Tangram Fish
02 Teens and Tweens, 01 Children, 15-30 mins, Chapter 5 An Ocean of Wonders, Game/Activity, Low Cost, Passive/Display
August 9, 2021 0.00 KB 4568 downloads
A tangram is a puzzle in which different designs can be made by arranging geometric shapes. This can be a passive program, a filler for another program, or a game where the fish get progressively more difficult.
Suggested runtime: 30 min.
Oceans of Fun Trivia
03 Adults, 01 Children, 04 Multigenerational, 15-30 mins, 02 Teens and Tweens, Game/Activity, Low Cost
August 9, 2021 0.00 KB 3793 downloads
Give patrons a chance to learn and share how much they know about the ocean! For a virtual program, use Zoom (or any other live instruction format) and the virtual quiz platform, Kahoot! (or any other sequential presentation software). A Jeopardy-style game would also work well, especially for libraries whose patrons don’t all have access to their own devices. This makes a fun family program. See Printables for quizzes for all age groups.
Suggested runtime: 30 min.
Water Cycle Relay Race
01 Children, 02 Teens and Tweens, 15-30 mins, Chapter 4 Our Blue Planet, Game/Activity, Outdoors
August 9, 2021 0.00 KB 2347 downloads
This game helps patrons learn about the water cycle with a fun relay race that uses water cycle vocabulary. First describe the steps in the water cycle and show how it works. This game was originally created by Utah State University Water Quality Extension.
Suggested runtime: 30 minutes.
Plastic Pollution
01 Children, 15-30 mins, Chapter 4 Our Blue Planet, Craft, Game/Activity
August 9, 2021 0.00 KB 1520 downloads
A program about the human impact on our waterways and oceans due to the global plastic trash crisis. Globally, plastic is the most abundant type of marine litter. Plastics are so abundant because they take so long to break down. Begin a discussion about what we use and dispose of that is plastic, i.e. straws, plastic cups, shampoo bottles, flip-flops, toys, pens, etc. Discuss microplastics, which include toothpaste, makeup, fleece, etc. Microplastics
are small (less than 5 mm in diameter) but deadly to marine life. Activities adapted from “Talking Trash & Taking Action” by the Ocean Conservancy & NOAA Marine Debris.
Suggested runtime: 30 min per activity.
Catch! The World's Oceans
01 Children, 15-30 mins, Game/Activity, Craft, Chapter 4 Our Blue Planet
August 9, 2021 0.00 KB 1477 downloads
Children get to know each other through a fun activity that introduces the importance of water on Earth. This can be run as an icebreaker or a short program on its own. First, ask them to guess how much of the earth’s surface is covered by water (71%). During the game, children toss a soft Earth (such as an inflatable ball or stuffed globe), noting with each catch whether their index finger touches ocean or land. The record keeper tracks the tally, and
you can determine the ratio as a group after the game is over.
Estimated runtime: 30 minutes.
Virtual Reality (and Virtual) Ocean Tours
02 Teens and Tweens, 15-30 mins, Chapter 2 Explore New Depths, Game/Activity
August 6, 2021 0.00 KB 1044 downloads
Not able to take a real dive in the ocean? Host a virtual reality diving adventure to get up close to shipwrecks, coral reefs, and marine life! Optionally, screen virtual tours without the VR components. YouTube has many virtual (and
virtual reality) ocean tours from all over the world. This short program is a great one to combine with any simple craft or trivia game. You could also make it a party with ocean-themed snacks.
Suggested runtime: 30 min.
Animal Crossing - New Horizons Island Hop
02 Teens and Tweens, 15-30 mins, Chapter 1 Discover Treasures, Game/Activity, Low Cost
August 4, 2021 0.00 KB 1518 downloads
Animal Crossing: New Horizons has tons to explore on land and in the ocean! Invite patrons to visit library staff islands for treasures, games, freebies, and more! Make this a one-island journey, or more, if multiple library staff have islands to play. A fun social game for making friends. This is also a good program to use as filler at the end of other programs.
Suggested runtime: 15–30 min.