MAKE THIS A "YEAR OF THE OCEAN" Theme

Did you know that seventy percent of our planet Earth is covered by ocean? There is a mysterious and beautiful world down by the seashore. Gather your group and together celebrate this "Year of the Ocean" theme at your center using the activities below.

MAKE A ROOM "OCEAN BLUE":

Make your room "ocean blue." Cover your windows with blue cellophane. Create your underwater world with hanging fish, scattered seashells and other sea creatures for decorations. Check out books and videos about ocean life---they're entertaining and educational too!!

FISH, FISH AND MORE FISH:

Make mobiles to hang in your room by drawing different shaped fish on pieces of cardboard. Cut these out and paint them in bright colors. Add detailed patterns with black markers. Punch a hole at the tops and thread the fish with ribbons, yarn or string onto a clothes hanger at different lengths. Hang this from the ceiling.

Create baggie fish to hang or decorate the walls. Crumple a sheet of colorful tissue paper. Use a black marker to make designs that replica scales, an eye, and so on. Glue on sequins or faux jewels, anything that can be glued on for sparkle. Now, stuff the paper fish into a plastic sandwich bag. Gather the opening and secure it closed with the twist tie about three inches from the body to form a tail fin.

Design magic fish pictures with the use of a white crayon. Draw fish shapes (or other sea creatures) using the white crayon on white paper. The shapes will be almost invisible. Have the kids brush a water diluted food color wash over the entire paper. (Mix food color drops into a small bowl of water until you have a vibrant color) Voila, magical fish!!

SEA GAMES:

THE "SEA SAYS"

There is a lot of ocean motion under the sea. Play "the sea says" just like Simon Says. Here's a list of the different sea creatures and how they move.
1. Wiggle like an eel.
2. Walk sideways like a crab.
3. Jiggle like a jellyfish.
4. Crawl with arms and legs like an octopus.
5. Fly like a seagull.
6. Bark like a seal.

Think of other motions as you play this game!

Tania Cowling
Associate Editor/ EverydayTLC Online