- Catch the Fish
Materials:
- Small plastic fish or rubber duckies (numbered or colored)
- A small inflatable pool or large bin filled with water
- Toy fishing rods or nets
Rules:
- Fill the pool or bin with water and float the fish.
- Each child takes a turn using a rod or net to catch a fish.
- You can assign points or prizes to certain colors or numbers.
Prize: Small fish toys, ocean stickers, or bouncy balls.
- Jellyfish Limbo
Materials:
- A limbo stick (can be a pool noodle)
- Jellyfish decorations hanging from the stick (streamers or ribbon)
Rules:
- Kids line up and take turns walking under the jellyfish.
- Each round, lower the stick.
- Anyone who touches the jellyfish is out (or just say “tickled by tentacles” and let them try again for younger kids).
Prize: Glow bracelets, sea creature stamps, or slap bracelets.
- Seashell Treasure Hunt
Materials:
- Plastic or real shells (some marked with stars or letters)
- Sand, shredded paper, or sensory bin filler
- Buckets or small pails
Rules:
- Hide shells in a bin or sandbox.
- Let kids dig for a set number of shells.
- Specially marked shells earn a bigger prize.
Prize: Mini treasure chests with chocolate coins, shell necklaces, or sea-themed erasers.
- Feed the Shark Toss
Materials:
- Large cardboard shark mouth cutout
- Bean bags, fish plushies, or rolled-up socks
Rules:
- Set up the shark with a wide-open mouth as a target.
- Kids take turns tossing fish into the shark’s mouth from a set distance.
- You can give 3 tries per turn and keep score if you like.
Prize: Fish squirters, mini sea puzzles, or gummy shark candy.
- Octopus Ring Toss
Materials:
- Octopus cutout or plastic bowling pin with tentacles (or a beach ball on a stand)
- Rings (can be glow rings or pool rings)
Rules:
- Kids stand a few feet back and toss rings over the octopus.
- Each successful toss wins a small prize or earns points.
- Optional: Multiple octopuses for team play.
Prize: Ocean slap bracelets, bubble tubes, or toy sunglasses.
- Underwater Obstacle Course
Materials:
- Hula hoops (swim through rings)
- Streamers (seaweed crawl)
- Pool noodles (wave jumps)
- Cones or chairs for weaving
Rules:
- Set up a course that kids go through one at a time.
- Include sea creature plushies they must rescue or treasure they must collect.
- Time them for fun or just cheer them on.
Prize: Medals, pirate eye patches, or inflatable fish.
- Mermaid or Pirate Freeze Dance
Materials:
- Ocean-themed playlist
- Bluetooth speaker
Rules:
- Play music and have kids dance like sea creatures, mermaids, or pirates.
- When the music stops, they freeze.
- Anyone caught moving has to sit one round or do a silly sea creature pose.
Prize: Mermaid stickers, shell rings, or glitter pens.
- Ocean Animal Charades
Materials:
- Cards or slips with ocean animal names (like dolphin, crab, jellyfish)
Rules:
- Each child picks a card and acts out the animal without speaking.
- Others guess what they are.
- Perfect for ages 5+ or with parent help for younger kids.
Prize: Stamps, bath toys, or a gummy sea creature.