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Every year our preschool class learns about ocean life. Sometimes I teach the topic using the letter “O is for Ocean.” Other years, I build the day around the letter U and teach it as “U is for Under The Sea.” Either way, it is so much fun – especially with this under the sea fizzing sensory activity!
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This preschool lesson includes anOcean Paper Plate Craftthat little children just love to make, teamed up with this ocean fizzing activity. As we are winding down at the end of school, I read them the adorable story “The Pout Pout Fish [A Pout Pout Fish Adventure]” It makes for a perfect day.
Adorable children’s story about The Pout Pout Fish
You know how children love surprises? Well, there definitely are surprises built into this sensory experience. The children will each discover a hidden treasure inside their own baking soda ball [how-to make them below] that you have placed in the sensory bin. Just give each student a squirt bottle filled with white vinegar, tinted blue with food coloring. Have them squirt their baking soda ball until it dissolves, revealing a little plastic undersea animal toy,which they can keep.
Think about it. This under the sea fizzing experience introducesthem to basic chemistry – vinegar, when it meets baking soda, FIZZES! Of course, before you are finished, add water to the bin to let them play.Kids LOVE to play with the toys in the bin.
Now, don’t be overwhelmed by all the parts to this activity. It is so easy to put together and worth every bit of the effort. Your kids will love it!
Overview: you will build an “oceanscape” with sea creatures for your students to observe, touch and play with. They will also discover what happens when vinegar mixes with baking soda (FIZZ!!!)
FUN Letter O is for Ocean fizzing sensory experience for kids! #kidsactivities #preschool #sensoryplay Can also be used for Letter U is for Under the Sea Click To Tweet
Supplies
baking soda “rocks” that you will make
baking soda (large box)
towels
smocks
The bin that we previously used for acolored ricesensory table was perfect for this activity. It is actually a garment storage container that has wheels (wheels are NOT necessary but it just has them) and a lid.
You’ll want to protect your floor.Wepurchased and inexpensiveplastictable clothmeant for a sea themed birthday party. It was a beautifuldrop cloth for this activity. A plastic shower curtain liner would work just as well.
Scoop dry baking soda into a large mixing bowl.
NOTE: One 8 oz. baking soda box will yield approximately 3 baking soda balls.
Gradually add water till it is a consistency that can be molded into balls.
Place a plastic sea creature toy or small sea shell inside the baking soda ball and mold it with your hands like you would a snow ball.
Gently place it on a tray to dry.
For effect, you may want to use a sea shell to imprint the outside of the damp baking soda rock.
Allow them to dry for at least 24 hours till hard.
Note that you still will want to handle them gently.
Vinegar Squirt Bottles
These plastic condiment bottles will be filled with white vinegar and a couple of drops of blue food coloring.
How To Set Up Your Ocean Scene
Spread the table cloth/drop cloth on the floor.
Put the empty plastic bin on top of it.
Arrange river rocks, glass gems and sea shells around the bin.
Stage plastic sea animals all around.
Time for your children to come in and see!
*To keep the vinegar smell off their clothes, cover them in a big t-shirt or smock with sleeves.
** Be sure to use full strength white vinegar. Cleaning vinegar is diluted and will not give the fizz effect that you are looking for.
Now, gently place baking soda rocks in the dry bin.
Give ablue tinted,vinegar filled condiment bottle to each child.
Have them squirt a rock and see what happens.
This is the science part! Baking soda + vinegar = fizz
Watch it fizz and see the look of delight on their faces!
After a while, the plastic sea creature will “emerge” from the rock.
Now fill the dish pan with cool water and gently pour it into the bin.
Let them play and have fun!
O is for Ocean Paper Plate – Bottle Cap Craft for Kids
Enjoy!
