How to Make a Preschool Ocean Activity Using the Sensory Bin

Last Updated on June 1, 2024 by Sheryl Cooper

Inside: It’s so easy to create a preschool ocean activity that includes playful learning! Add aquarium rock, ocean creatures, and nets to a sensory bin filled with water, and you’re set. Super fun!

You know those sensory bins that are so easy to put together, and end up being a favorite? That’s what this preschool ocean activity is all about.

Fishing nets. If you have not tried these with your children, go and do. Really! We picked up a few nets at the pet store along with plastic sea animals. What our preschoolers loved most was seeing just how much they could fit in their nets. They’d compare, empty, and fill again.

How to Make a Preschool Ocean Activity Using the Sensory Bin

Starting at the science table:

We introduced shells at our science table the same week we had this ocean themed sensory bin available. There were shells and magnifying glasses, photos, and ocean discovery bottles.

Our sensory bin is always available during centers time. It’s free choice, meaning they can come and go as they desire.

We don’t place limits on how many can be at the sensory bin. The preschoolers seem to know when it’s getting too crowded, so they move on to something else. If there are quite a few children around the bin, they learn how to work together.

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, water table activities are always popular with our toddlers and preschoolers. I honestly think we could have a water table in the classroom every day and they’d never tire of it. (This is why we offer a water table outdoors every day!)

When putting together sensory bins, we make sure we have at least 4 of the tools available. (In this case, “tools” being fish nets. Other examples are tweezers, cups, spoons, bug tongs, etc.)

I also like to add different textures whenever I can for that sensory experience. I noticed the preschoolers loved holding the shells and small gravel in their hands, and also scooping it in the nets.

If you don’t have an actual sensory table, you can use any type of container that can allow for water play.