Lesson 246 (Expanded & Enhanced)
Grade Level: Preschool
By: Chris, Preschool Teacher

Objectives

Students will:

• Explore the textures, colors, and sounds of a simulated ocean environment.

• Develop fine- and gross-motor skills through scooping, pouring, straining, and digging.

• Build science vocabulary related to oceans (sand, shells, waves, animals, saltwater).

• Use imaginative play to explore ocean life.

• Practice turn-taking, sharing, and cooperative play.

Materials

• Sand/water table

• Clean play sand

• Water

• Blue or green food coloring

• Salt (to make “saltwater”)

• Small seashells

• Scoops, shovels, strainers, funnels

• Buckets or small pails

• Plastic ocean animals (fish, crabs, starfish, turtles, sharks, dolphins)

• Optional: smooth rocks, sea glass stones (plastic), plastic seaweed, ladles, basters

Plan (Enhanced Version)

1. Prepare the “Ocean”

• Fill one side of the table with wet sand and the other with saltwater (water + a few tablespoons of salt + blue or green coloring).

• Mix the sand slightly with tinted water to create a realistic tidal zone look—muddy, swirly, ocean-like.

• Add shells, stones, and ocean animals throughout both sections.

2. Introduce the Exploration

Gather children and briefly show:

• A real shell (if available)

• A plastic ocean animal

• What the water feels like (“This is salty water, just like the ocean!”)

Introduce vocabulary:

• ocean, waves, sand, shore, saltwater, shell, sea animals, tide.

Ask a question to start curiosity:
“What do you think we might find hiding under the sand?”

3. Let Children Explore

Allow children to freely:

• Scoop and pour water

• Dig in the sand for shells and animals

• Strain out water to “rescue” ocean animals

• Build a “beach,” “island,” or “underwater cave”

• Create “waves” by gently moving the water

Encourage conversation:

• “How many shells did you find?”

• “Is the water smooth or squishy today?”

• “Can you make a home for the crab?”

4. Add a Simple Learning Prompt (Optional)

Rotate prompts daily to extend learning:

Science prompts:

• “Does the sand feel different when it’s dry vs. wet?”

• “What sinks? What floats?”

• “Where is the water darker? Why?”

Math prompts:

• Count shells

• Sort animals by size

• Fill and compare bucket amounts (full, half-full, empty)

Literacy prompts:

• Identify the first sound of animal names (“F-f-fish!”)

• Match plastic letter tiles to ocean objects (“S is for shell!”)

✨ Optional Extensions

️ Extension 1 — “Make a Wave Bottle” Craft

Fill small clear bottles with:

• Water

• Blue food coloring

• A little oil

• A few tiny shells

• Glitter (optional)

Kids shake and watch the waves move.

Extension 2 — Book Connections

Read-aloud suggestions:

• Commotion in the Ocean

• Rainbow Fish

• Over in the Ocean

• A House for Hermit Crab

Follow with sensory-table “story reenactments.”

Extension 3 — Saltwater Painting

Use saltwater + blue watercolor to make ocean art.

Comments

Children LOVE the realistic “ocean water” when sand mixes with blue/green coloring—creating swirls that mimic real waves and tidal mud. They stay engaged for long periods, often creating imaginative stories with their animals.

This activity is especially effective on cold winter days, providing a warm, beach-like sensory escape!