30+ Ocean Sensory Play Ideas

We are fortunate to live relatively close to the ocean. In less than an hour’s drive we can be dipping our toes in the cold Pacific Ocean if we choose.

Visiting the ocean is a great way to teach kids about the ocean. And visiting an aquarium is a delightful way for them to learn about the animals that live in our oceans.

But you can also teach your kids about the ocean without ever leaving home simply by trying out some of the awesome ocean sensory play ideas below!

Note: For more ocean-related resources, please see my ocean unit study page.

What is sensory play?

Sensory play is, quite simply, play that stimulates the senses.

This includes the five main senses of touch, smell, sight, taste, and sound, as well as the two not-as-frequently-mentioned senses: vestibular (sense of balance) and proprioceptive (sense of where each body part is in relation to the rest).

Sensory play is an important part of many early childhood programs. In particular, sensory bins are frequently used to stimulate children’s tactile sense as they engage with a wide variety of physical materials that may be soft, rough, slippery, wet, cold, etc.

You can make a simple sensory bins with just one or two materials that kids can scoop and pour. Or you can create a more elaborate experience based on a particular theme, such as the ocean or the beach.

While a lot of sensory play can be messy, it is possible to provide your children with engaging sensory play experiences that do not involve lots of clean up. Consider creating a sensory bag or a sensory bottle for some no-mess sensory fun.

I hope you’ll be inspired by the awesome ocean-themed sensory ideas below.

Awesome Ocean Sensory Bins

Frozen ocean sensory fun from Simple, Everyday Mom

Ocean ABCs sensory bin from Fantastic Fun and Learning

Frozen ocean sensory fun from Simple, Everyday Mom

Icy ocean sensory bin from Little Bins for Little Hands

Ocean sight word sensory bin from Happy Toddler Playtime

Frozen under the sea sensory bin from Natural Beach Living

Ocean sensory bins from Gift of Curiosity

Ocean sensory bin from Living Life and Learning

Simple ocean sensory bin from Fun-A-Day!

Super simple ocean sensory bin from Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds

Under the sea sensory bin from Natural Beach Living

Ocean sensory bin from Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds

Ocean water play from Danya Banya

Ocean small world play to teach about the dangers of plastic in the ocean from Finding Myself Young

Ocean Sensory Play

Ocean slime from Little Bins for Little Hands

Ocean moon dough from STEAM Powered Family

Ocean slime from Simple, Everyday Mom

Ocean small world on a mirror from School Time Snippets

Ocean Sensory Bags

Ocean life sensory bag from Natural Beach Living

Ocean sensory bag from Homeschool Preschool

Ocean in a bag from Gift of Curiosity

Ocean Animal Sensory Play

Sea turtle life cycle sensory bin from The Chaos and the Clutter

Shark Bay sensory bin from Taming Little Monsters

Shark sensory bin from Mommy’s Bundle

Ocean creature discovery bottle from Preschool Inspirations

Ocean Sensory Bottles

Ocean in a bottle from Simple, Everyday Mom

Ocean sensory bottles from Happy Toddler Playtime

Ocean discovery bottle from The Chaos and the Clutter

At the beach nature sensory bottle from The Chaos and the Clutter

Beach and Shell Sensory Play

Beach small world play from Fantastic Fun and Learning

Beach sensory bin from Mommy’s Bundle

Sea shell sensory bin from Mama Smiles

Sea shells sensory bin from My Bored Toddler

Beach and ocean squish bag from Fantastic Fun and Learning

More Ocean Learning Resources

More ocean posts from Gift of Curiosity:

• Learning about ocean animals
• Ocean Printables Bundle
• Ocean Montessori activities
• Salt water and waves science
• Shell activities
• Blubber experiment
• Ocean animals book & 3-part cards
• Ocean Printables Pack

For more resources, printables and activities related to the ocean, please see my Ocean Unit Study page and my Oceans Pinterest board.