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	<title>early years turtles Archives - Ocean Life Education</title>
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		<title>Ocean Animal Activities for Early Years: Sharks, Whales &#038; Turtles</title>
		<link>https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/ocean-animal-activities-early-years/</link>
		
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		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 2026 05:32:37 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Activities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Early learning]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[earky years activities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[earky years sharks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[early years ocean activities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[early years turtles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[early years whales]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[<p>Discover ocean animal activities for Early Years including sharks, whales and turtles.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/ocean-animal-activities-early-years/">Ocean Animal Activities for Early Years: Sharks, Whales &#038; Turtles</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au">Ocean Life Education</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-9708 size-large" src="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/postcard-4-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="625" height="417" srcset="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/postcard-4-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/postcard-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/postcard-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/postcard-4-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/postcard-4-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/postcard-4-624x416.jpg 624w" sizes="(max-width: 625px) 100vw, 625px" /></p>
<p>Ocean animal activities for Early Years are a powerful way to engage young children in hands-on learning. Young learners are naturally captivated by ocean life. From the impressive humpback whale to sea turtles and powerful sharks, marine animals spark curiosity and create valuable opportunities for learning across science, language, movement and social-emotional development.</p>
<p>For Early Years educators across South East Queensland, these ocean theme early childhood activities provide a meaningful way to connect children with their local marine environment while aligning with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). Through hands-on exploration, storytelling and sensory play ocean activities, children develop an understanding of the natural world while strengthening communication, social and thinking skills.</p>
<p>Below are simple, engaging marine animal activities that can be easily incorporated into your Early Years program.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/programs/early-learning-programs-ocean-life-discovery/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f449.png" alt="👉" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" />Check out our marine education incursions for Early Years</a></p>
<h4><strong><img decoding="async" class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-6895" src="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Eumundi-blog-page-banner-feature-10-e1778202231488-150x150.jpg" alt="Sharks &amp; Ecosystems" width="150" height="150" srcset="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Eumundi-blog-page-banner-feature-10-e1778202231488-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Eumundi-blog-page-banner-feature-10-e1778202231488-400x400.jpg 400w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Eumundi-blog-page-banner-feature-10-e1778202231488-50x50.jpg 50w" sizes="(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" />Shark Activities for Early Years</strong></h4>
<p>Sharks are often one of the first ocean animals children recognise. Their unique features and behaviours make them ideal for early learning ocean activities.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h4></h4>
<h4><strong>Shark Sensory Play Activity</strong></h4>
<p>Set up an ocean-inspired sensory tray using water, sand, toy sharks, shells, blue stones or glass pebbles, and green ribbons to represent seaweed.</p>
<p>Encourage children to explore and describe their discoveries using words such as <em>fast, sharp, smooth, swim, ocean</em>.</p>
<p><strong>This sensory play ocean activity supports language development, imaginative play and early science skills.</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong><strong>Shark Movement Activity</strong></p>
<p>Invite children to move like different ocean animals:</p>
<ul>
<li>A fast-moving shark</li>
<li>A slow turtle</li>
<li>A large whale</li>
<li>A tiny fish</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>This activity promotes gross motor development while reinforcing descriptive vocabulary.</strong></p>
<h4><strong>Shark Storytelling Activity</strong></h4>
<p><img decoding="async" class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-9709" src="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Picture1-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" srcset="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Picture1-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Picture1-50x50.jpg 50w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Picture1.jpg 287w" sizes="(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" />Read a shark-themed book such as Clark the Shark by Bruce Hale and ask children:</p>
<ul>
<li>Where does the shark live?</li>
<li>What does it eat?</li>
<li>How does it move?</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Children can then create their own stories through drawings and discussion, supporting early literacy and ocean learning activities.</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/programs/early-learning-programs-ocean-life-discovery/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f449.png" alt="👉" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" />Check out our marine education incursions for Early Years</a></p>
<h4><strong>Whale Activities for Early Years</strong></h4>
<p>Humpback whales migrate along the Queensland coastline each year, making them an ideal focus for marine education in South East Queensland.</p>
<h4><strong><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-9643" src="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/makabera-whale-8274342_1920-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" srcset="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/makabera-whale-8274342_1920-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/makabera-whale-8274342_1920-400x400.jpg 400w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/makabera-whale-8274342_1920-50x50.jpg 50w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" />Whale Migration Activity</strong></h4>
<p>Create a migration pathway indoors or outdoors where children can:</p>
<ul>
<li>Move like whales</li>
<li>Jump over pretend waves</li>
<li>Swim around obstacles</li>
<li>Follow a migration route</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>This introduces migration concepts and supports EYLF science activities.</strong></p>
<h4><strong>Whale Sounds Activity</strong></h4>
<p>Play whale sound recordings and encourage children to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Listen carefully</li>
<li>Describe what they hear</li>
<li>Create their own whale-inspired sounds using instruments</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>This builds listening skills, creativity and curiosity about marine life.</strong></p>
<h4><strong><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-9641" src="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/thara58-humpback-whale-2298491_1920-150x150.jpg" alt="Humpback whales for school science" width="150" height="150" srcset="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/thara58-humpback-whale-2298491_1920-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/thara58-humpback-whale-2298491_1920-400x400.jpg 400w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/thara58-humpback-whale-2298491_1920-50x50.jpg 50w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" />Whale Size Comparison Activity</strong></h4>
<p>Help children understand whale size by measuring their length outdoors using markers or cones.</p>
<p>Ask questions such as:</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 1rem;">How many children long is a whale? </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Is a whale bigger than a car? </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Could a whale fit inside our classroom?</span></p>
<p><strong>This supports numeracy skills and hands-on learning with ocean animals.</strong></p>
<h4><strong>Turtle Activities for Early Years</strong></h4>
<p>Sea turtles are a favourite in ocean animals for preschool learning and are ideal for exploring life cycles.</p>
<h4><strong>Turtle Life Cycle Activity</strong></h4>
<h4><strong><a href="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Turtle-Life-Cycle.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-6196 size-thumbnail" title="Turtle Life Cycle Activity" src="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Turtle-Life-Cycle-FINAL-WEB_page-0001-150x150.jpg" alt="Turtle Life Cycle" width="150" height="150" srcset="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Turtle-Life-Cycle-FINAL-WEB_page-0001-150x150.jpg 150w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Turtle-Life-Cycle-FINAL-WEB_page-0001-400x400.jpg 400w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Turtle-Life-Cycle-FINAL-WEB_page-0001-50x50.jpg 50w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></a></strong></h4>
<p>Use pictures or objects to show the stages of a turtle’s life:</p>
<ol>
<li>Egg</li>
<li>Hatchling</li>
<li>Young turtle</li>
<li>Adult turtle</li>
</ol>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>This helps children understand life cycles in a simple and engaging way.</p>
<h4><strong>Turtle Hatchling Game</strong></h4>
<p>Create an outdoor play experience where children act as turtle hatchlings making their way to the ocean.</p>
<p>Add obstacles such as rocks, driftwood and sand dunes to explore real-world challenges turtles face.</p>
<h4><strong>Turtle Nest Sensory Activity</strong></h4>
<p>Fill a tray with sand and hide small “eggs” made from balls or stones.</p>
<p>Children can gently dig and discover the eggs while learning about nesting behaviours.</p>
<p><strong>This supports preschool ocean theme ideas and sensory exploration.</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/programs/early-learning-programs-ocean-life-discovery/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f449.png" alt="👉" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" />Check out our marine education incursions for Early Years</a></p>
<h4><strong>Building Language Through Ocean Activities</strong></h4>
<p>Ocean-themed learning provides excellent opportunities to develop vocabulary.</p>
<p>Introduce descriptive words such as <em>fast, slow, large, small, smooth, gentle, deep and shallow</em>.</p>
<p>Encourage simple comparisons:</p>
<ul>
<li>Sharks are fast</li>
<li>Whales are large</li>
<li>Turtles are slow</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>These sentence structures support early childhood marine learning and communication skills.</strong></p>
<h4><strong>Teaching Ocean Conservation</strong></h4>
<p>Even young children can begin to understand how to care for the environment through ocean education programs in QLD.</p>
<p>Discuss questions such as:</p>
<ul>
<li>How can we keep beaches clean?</li>
<li>What happens if animals eat rubbish?</li>
<li>How can we protect marine life?</li>
</ul>
<p>These conversations help develop empathy, responsibility and environmental awareness.</p>
<h4><strong>Why Ocean-Based Learning Works</strong></h4>
<p>Ocean animal activities for Early Years naturally inspire curiosity, exploration and wonder. They support development across multiple learning areas while building a strong connection to local marine environments.</p>
<p>For educators across Brisbane and South East Queensland, these experiences also create meaningful links to local wildlife and coastal ecosystems.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/programs/early-learning-programs-ocean-life-discovery/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f449.png" alt="👉" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" />Check out our marine education incursions for Early Years</a></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-5861" src="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/OceanlifeEducation_transparent-Logo_2020-300x123.png" alt="Ocean Life Education" width="150" height="61" srcset="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/OceanlifeEducation_transparent-Logo_2020-300x123.png 300w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/OceanlifeEducation_transparent-Logo_2020-1024x420.png 1024w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/OceanlifeEducation_transparent-Logo_2020-768x315.png 768w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/OceanlifeEducation_transparent-Logo_2020-624x256.png 624w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/OceanlifeEducation_transparent-Logo_2020-1536x630.png 1536w, https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/OceanlifeEducation_transparent-Logo_2020-2048x839.png 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px" /></p>
<h4><strong>Bring Marine Education to Life</strong></h4>
<p>Ocean Life Education provides engaging marine education incursions for Early Years services across South East Queensland.</p>
<p>Our programs give children the opportunity to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Meet live marine animals</li>
<li>Explore ocean habitats</li>
<li>Discover incredible local marine life</li>
</ul>
<p>Through interactive, hands-on learning, we deliver early learning incursions in Queensland that bring science, sustainability and ocean awareness to life.</p>
<p><strong>Book your Ocean Life Education incursion today and inspire an apprecaition of the ocean in your Early Years setting.</strong></p>
<h4><span style="color: #000000;"><a style="color: #000000;" href="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/contact-us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Book a Primary Ocean Science Incursion for Your School</a></span></h4>
<h4><em>Thank you for reading: </em><strong>Ocean Animal Activities for Early Years: Sharks, Whales &amp; Turtles</strong></h4>
<p data-start="2996" data-end="3166"><strong>Author: Hayley Gee, Marine Educator, Ocean Life Education</strong></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au/ocean-animal-activities-early-years/">Ocean Animal Activities for Early Years: Sharks, Whales &#038; Turtles</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.oceanlifeeducation.com.au">Ocean Life Education</a>.</p>
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