bin, sensory bin, sensory play, sensory tray, water play

Primary Sidebar

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!

Instagram

puttingtheprettyin.preschool

St.Patrick’s Day Playdough Tray #StPatrick’s D St.Patrick’s Day Playdough Tray
#StPatrick’s Day #HappyStPatricksDay #playdoughtray #sensorydough #playdough #handson #tactileplay #preschoolactivity #homeschoolpreschool #Edmontonblogger #Canadianblogger #Canadianteacher #teacherblogger #celebratetoday #green #yellow #homemadeplaydough #playdoughfun #greenandgold #kindergarten #puttingtheprettyinpreschool
St. Patrick’s Day Pretend Play Tablescape #StPa St. Patrick’s Day Pretend Play Tablescape

#StPatricksDay #shamrocks #pretendplay #dramaticplay #playkitchen #preschoolactivities #kindergartenactivities StPatricksDaydecor #earlylearning #playideas #tablescapes #tablescapestyling #StPatrickstheme #StPatricksDayparty #puttingtheprettyinpreschool
Easy Setup Polar Bear Small World Easy Setup Polar Bear Small World
Beautiful spray paint snowflake silhouettes for an Beautiful spray paint snowflake silhouettes for anyone who is having a snowy last week of February like we are. 😊. #snowflakesilhoettes #snowflakes #snowflakeart #spraypaint #spraypaintart #spraypaintartist #foodcoloring #prek #kindergarten #littleartist #outdooractivities #outdoorart #easyart #colorfulart #colofulartwork
Penguin-Themed Pretend Play Tablescape Penguin-Themed Pretend Play Tablescape
A little sunburst heart art activity using skin to A little sunburst heart art activity using skin tone pencil crayons. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ #heartart #sunburst #pencilcrayonart #ValentinesDayart #blackhistorymonth #valentines #earlylearning #preschoolart #kindergartenart #artclass #artclassroom #puttingtheprettyinpreschool #pencilcrayons #skintones #skintone #artsupplies
A dessert restaurant dramatic play center perfect A dessert restaurant dramatic play center perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Llama-Inspired Winter Sensory Bin Llama-Inspired Winter Sensory Bin
Chinese Lunar New Year Sensory Tub Chinese Lunar New Year Sensory Tub
Chinese New Year DIY Decorating Chinese New Year DIY Decorating
Chinese New Year Sensory Bin Chinese New Year Sensory Bin
Winter-themed treasure blocks add interest to smal Winter-themed treasure blocks add interest to small world play. ❄️❄️❄️

#treasureblocks #blockplay #wintertheme #penguin #penguins #polarbear #polarbears #northern #northernCanada #Antarctica #looseparts #loosepartsplay #winterplay #puttingtheprettyinpreschool
This craft is popular on my Pinterest account righ This craft is popular on my Pinterest account right now. Link in profile leads to the New Year’s Craft blog post post with ideas for crafts and free printables to download.  #NewYears #NewYearsEve #newyearsactivities #newyearscrafts #2023 #ringinthenewyear #newyearcountdown #handprintcraft #newyear2023 #puttingtheprettyinpreschool #freeprintables #preschoolprintables
Have a few candy canes around? Try this super easy Have a few candy canes around? Try this super easy candy cane science experiment.  #candycanes #scienceexperiment #candyscience #Christmasactivitiesforkids #kidsscience #kidsscienceexperiments #candycanetree #treeart #puttingtheprettyinpreschool #preschoolscienceexperiment
These trees make a simple but showy last minute ar These trees make a simple but showy last minute art project.  #Christmastrees #Christmastreedecorating #treepaintings #treeart #treeartwork #easyart #prettytrees #monochromaticart #monochromaticpainting #kindergartenart #preschoolart #littleartist #littleartists #funwithpaint #pastelcolors #puttingtheprettyinpreschool
A spicy gingerbread playdough lets children experi A spicy gingerbread playdough lets children experience all the smells. This  no cook recipe let’s early learners help from start to finish. Recipe is on the blog. Link in profile leads to the post.  #gingerbread #gingerbreadplaydough #homemadeplaydough #loosepartsplay #Christmasplaydough #puttingtheprettyinpreschool #handsonplay #gingerbreadcookies #gingerbreaddecorating
Five festive Christmas sensory bins perfect for ho Five festive Christmas sensory bins perfect for holiday celebrations! Link in profile leads to the blog posts. 🎄🎁 🎄🎁🎄 #ricebins #Christmassensoryplay #Christmasplay #earlylearning #Christmaspartyideas #December #playislearning #playideas #playideasforkids #holidayvibes #Christmasvibes #Christmastime #prek #kindergarten #kindergartenclassroom #kindergartenactivities #prekclassroom #handsonlearning #puttingtheprettyinpreschool
Nine ideas for CD Case Christmas crafts that doubl Nine ideas for CD Case Christmas crafts that double up as blocks for block play. Link in profile leads to the blog post. 🎄⛄️🦌

#CDcaseart #DIYblocks #Christmascrafts #snowmancrafts #Christmastrees #treeart #Christmasbling #creativecrafts #snowmen #reindeer #Christmascrafting #craftsforkids #puttingtheprettyinpreschool #teacherofig #instateacher #prekteacher #eyfsideas #earlylearning
Remembrance Day everyday object printed poppy beca Remembrance Day everyday object printed poppy because “We Remember.”

#RemembranceDay #weremember #WeRememberThem #poppyart #printmaking #printmakingart #easyart #funart #meaningfulart #preschoolart #kindergartenart #artforkids #keepingkidsbusy #puttingtheprettyinpreschool
Have you ever heard of orange or yellow watermelon Have you ever heard of orange or yellow watermelon? They are featured in creative snacks in this watermelon-themed video. Link in profile leads to the blogpost.  #creativesnacks #watermelonsnacks #funsnacks #easysnacks #healthysnacks #watermelon #sunflowers #fruitskewers #popsicles #watermelonpopsicles #puttingtheprettyinpreschool #preschoolsnacks #teacherofig #iteachprek #iteach
Load More Follow on Instagram

Subscribe Via Email

Recent Posts

  • Bunny Rice Bin March 26, 2023
  • Ombre Bunny Art March 25, 2023
  • St. Patrick’s Day Playdough Tray March 16, 2023
  • St. Patrick’s Day Pretend Play March 15, 2023
  • St. Patrick’s Day Light Table March 14, 2023
  • Shamrock Leaf Print Art March 12, 2023
  • Squeegee Painting Heart Art March 10, 2023
  • Salad Spinner Heart Art February 27, 2023
  • Eye Dropper Heart Art February 26, 2023
  • Polar Bear Small World February 22, 2023

Categories

Topics

block play bunnies Chinese New Year Christmas Christmas craft Christmas tree colors dramatic play Easter eggs fall flowers Happy New Year hearts holiday jewelry keepsakes leaves leprechauns light table loose parts New Year's Eve painting paper crafts playdough pretend play printables process art pumpkins rice bin scented playdough science experiment scissor skills sensory bin sensory play sensory tray shamrocks skeletons spiders spring St. Patrick's Day sunflowers tablescapes Valentine's Day water play

Copyright © 2023 · Lifestyle Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in