Backyard Ocean Outdoor Activity for Kids

Submitted by
Wade Wojcak

Got a kiddie pool? Send your kid on an ocean expedition right in his own backyard with this fun outdoor activity.

Kiddie pool
Water and garden hose
Plastic fish, sea shells, seaweed:
Grab seaweed—which works particularly well—at your local health food store. (While you're there, pick up some sushi for dinner. Might as well continue the theme!)
Plastic soda bottles
Pen and paper
Empty milk or juice carton
Scissors
Plastic wrap
Duct tape or two rubber bands
A handful of dirt or sand

Help your child make his underwater viewfinder. To begin, cut off both ends of a juice or milk carton, leaving the body intact.
Tear off a piece of plastic wrap big enough to cover the opening on the bottom of the carton.
Tape it on with the duct tape or simply secure it with rubber bands.
Have him make a message in a bottle to toss into his ocean. Ask him what secret message he wants to put into the bottle. If he's old enough, he can write it down himself. If not, transcribe it for him and stuff it into the bottle. Get him to toss a little dirt or sand in there so it sinks.
Fill the kiddie pool with water.
Have your child toss in all of his sea creatures—plastic fish, seaweed (dried seaweed expands underwater), the message in a bottle and anything else he deems seaworthy.
Tell your child to take a look under the sea by dipping the plastic-covered end of the viewfinder into the water. It may not be akin to discovering the remains of the Titanic, but hey, it's the closest thing to snorkeling without flying to the Cayman Islands.