• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds

  • Home
  • Start Here
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Printables Terms of Use
  • Subscribe!
  • Printables
    • Free Printables
    • Classroom Organization Printables
    • Circle Time Printable Packets
    • Fall Printable Packets
    • Themed Printable Packets
    • Fine Motor Printable Packets
    • Dramatic Play Printable Packs
    • Literacy and Story Time Printable Packets
    • Color Recognition Printable Packets
    • Winter Printable Packs
    • Spring Printable Packets
  • Preschool
  • Toddlers
  • Lesson Plans
    • Preschool Lesson Plans
    • Toddler Lesson Plans
You are here: Home / summer activities / Printable Toddler and Preschool Ocean Theme Circle Time Props

This post might contain affiliate links. Click here for more information. Thanks for visiting!

Printable Toddler and Preschool Ocean Theme Circle Time Props

May 16, 2021 by Sheryl Cooper

Share
Pin
Tweet
Email

Inside: This toddler and preschool ocean theme circle time activity works on color and number recognition and simple counting. Download the free printable and make your own props!

If you’re looking for ways to get your toddlers and preschoolers engaged during your ocean theme circle time, you will love this free printable!

The fish printable can be turned into stick puppets that the children can hold while listening to related books and songs.

Then, add some counting with the numbered fish that are also included in this set.

Bonus if the prop can also be used as a table activity during centers time!

Scroll down towards the bottom of this post to find the link to the free download.

ocean theme circle time props

 

Props during circle time.

Do you use them?

I admit it took me years to discover their value.

Meanwhile, I was struggling to keep my young students’ attention during circle time.

It wasn’t until perhaps my third year of teaching that I tried adding visuals (flannel board, puppets, magnetic board, etc.) and saw a huge difference.

I was able to hold their attention longer by having these props.

In fact, I talk about it in this video.

My circle time basket always includes props!

When I had to teach virtually in 2020 and part of 2021, I was fortunate to already know the benefits of props.

For each theme I sent home a packet that included at least one stick puppet that the children could hold in front of the screen.

They loved that they were holding the same thing that I was, too!

So, when we returned to the classroom, I continued to create props that can be turned into stick puppets.

We used them the same way we did through the screen, except now we are together in the classroom.

And, thanks to my devoted readers who made this request, I have also started creating numbered props.

ocean theme circle time props

 

Printable Toddler and Preschool Ocean Theme Circle Time Activity

This printable set comes with plain colored fish and numbered fish.

The plain fish can be used as stick puppets and also for color recognition activities.

Add counting and number recognition to your circle time by using the numbered fish.

Using the Plain Colored Fish

Fish Stick Puppets

What you will need:

  • Popsicle sticks or Jumbo Craft Sticks
  • Laminator
  • Scotch tape
  • Printable fish prop (scroll down to find the link) – you will be using the plain colored fish. Set aside the numbered fish for a separate activity.

I suggest either printing these on heavy paper or laminating them for extra durability.

Make enough copies so that you have one fish stick puppet for each student and yourself.

ocean theme circle time props

After cutting out each fish (make sure you have enough for each child), tape them to the end of a popsicle stick.

Once the children are situated, hand them each a fish stick puppet and we use them while singing fish songs and reading fish books.

ocean theme circle time props

Who has the same color?

Turn this into a color matching activity!

Make sure you have two of each color, and a complete set for yourself.

Each of your students will be holding different colored fish stick puppets.

As you hold up each color, ask the children who also has this color fish.

When the children with that color hold their fish stick puppet up in the air, have them find the friend with the same color.

For example, if you hold up a red fish, the children who also have a red fish will hold their stick puppets in the air and notice the other friends with the same color fish.

Extension:

These colored fish can also be used as an independent activity at the table!

  • Make two copies of the colored fish.
  • Keep one copy whole and cut around the flowers of the second copy.
  • Match the fish by color.

ocean theme circle time props

ocean theme circle time props

Numbered Fish

Add some simple counting and number recognition to your circle time using the numbered fish in this set.

ocean theme circle time props

Cookie Sheet Prop

This is one of my favorite ways to display smaller pieces during circle time!

I purchased a cheap small cookie sheet and spray painted it white. (But you don’t need to do this part. Completely optional.)

Make sure to copy the fish on to heavy paper. Laminating the fish makes them more durable.

Then, add a magnetic piece on the back of each fish and display on the cookie sheet.

I use this as a visual while we sing ocean songs that involve counting, as well as books.

I also keep this available during centers time as an independent activity.

beach and ocean theme

Ocean Playlist

preschool ocean songs

More Ocean Ideas

Art: Spool-Stamped Fish Art

Sensory: Ocean Sensory Bin

Science: Ocean in a Bottle

Counting: Ten Little Fish

Literacy: Fish Alphabet Matching

 

ocean theme circle time props


 

Toddler and Preschool Ocean Lesson Plans

We’ve done the work for you! We now have interactive thematic lesson plans for toddlers (18-36 months) AND preschoolers (3-5 years)!

I helped create these lesson plans along with a talented group of early childhood educators and home schoolers.

Easy to follow lesson plans include activity modifications and adaptations to meet the needs of all learners.

These activities come in a digital format. That means after you make a purchase, the links to the activities will arrive in an email.

For more information, click on the graphics below:

toddler lesson plans ocean

preschool lesson plans beach and ocean

Share
Pin
Tweet
Email

Filed Under: Circle Time, Colors, Math, preschool, Preschool Math, Printables, summer activities, Toddler Math, Toddlers Tagged With: circle time, ocean, preschool, printables, toddlers

About Sheryl Cooper

Sheryl Cooper is the founder of Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds, a website full of activities for toddlers and preschoolers. She has been teaching this age group for over 20 years and loves to share her passion with teachers, parents, grandparents, and anyone with young children in their lives.

Previous Post: « Fun and Easy Toddler Dinosaur Art: Making Footprints!
Next Post: Toddler and Preschool Ice Cream Dramatic Play »

Primary Sidebar

You can also find us here!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Looking for something specific?

Categories

Welcome! I'm Sheryl Cooper, teacher of 2 and 3 year olds for over 22 years. Read more about me here!

More Printables!

preschool printables

Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds is a participant in Amazon Associates.

preschool printables

preschool printables

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds · Privacy Policy