🐠 Under the Sea Activities for EYFS & KS1 | Ideas, Printables & Planning

Dive into a world of underwater wonder with our collection of Under the Sea activities for EYFS and KS1. From colourful fish and fascinating sea creatures to mermaids, pirates and imaginary underwater worlds, this popular topic provides endless opportunities for learning through play.

Perfect for Nursery, Preschool, Childminders, Reception and Key Stage 1, these ideas and resources support communication, creativity, early science, mathematical thinking and imaginative exploration.

Whether children are discovering life beneath the waves, creating their own underwater worlds or learning about real sea creatures, you'll find printable resources, planning support and inspiring ideas to enrich your provision.

🐠 Free Under the Sea Resources

Explore our free sample resources and discover engaging activities linked to sea creatures, marine life and underwater exploration.

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🌊 Under the Sea Printable Provision & Teaching Resources

Browse our collection of Under the Sea themed resources designed to support learning across the curriculum.

• Continuous Provision

• Display Lettering

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🧜 Mermaids, Pirates & Imaginative Play

Imaginative worlds are often at the heart of children's fascination with Under the Sea themes. Explore resources linked to:

Mermaid & Merman Adventures

• Shell Playdough Mats

• Counting Activities

• Character Descriptions

• Design a Mermaid or Merman

• Mermaid Kingdom Storytelling Resources

Pirate Adventures

• Pirate Ship Role Play Pack

• Storytelling Opportunities

• Treasure Hunts

• Map Making

These resources support language development, storytelling, collaboration and creativity.

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🐢 Sea Animals, Habitats & Conservation

Children often develop strong interests in real sea creatures through Under the Sea topics.

Explore resources linked to:

Marine Wildlife

• Sea Turtles

• Dolphins

• Octopuses

• Penguins

• Whale Sharks

• Sea Lions

Endangered Animal Packs

• Whale Shark Pack

• Vaquita Pack

• Sea Turtle Pack

• Sea Lion Pack

Caring for Our Oceans

These resources help children begin to understand the importance of protecting marine habitats and wildlife.

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🎵 Nursery Rhymes & Under the Sea Learning

Popular rhymes can provide engaging starting points for learning.

Featured resources include:

• "1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Once I Caught a Fish Alive"

• "Big Ship Sails"

These resources support language development, sequencing, memory and early literacy skills.

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🌿 EYFS Under the Sea Ideas (Continuous Provision & Enhancements)

These ideas are intended as open-ended invitations that can be adapted to children's interests and fascinations.

💧 Water Play & Exploration

• Add sea creatures to water trays

• Explore floating and sinking

• Create underwater habitats

• Introduce shells and natural materials

Adult Role

Support children to make predictions, explore concepts and develop vocabulary through play.

🐠 Small World Underwater Worlds

• Create ocean habitats using fabrics and loose parts

• Add realistic sea creatures

• Include caves, rocks and coral formations

• Encourage storytelling and adventure play

Adult Role

Follow children's narratives and extend language linked to habitats and marine life.

🧜 Imaginative Play Invitations

• Mermaid kingdoms

• Pirate adventures

• Aquarium role play

• Marine rescue centres

Adult Role

Support imagination while introducing meaningful vocabulary and opportunities for collaboration.

🐚 Sensory Exploration

• Shell investigation trays

• Water and sand play

• Ocean sound experiences

• Texture exploration

Adult Role

Encourage observation and descriptive language.

✏️ Mark Making & Early Writing

• Sea creature observations

• Maps of underwater worlds

• Labels and signs

• Story recording opportunities

Adult Role

Provide authentic reasons for mark making and writing within play.

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🦈 KS1 Under the Sea Activities & Learning Ideas

🔬 Science Learning

• Investigate animal adaptations

• Compare sea creatures

• Explore habitats and food chains

• Research endangered species

✍️ English Activities

• Sea creature fact files

• Ocean adventure stories

• Information writing

• Character descriptions

➗ Maths Opportunities

• Counting and classifying sea creatures

• Measuring and comparing

• Creating pictograms

• Data handling investigations

🎨 Creative Projects

• Design a new sea creature

• Create underwater habitats

• Build aquarium displays

• Produce conservation campaigns

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🌍 Curriculum Links (EYFS & KS1)

🟢 EYFS Areas of Learning

Communication & Language

• New vocabulary

• Storytelling

• Conversation and questioning

Physical Development

• Water play

• Fine motor exploration

• Creative construction

Personal, Social & Emotional Development

• Cooperation through role play

• Caring for living things

Understanding the World

• Marine habitats

• Sea creatures

• Oceans and environments

Expressive Arts & Design

• Imaginative worlds

• Creative responses

• Story creation

🔵 KS1 National Curriculum Links

Science

• Animals including humans

• Living things and habitats

• Working scientifically

English

• Information texts

• Creative writing

• Speaking and listening

Maths

• Number

• Statistics

• Measurement

Art & Design

• Drawing

• Sculpture

• Creative design

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🧠 Under the Sea Planning & Pedagogy Support

Support meaningful learning through our professional planning resources and curriculum guidance.

💡 Explore our EYFS Curriculum & Pedagogy Suite for comprehensive planning and guidance (separate pathways for birth-18 months, 18-36 months, 3-4 years & 4-5 years).

Related Theme & Project Planning Support | EYFS Curriculum & Pedagogy

(Documents within this section are available with our Professional Tier Memberships)

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🌻 Related Topics & Themes

🌊 Water & Coastal Learning

• Ocean

• Water

• At the Seaside

• Wetlands

🐠 Animals & Wildlife

• Fish

• Wildlife

• Endangered Animals

🏖️ Outdoor Learning

• Beach School

• Summer

• Holidays & Travel

🎭 Imaginative Themes

• Pirates

• Mermaids and Mermen

Related themes are available throughout our resource collection.

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❓ Under the Sea FAQs

What are good Under the Sea activities for EYFS?

Water play, small world habitats, sea creature investigations, role play and sensory exploration all provide meaningful opportunities for learning.

How do you teach an Under the Sea topic in EYFS?

Provide rich, open-ended experiences that encourage children to explore marine life, habitats and underwater environments through play, discussion and investigation.

What can KS1 children learn from an Under the Sea topic?

Children can explore habitats, adaptations, food chains, conservation, creative writing, data handling and scientific enquiry.

How can I create an Under the Sea area in my classroom?

Use fabrics, sea creature figures, books, natural materials, role play resources and open-ended loose parts to create an immersive learning environment.

What is the difference between an Ocean topic and an Under the Sea topic?

An Ocean topic often focuses more on habitats, conservation, geography and environmental awareness. An Under the Sea topic tends to place greater emphasis on imaginative play, storytelling, marine creatures and children's curiosity about underwater worlds.

🌟 Explore More

• Discover our EYFS Curriculum & Pedagogy Suite

• Find out more about membership options

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