Ocean Activities for Kids

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Parents and children are invited to dive into our Virtual Library and enjoy ebooks, videos, music, crafts,
recommended reads, and more! Check back each week for a new set of themed activities.
Click on the title/image to go to the listed activity, or watch our pathfinder videos if you need help.
To access these activities, you'll need a Thousand Oaks library card and PIN.
Don't have a library card? Sign up for a card now!
If you have questions, call us at 805-449-2660 (M-F 10am-5pm) or email us.

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WATCH & LISTEN

Bushwhacked! - Box Jellyfish Join Brandon and Kayne as they travel to remote corners of Australia and discover weird and wonderful wildlife. In this episode, our hosts meet the deadly Box Jellyfish...and give it a manicure? More denizens of the deep await in Cone Snails, Dugong, and Manta Rays! To watch the episodes, click "Watch Now" to create a new Kanopy account with your library card, or click "Log In" if you already have a Kanopy account.
Bushwhacked! - Great White Sharks Sink your teeth into this episode as Brandon and Kayne lure in a great white shark! Shark fans can also chomp on Grey Nurse Shark, Whale Shark, and Bull Sharks.
Caillou the Explorer - Deep Sea Caillou After imagining he's a deep-sea diver swimming in the class fishtank, Caillou learns that a shy girl in his playschool knows a lot about fish. This episode also contains Caillou of the Antarctic and Caillou in the Bayou. To watch the episode, click "Watch Now" to create a new Kanopy account with your library card, or click "Log In" if you already have a Kanopy account.
Curiosity Quest Goes Green - Beach Cleanup Find out how people are helping Planet Earth in an upbeat, educational family show. In this episode, learn why trash from tourists is a big problem for U.S. beach cities and what we can do to keep our beaches clean. If you like this episode, scuttle on over to Algalita, Sea Turtle Rescue, and Monterey Bay Aquarium!
The Day Henry Met...A Whale Every day Henry meets something new! Today, Henry meets a whale and becomes a deep-sea diver to search for her lost glasses. Then, sail away on the day Henry meets...A Life Boat! To watch the episode, click "Watch Now" to create a new Kanopy account with your library card, or click "Log In" if you already have a Kanopy account.
Earth To Luna! - Do Fish Drink Water? Imagination and science combine in this series about a curious girl, her younger brother, and their pet ferret. On a trip to the beach, Luna, Jupiter, and Clyde will need to shake a fin to figure out if fish drink water. If this episode is a swimming success, watch as the trio solves an ocean mystery in Salt of the Sea!
Fetch! - The Ol' Shell Game Ruff Ruffman is the animated host of this reality game show where six young contestants never know what task they'll be asked to complete next! After receiving a call from Crush, the sea turtle from Disney's Finding Nemo, Ruff sends two kids to Florida to help turtle hatchlings on the beach.
A House for Hermit Crab Based on the classic book by Eric Carle, this animated story follows Hermit Crab as he searches for a larger shell. Along the way, he finds different sea creatures to decorate and protect his new home. To watch the episode, click "Watch Now" to create a new Kanopy account with your library card, or click "Log In" if you already have a Kanopy account.
Making Stuff - Surfboards Ever wonder how surfboards are made? Robots Gear and Wiz explain the science and skill behind creating the perfect wave-catching board! Discover how to make another nautical necessity with Ships's Ropes.
Nature Cat - Tide Pool Tough Nature Cat wants to spend the day surfing with his friends, but he's afraid of the ocean! Can a group of tide pool creatures make him feel more comfortable in the water? This episode also contains Ants Revolution. To watch the episode, click "Watch Now" to create a new Kanopy account with your library card, or click "Log In" if you already have a Kanopy account.
Rupert - Rupert's Undersea Adventure Join classic character Rupert Bear for a series of animated adventures! In this episode, Rupert's trip to the deep is interrupted when King Neptune accuses him of kidnapping a prized Whistle Fish. Rupert and a little Mermaid must work together to save the whistle fish before it's too late!
SciGirls - Terrific Pacific In this PBS Kids series, middle school girls use science and technology to explore the world around them. Junior lifeguard Chloe and her friends set sail on a SoCal science cruise, working with marine scientists to collect data on the Pacific Ocean and creating a conservation video for beach visitors.
Splash and Bubbles Once you start watching this animated show, you'll never want to come up for air! Follow a pair of fishy friends, Splash and Bubbles, as they explore the world's oceans, encounter amazing marine animals, and discover otherworldly underwater habitats. To watch the episode, click "Watch Now" to create a new Kanopy account with your library card, or click "Log In" if you already have a Kanopy account.
Super WHY! - The Underwater Lost Treasure Reading is power in this interactive series where characters need young viewers' literacy skills to complete their adventures. In this episode, a missing puzzle piece leads to a treasure-hunting Starfish that needs your help to find the right treasure!
Wibbly Pig - Boat When Wibbly and Tiny Pig set sail, they find new friends, explore a desert island, and rescue a castaway! To watch the episode, click "Watch Now" to create a new Kanopy account with your library card, or click "Log In" if you already have a Kanopy account.
Wild Kratts - The Last Largest Lobster Meet incredible animals with Chris and Martin Kratt as they explore habitats around the globe! This time, the Wild Kratts make waves when they find an enormous lobster. Can they save the colossal crustacean from Chef Gourmand Gaston, who wants to catch and cook him?
*1, 2, 3 Octopus & Me* Visit an underwater world where little ones can sing, wave, and swim along with Kindermusik International! Stream songs anytime and download up to 5 songs per week with Freegal.
*Aquanimals 2* Kelvin Roy performs musical tributes to all your favorite ocean animals!
*Beach Walk (At the Beach, Track 1)* No matter where you are, take a mental walk by the water with this soothing instrumental song. Stay a little longer with Carefree at the Shore (Track 7) & By The Sea (Track 8)!
*Deep Ocean (Baby Dreams Vol. 1, Track 11)* Spend naptime in Neptune's kingdom with a lullaby from Lasha. Stream songs anytime and download up to 5 songs per week with Freegal.
*Diggin' with the Clams (Away We Go!, Track 16)* In this catchy tune, a child's search for clams turns into a pearl of an adventure!
*Don't Shake Hands With An Octopus (Toddlers A-Z Favourite Songs, Track 12)* You'll have plenty of time to listen to this silly song again and again...as long as you follow one important piece of advice! Stream songs anytime and download up to 5 songs per week with Freegal.
*Kidloland Underwater Songs* Discover flipper facts and underwater wisdom with these educational songs from Kidloland!
*Natural Ocean Sleep Waves (White Noise and Nature Sounds for Baby Sleep, Track 1)* Too loud on land? Sleep easy with real sounds of the sea! Stream songs anytime and download up to 5 songs per week with Freegal.
*Ocean Animals (Kids Songs for Kindergarten, Track 13)* Clap your fins as The Kiboomers perform an underwater adaptation of the classic song The Wheels on the Bus!
*Only One Ocean* Learn how to protect our worldwide ocean while rocking out with the Banana Slug String Band! Stream songs anytime and download up to 5 songs per week with Freegal.
*Pet Shark (Aminal House, Track 14)* Recess Monkey wants to introduce you to their pet Melvin. He's friendly...really!
*Pinkfong Presents: The Best of Baby Shark, Pt. 2* The musical adventures of this cute baby chomper are perfect for little shark fans! Stream songs anytime and download up to 5 songs per week with Freegal.
*Septamus the Octopus (Going to the Zoo, Track 13)* Kids will cheer for Septamus the seven-tentacled octopus, who always shows his octo-pals that "only having seven legs is as good as having eight"!
*Summertime Sing-Along* Celebrate fun in the sun and in the water with Dream Baby's mix of favorite beach songs and original spin-offs! Stream songs anytime and download up to 5 songs per week with Freegal.
*Under the Sea Party* Sea if you know all of the songs in this collection of classic ocean music, performed by the Sunshine Superstars!

READ & EXPLORE

Ocean Learn about the ocean, tides, marine life, and keeping our oceans healthy from Britannica Library for Children.
Deep-Sea Life Britannica Library for Children shines a light on the abyssal zone, a pitch-black world far below the ocean surface.
Jacques Cousteau Plunge into the life and accomplishments of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, the father of scuba diving.
The Great White Man-Eating Shark / A Shark Pup Grows Up (Animals and Nature) Meet a shark fan who takes things too far in Margaret Mahy's animated story, then learn about a shark pup's life from the Scholastic News non-fiction series. Watch our pathfinder video for BookFlix first, then click on the BookFlix icon.
Peanut Butter and Jellyfish / My Home in the Water (Animals and Nature) Jarrett Krosoczka shows kids the importance of friendship and apologies with Peanut Butter and Jellyfish, a story about best friends who decide to help their neighbor Crabby even though he hasn't been nice in the past. Next, Rookie Poetry and J. Patrick Lewis use charming rhymes to introduce early readers to new ocean friends. Watch our pathfinder video for BookFlix first, then click on the BookFlix icon.
Ocean TumbleBooks Don't miss our collection of animated storybooks and videos about the ocean. Watch our pathfinder video for TumbleBook Library first, then click on the TumbleBook Library icon.
Big Blue Ranger Rick (March 2020 Issue, pgs. 14-19) gets up close with blue whales, the most gigantic animals on Earth! Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.
Caroline Marks Sea why this No.1 surfer and youngest athlete in World Surf League history is making waves (Sports Illustrated Kids, July 2019 Issue, pgs. 18-21)! Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.
Eight Great Octopus Facts Wrap your tentacles around cool octopus facts from Ranger Rick (February 2017 Issue, pgs. 6-11)! If eight isn't enough, jet over to the Squids article in the September 2019 Issue on pages 14 to 19. Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.
Flashy, Splashy Surprises What's candy-colored, squishy, and definitely not for eating? These eye-opening facts will take the "ugh" out of sea slugs (Ranger Rick, October 20`17 Issue, pgs. 14-19)! Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.
Flat is Where It's At! Ranger Rick (June/July 2017 Issue, pgs. 6-11) invites readers to meet Manta Rays, close cousins of the shark and gorgeous gliders! Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.
From Trash to Art Discover how the Washed Ashore Project is using trash to talk about ocean pollution (Ranger Rick, August 2017 Issue, pgs. 30-35). Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.
Here Come the Horseshoes! The ten-eyed, spiky-tailed "living fossil" may look tough, but Ranger Rick (June/July 2019 Issue, pgs. 14-19) describes the softer side of horseshoe crabs. Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.
Listening to Narwhals Discover how scientists are tuning into these undersea unicorns to help them survive (Highlights, June 2019 Issue, pgs. 28-29)! Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.
Meet the Man-Of-War Despite its delicate appearance, this floating colony of pretty and poisonous polyps is always ready for battle (Ranger Rick, February 2019 Issue, pgs. 14-17)! Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the Flipster icon.
Midnight Snackers Stay up late for a night of blackwater photography with Ranger Rick (October 2018 Issue, pgs. 14-19)! Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.
Ocean Immerse yourself in facts about diverse marine life, famous explorers, ocean products, and how the ocean's health and welfare affects humans! Click on the book cover, then click on the blue "View eBook" button to read the title in Gale eBooks.
The Pufferfish Take a big gulp of pufferfish knowledge from Chickadee (March 2019 Issue, pgs. 6-7)! Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.
Save the Ocean! National Geographic Kids (April 2019) dedicates an entire issue to helping our oceans. Read about dolphin, sea turtle, and seal rescues, and learn how you can save the ocean from plastic! Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.
Sea Otters What's not to love about these cute, crafty, and carefree critters (Zoobooks, January 2016 Issue)? Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.
Seashore Can't get to the beach? Tide over little swimmers with facts about shell shapes, what lives in rock pools, and fun activities! Click on the book cover, then click on the blue "View eBook" button to read the title in Gale eBooks.
The Secret Lives of Orcas Find out about the colorful lives of these black and white beauties with National Geographic Kids (June/July 2018 Issue, pgs. 12-17)! Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.
Sharks Fans of these toothy terrors will devour Zoobooks’ Sharks issue (July/Aug. 2019)! Prefer to see a friendly fin? Don't miss the Dolphins & Porpoises issue (November 2015). Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.
Shell You don't need to hold this up to your ear to hear all about different types of shells and how to collect them. Click on the book cover, then click on the blue "View eBook" button to read the title in Gale eBooks.
Shipwreck Grab a lifeboat and follow accounts of shipwrecks throughout history, including searches for sunken ships and their treasures! Click on the book cover, then click on the blue "View eBook" button to read the title in Gale eBooks.
Turning Over a New Reef Australia's Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure in the world, but it needs our help to survive (Owl, May 2017 Issue, pgs. 12-15)! Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.
Water World Boys' Life (August 2019 Issue, pgs. 10-13) and the Sea Scouts of Ship 450 take you on an undersea scuba adventure! The flippered fun continues with Sea Turtles Dig the Beach on pages 14 and 15. Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.
Celebrate World Oceans Day! eBooks In honor of World Oceans Day on June 8th, enjoy wave after wave of ocean, undersea, and beach titles. OverDrive ebooks are accessible from any computer and from any device using the Libby or OverDrive app.
Oceans Reading List Read yourself gilly with this pod of popular titles for ages 0-8! In the list, click on "Check the Library Catalog" to see if the Library has a copy.
Fish (Animal Kingdom) Spend a day in TrueFlix's fish school and find out about different kinds of fish, how they survive in waters around the world, endangered species, and fish in the news. Watch our pathfinder video for TrueFlix first, then click on the book cover.
Oceanography (Earth Science) Learn why we study the ocean, how famous oceanographers made their discoveries, and the questions that current scientists are trying to answer. Watch our pathfinder video for TrueFlix first, then click on the book cover.
The Undersea World (Great Discoveries) You may not find Atlantis, but TrueFlix proves that the underwater world of shipwrecks, relics, and deep-sea discoveries is worth the dive. Watch our pathfinder video for TrueFlix first, then click on the book cover.
Marine Life (Life Science) Learn about the amazing variety of sea-dwelling plants and animals, how ocean zones affect marine life, and which underwater discoveries may be medical marvels! Watch our pathfinder video for ScienceFlix first, then click on the ScienceFlix icon.
Oceans of the World (Earth Science) Since oceans cover 71% of the world, you don't want to miss any current (or tide or wave) events! Discover how oceans move, important locations in the ocean realm, and the ways technology has advanced oceanic study. Watch our pathfinder video for ScienceFlix first, then click on the Earth icon.

ACTION!

Craft - Beach-worthy Nails Before you head to the beach, Girls' World (July 2018 Issue, pgs. 32-33) has sun, surfboard, and mermaid manicures that are a summer-time splash! Parental supervision is recommended for all crafts. Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.
Craft - Shark-i-gami! Fold, crease, color, and CHOMP! with an origami shark from Chickadee (Summer 2019 Issue, pgs. 28-29). Parental supervision is recommended for all crafts. Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the Flipster icon.
Craft - Underwater Scene (Artzooka, Episode 8) Defeat summer boredom with Artzooka, a series that shows kids how fun DIY can be! In this episode, host Jeremie Saunders uses homemade modeling clay to create an underwater scene. If you've got time on your tentacles, don't miss Plastic Bottle Jellyfish! Parental supervision is recommended for all crafts. To watch the series, click "Watch Now" to create a new Kanopy account with your library card, or click "Log In" if you already have a Kanopy account.
Craft - Whale Napkin Holder Have a whale of a mealtime with napkin holders from Highlights (June 2019 Issue, pg. 19)! Parental supervision is recommended for all crafts. Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.
Craft - Yarn Octopus Got yarn? This easy project from Crafty Creatures (pgs. 12-13) is a great way for little ones to practice their braiding skills using leftover yarn. Parental supervision is recommended for all crafts. Click on the book cover to read this Gale eBooks title.
Dive into the Coral Reef Quiz! Do you have enough nautical knowledge to get you through this maze from Highlights (April 2019 Issue, pgs. 22-23)? Find your way to freedom by answering coral reef questions. Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.
Drawing - Pool Party! Girls' World (July 2018 Issue, pgs. 6-7) shows young artists how to draw must-have items for a trip to the pool or beach! Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the Flipster icon.
Kitchen Craft - All Aboard for Sea Snacks Turn fruits and veggies into fins and grins with Ranger Rick (August 2015 Issue, pgs. 20-21)! Parental supervision is recommended for all crafts. Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.
Kitchen Craft - Beach Cupcakes With sand, surf, and sweet treats, these cupcakes have everything you love about the beach (Chickadee, Summer 2018 Issue, pgs. 22-23)! Parental supervision is recommended for all crafts. Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the Flipster icon.
Kitchen Craft - Crab Cakes Family Fun (June/July 2017 Issue, pg. 80) has a pound cake recipe that includes more than a pinch of delight! Parental supervision is recommended for all crafts. Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.
Kitchen Craft - Crawfish Etoufee Try a perfectly sea-soned recipe from Sydney to the Max's Christian J. Simon (Girls' World, November 2019 Issue, pg. 11)! Parental supervision is recommended for all crafts. Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.
Kitchen Craft - Gummy Ocean Vacation This bear-y cool dessert is sure to keep fun afloat at any summer event (Highlights, July 2019 Issue, pg. 36)! Parental supervision is recommended for all crafts. Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the Flipster icon.
Kitchen Craft - Mermaid Hot Chocolate Mermaid fans will flip over this fin-tastic blue creation from Girls' World (March 2020 Issue, pg. 10)! Parental supervision is recommended for all crafts. Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.
Coloring Pages Imagine how hard this week's pages would be if you had flippers instead of fingers!

PATHFINDER VIDEOS

Find individual titles in BookFlix

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