Sunken Cities
Craft, Chapter 6 Uncharted, Passive/Display, Low Cost, 02 Teens and Tweens, 45-90 mins
August 10, 2021 0.00 KB 3403 downloads
Explore the mysteries of the ocean floor with this fun program all about ancient (or mythical) sunken cities. Stories of Atlantis and other “lost cities” can be found throughout history, and can be recreated on a small scale in your library today!
Suggested runtime: 60–90 min.
Here Be Monsters - Family Map-Making Night
Craft, Chapter 6 Uncharted, Game/Activity, Outreach, Low Cost, 02 Teens and Tweens, 01 Children, 03 Adults, 45-90 mins, 04 Multigenerational
August 10, 2021 0.00 KB 6053 downloads
Introduce cartography by hosting an all-ages map-making event! Show maps of real and fictional worlds, then let participants create their own. You could have them map their bedrooms, houses, neighborhoods, or towns, or remake a map from a book or movie. Show old maps that depict sea monsters and uncharted areas, and encourage map-makers to add their own fantastical elements to give them a historical nautical feel. See Resources for map elements, backdrops, and coloring sheets. Don’t forget to discuss what a map key is and why it’s important! A fun all-ages event.
Suggested runtime: 60–90 minutes.
Drip, Splatter, Splash - Coral Reef Creations
Craft, Chapter 6 Uncharted, 02 Teens and Tweens, 01 Children, 45-90 mins
August 9, 2021 0.00 KB 4135 downloads
Frequently called “rainforests of the sea,” coral reefs are some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world! They serve as a primary habitat, breeding area, and food source for all types of marine life. Show participants pictures or videos of coral reefs, then discuss what lives there. You might also show on a map where the biggest coral reef in the world, the Great Barrier Reef, is located. Choose from four different craft ideas inspired by the colors, shapes, and creatures of coral reefs. See Printables for an ocean floor coloring sheet.
Suggested runtime: 45–60 min.
Tissue Paper Watercolor
Craft, Chapter 5 An Ocean of Wonders, Low Cost, 02 Teens and Tweens, 45-90 mins
August 9, 2021 0.00 KB 2557 downloads
Participants use tissue paper to create watercolor backgrounds and place an ocean-themed silhouette on top. Easily modified to fit any ocean theme. This craft requires drying time, so be sure to plan a filler activity.
Suggested runtime: 60–90 min.
Light Up Angler Fish
Chapter 5 An Ocean of Wonders, Game/Activity, 02 Teens and Tweens, 01 Children, 45-90 mins, Steam
August 9, 2021 0.00 KB 3309 downloads
Create a circuit to emulate the angler fish’s lure! To ensure that you have enough supplies for an in-library program, be sure to have a sign-up sheet with a limited number of participants. These also make great take-and make kits. See Printables for an angler fish template by Christina Dorman of Maine State Library, Augusta, ME.
Suggested runtime: 60 min.
Great Tentacles! Octopus STEAM
Chapter 5 An Ocean of Wonders, Steam, Outreach, Game/Activity, 02 Teens and Tweens, 01 Children, 45-90 mins
August 9, 2021 0.00 KB 4026 downloads
More than 150 species of octopuses exist in seas throughout the world. Famous for their bulbous bodies, bulging eyes, and eight arms with suckers, these “monsters of the sea” are invertebrates, solitary creatures, and highly intelligent with the ability to camouflage, move in and out of small nooks and crannies, and even the ability to expel ink. These group activities are designed to celebrate the unique cephalopod. You might also contact local marine biologists, aquariums, or other experts on octopuses and see if any can come present at your library.
Suggested runtime: 60 minutes.
3-D Fishbowl Crafts
Craft, Chapter 5 An Ocean of Wonders, Low Cost, 01 Children, 45-90 mins
August 9, 2021 0.00 KB 5471 downloads
In the ocean or in aquariums, let’s talk about fish! Two crafts—an accordion book and a fish tank—are provided
for older and younger children, respectively. Adjust the pictures or create new silhouettes to match any ocean theme.
Suggested runtime: 45–60 min.
Ocean Ecosystem Dessert
01 Children, Craft, Chapter 4 Our Blue Planet, Game/Activity, 45-90 mins
August 9, 2021 0.00 KB 1352 downloads
It’s hard to imagine life on Earth without oceans. The air you breathe used to be an ocean breeze. The water you drink was once in a cloud over the ocean. The ocean is also important to the many species of plants and animals
that call the water their home. This community of organisms is called an ecosystem.
Human-caused climate change is warming our planet, and the oceans are feeling the heat. Plants and animals in the ocean ecosystem are sensitive to changes in the ocean’s temperature. Some organisms can adapt to the change, but others can’t survive the warmer temperatures. Since so much life is dependent on these waters, it’s important to keep the oceans healthy!
Scientists are monitoring the temperature of the ocean with an instrument called the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite. The satellite measures the temperature of the top
millimeter of the ocean’s surface. With this activity, learn to make a cool and tasty version of the ocean ecosystem
at home!
Suggested runtime: 30–90 minutes.
Seven Wonders of the Seven Seas
Outside Presenter, Chapter 3 Seven Seas Infinite Stories, Low Cost, 03 Adults, 45-90 mins
August 9, 2021 0.00 KB 2873 downloads
In this armchair travel program, participants travel to seven beautiful, unusual, or exotic underwater sites around the world. Create a fun and festive atmosphere, as if you were hosting a bon voyage party by offering themed drinks and/or snacks, and playing music representative of the places that you will “travel” to. Create a PowerPoint slideshow or two for each location, highlighting history, geography, culture, or fascinating details. Easily adapted to a virtual program by utilizing screen sharing capabilities.
Suggested runtime: 60–90 min.
Under Construction - Seven Wonders of the Seven Seas
Game/Activity, Steam, Chapter 3 Seven Seas Infinite Stories, 02 Teens and Tweens, 01 Children, 45-90 mins
August 9, 2021 0.00 KB 1825 downloads
In this program, teens build structures based on the New Seven Wonders of the World. They could use candy, veggie sticks and toothpicks, and/or non-edible building materials such as Legos, popsicle sticks, or balsa wood. Choose building materials that work best for your library and patrons. As an icebreaker, run a seven seas taste-testing challenge! Set out seven different flavors of Goldfish crackers (or nori, sea creature gummies, etc.). Participants can try to name the flavors or simply rank their favorites from best to worst. You could also feature one book to go with each flavor. See Printables for a Goldfish coloring sheet for teens who finish both activities early.
Suggested runtime: 60–90 min.
Mythical Sea Creatures - Flipbooks, Bingo, & More!
Craft, Passive/Display, Game/Activity, Chapter 3 Seven Seas Infinite Stories, 01 Children, 02 Teens and Tweens, 45-90 mins
August 9, 2021 0.00 KB 3794 downloads
Participants draw their own versions of mythical sea creatures using fish, human, monster, or animal body parts. Their drawings then get sliced into thirds and compiled into a flipbook. You can also make this into a collaborative drawing game known as Exquisite Corpse, where children add to each other’s drawings without seeing what was drawn before. While the flipbooks get compiled, children can play sea creature bingo, or make mermaid terrariums or painted rocks. The bingo cards would also work in a library scavenger hunt.
Suggested runtime: 45–60 min.
Vision Boards - Dreams as Vast as the Seven Seas
Craft, Chapter 3 Seven Seas Infinite Stories, Passive/Display, Low Cost, 01 Children, 45-90 mins
August 6, 2021 0.00 KB 2804 downloads
Participants learn about vision boards and create one for themselves. Be sure to create a vision board before the
program, or show pictures of different vision boards, to give them ideas! You could cut out images, pictures, and quotes ahead of time, or let participants choose their own from magazines. This could also work as an activity that children complete at home, then bring to the library to share or display. Older children could make bullet journals instead.
Suggested runtime: 45–60 min.
A Day in the Life of an Oceanographer or Marine Biologist
Outdoors, Outside Presenter, Low Cost, 03 Adults, Chapter 2 Explore New Depths, 45-90 mins
August 6, 2021 0.00 KB 1929 downloads
Oceanographers and marine biologists study all aspects of the ocean, from plants and animals, to chemistry and geology, and more! This program allows participants to learn from and interact with professionals in the marine field. If running in person, provide lots of tactile artifacts such as seashells, whale bones, starfish, etc. As a virtual program, the presenter might even be able to walk participants through their work space or field setting.
Suggested runtime: 60–90 min.
Submarine Science
Game/Activity, 02 Teens and Tweens, Chapter 2 Explore New Depths, 45-90 mins
August 6, 2021 0.00 KB 1122 downloads
Submarines are large, powerful vessels that travel underwater. First invented in the early 17th century, they have been used for military missions, tourism, scientific explorations, and more. The secret to submarines is buoyancy, their ability to float in water or air. The ballast tanks of a submarine fill with water to sink the submarine deep into the ocean, or they fill with air so the vessel rises to the surface and floats on water. In this program, participants create a simple submarine out of a plastic bottle to test the water and air ratios needed to achieve buoyancy. Participants can also develop hypotheses on what happens if you fill the water bottle with different liquids, or travel in salt water vs. fresh water.
Suggested runtime: 30–60 min.
Dive In! More Scuba Diving Fun
Craft, Game/Activity, 01 Children, Chapter 2 Explore New Depths, 45-90 mins
August 6, 2021 0.00 KB 1359 downloads
More scuba diving activities! Give a short presentation about amazing divers such as the Haenyeo Divers, Jacques Cousteau, or Eugenie Clark, then lead a discussion. What is the difference between snorkeling and diving? Children can practice “snorkeling” by pinching their noses and breathing through a paper straw for a couple of breaths. Then have children create a cute scuba diver craft (two options provided). For the photo booth, borrow some scuba diving gear from a local enthusiast.
Suggested runtime: 60–90 min.
Sink or Float
Craft, Steam, Game/Activity, 01 Children, Chapter 2 Explore New Depths, 45-90 mins
August 6, 2021 0.00 KB 2471 downloads
This sink or float program can be run in a few different ways. For early elementary or kindergarten prep, discuss sinking vs. floating or show a video. Ask the children to predict if they think a variety of objects will sink or float, then test each one in the tub of water. Discuss and record together. Older children can design their own boats to see which one holds the most weight in water. Other simple craft options include origami boats and tiny cork boats.
Suggested runtime: 30–60 minutes.
Plastic Bag Plant Pot
Craft, 03 Adults, 02 Teens and Tweens, Chapter 1 Discover Treasures, 45-90 mins
August 6, 2021 0.00 KB 1503 downloads
Turn plastic bags into treasure! To reduce the risk of them ending up in our precious waterways, gather patrons to repurpose their plastic grocery bags into yarn for plant pots. This is a simple beginner crochet project. If you don’t crochet, consider enlisting the help of a volunteer instructor, or see the alternate craft options for coasters, reusable bags, and braided flower pots. This is also good for a passive and/or virtual program with take-and-make bags.
Suggested runtime: 60–90 min.
Ocean Treasure Chest or Jewelry Trays
Craft, 02 Teens and Tweens, 45-90 mins, Chapter 1 Discover Treasures
August 6, 2021 0.00 KB 2032 downloads
Where do we stash our treasures? In this program, teens/ tweens decorate either a wooden box to make a treasure chest, or an oyster shell to make a jewelry tray. Offer a variety of paints and napkins/magazines so participants can showcase their own style. See Resources for a coloring sheet they can work on while they wait for their projects to dry. Don’t forget the treasure hunt book display! This program could also be adapted for take-and-make bags.
Suggested runtime: 60–90 min.
Secret Message in a Bottle
Craft, Game/Activity, Low Cost, 02 Teens and Tweens, 01 Children, Chapter 1 Discover Treasures, 45-90 mins
August 6, 2021 0.00 KB 2356 downloads
Decoding secret messages is sure to be a hit with older children and tweens! First they create their secret codes, then
write secret messages to each other. Have them put their secret messages into empty soda bottles for transport.
Suggested runtime: 45–60 min.
Aquanauts - Living on the Ocean Floor
Chapter 6 Uncharted, Steam, Outreach, 03 Adults, 04 Multigenerational, 45-90 mins
August 4, 2021 0.00 KB 1639 downloads
Show the American Experience documentary Sealab (2019) (available on Hoopla, 54 min), which explains the early history of research into living on the ocean floor. Discuss some of the topics shown in the film. Optionally, show online content about the modern deep sea lab Aquarius and/or the proposed Seaorbiter. Discuss the differences between Sealab and Aquarius.
Suggested runtime: 60–90 min.
Ahoy Matey - Talk Like a Pirate Day
Craft, Game/Activity, Outdoors, 02 Teens and Tweens, 01 Children, Chapter 1 Discover Treasures, 45-90 mins
August 4, 2021 0.00 KB 2720 downloads
Celebrate the seafaring life through knotting and pirate talk! This program has several activity ideas. Run a quiz-style game on sailor/pirate vocabulary, modified for age-appropriateness. Make temporary tattoos and set up a sailor’s “tattoo parlor.” Teach a few basic seafaring knots and let participants practice them before running a contest to see who can tie them the fastest. Children can also use basic knots to create one-of-a kind friendship bracelets or reef knot necklaces. Choose whichever games and crafts would best suit your library and audience, or run them all as stations.
This program works well outdoors, and the knot-tying component would be easy to include in take-and-make bags.
Suggested runtime: 45–90 min.