Under the Sea Theme

Would your preschool kids love an Under the Sea theme dramatic play center? The ocean themed play is filled with fun, hands-on activities, crafts and creative, educational play.

Why dramatic play? Dramatic play is a very natural way for children to learn in early childhood. They explore science, math, literacy and social skills in a developmentally appropriate way, and they LOVE it.

This dramatic center is packed full of art opportunities, STEM exploration, and fine motor skills practice.

Would you like to see the Under the Sea theme ideas? Check them out.

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• Pom Poms
• Pipe Cleaners
• Ice Tray
• Sea Shells – Various Sizes

• Jumbo Tweezers
• Blue Water Jelly Beads
• Pool Noodles

Ocean Information Center

Kids will get to learn about fish and ocean habitats in this under the sea theme learning area. They can also play I Spy Sea life on the Ocean Wall with printables from this set.

Ocean Wall

We set up our ocean area with sea creature crafts we made together. We loved our pool noodle fish, that can also float, our cup turtle, starfish, octopus and more.

Shell Sorting

Sorting is an important early math and science skill. Here we use a variety of sea shells to sort by size.

Shell Sensory Bin

At the bottom of our ocean wall, I used burlap to imitate a sandy beach. We covered it in shells for the kids to explore and collect. Shells are also perfect for a sensory bin. Hide them in sand and clean them in the water with brushes.

Deep Sea Submarine Dive

This submarine was SO fun. The kids can put on Captain and Engineer ID tags to navigate the ship. You can also set up a ticket stand to sell and collect tickets from passengers.

Boat Builders

This activity is all about STEM and sensory play combined into one awesome activity. We used old cans, bottles, juice boxes and other garbage to make boats that can actually float.

Scuba Diving Dramatic Play

Scuba diving was another huge hit in our Under the Sea theme dramatic play center. This underwater photographer is taking pictures with her juice box camera craft. (Instructions and printables in the set.

DIY Oxygen Tank

The oxygen tank craft was the hit of the week. The kids loved pretending to scuba dive with this simple craft

DIY Foam Flippers

We also made them flippers out of foam seats from the dollar store. The template is included in this dramatic play center set.

Diver Supply Station

This was our diver’s supply station where kids could hang their gear and “fill” their oxygen tank.

Ocean Art Center

We made all kinds of fun ocean crafts in our art center. These pool noodle fish were perfect for decoration, pretend play and floating around in our sensory bins.

Bottlecap Turtle

Our sea turtle offered amazing fine motor skills practice for little hands.

Shark Teeth Counting

The kids got to practice counting with shark teeth, and they got some more fine motor practice while they were at it.

Starfish Sensory Rubbings

Our starfish were a great way to learn about texture and patterns. They were perfect for decoration on our ocean wall afterwards.

Puffer Fish Craft

This puffer fish craft was excellent fine motor practice for the kids. We made it from an old toilet paper roll.

ID Tags

Kids love the ID tags that they can wear and switch out as they move from station to station. We had a marine biologist, photographer, fisherman and more.

Under the Sea Restaurant

We love to play shop or restaurant in our dramatic play centers. This was our Under the Sea theme restaurant. You could host it on the submarine or at a table next to the ocean wall.