Make a little ocean magic

Little ocean bauble

You'll need

One clear, shatter-resistant fillable bauble, coloured paper, crayons and ribbon.

Make it

1. Draw and colour a tiny fish, starfish or octopus on paper.
2. Cut it to fit inside the bauble; an adult can help with scissors.
3. Add a few paper seaweed strips, close the bauble and tie on a ribbon.

Use only plastic baubles, not glass. Adults handle the small cap and ribbon; keep tiny pieces away from children who still mouth objects.

Salt-dough sea creatures

You'll need

2 cups plain flour, 1 cup salt, about 1 cup water, cookie cutters, paint and string.

Make it

1. Mix flour, salt and water into a firm dough; add water a little at a time.
2. Roll it out and cut sea-creature shapes. An adult makes a hanging hole.
3. An adult bakes until fully hard, cools completely, then children paint the decorations.

Salt dough is not edible. Keep raw dough away from mouths, wash hands after handling, and let an adult manage the oven and hot trays. Avoid if a child has a wheat or salt sensitivity.

Paper-plate ocean wreath

You'll need

Paper plate, green and blue paper scraps, crayons, glue stick and a ribbon bow.

Make it

1. An adult cuts out the centre of the plate to make a ring.
2. Children colour it and glue on paper seaweed, shells and simple fish shapes.
3. Add a ribbon bow and let it dry flat before hanging.

Adult handles scissors and the hanging loop. Use a child-safe glue stick and supervise; keep ribbon away from very young siblings.

Ocean kindness countdown

You'll need

Six printed envelopes, crayons or pencils, small note paper and a short list of family activities.

Download the free foldable mini envelopes (A4 PDF) ↓

Make it

1. Print, cut out and fold the six sea-creature envelopes from the free A4 template. Decorate them with crayons or pencils.
2. With your child, choose simple moments such as reading an ocean story, drawing a fish or spotting winter birds.
3. Write one idea on each small note, tuck it into an envelope, and open one together each day.

Keep activities short and age-appropriate. An adult writes any cards; avoid small treats or loose parts if younger siblings are around.

Painted ocean gift wrap

You'll need

Plain paper, washable crayons or paint sticks, a sponge and ribbon.

Make it

1. Lay out a sheet of paper and draw repeating fish, bubbles, shells or waves.
2. Let paint dry fully, then wrap a small box with adult help.
3. Tie with ribbon and add a blank shell-shaped tag.

Use washable, child-safe art materials and protect the table. Adult cuts paper and handles scissors; supervise ribbon and keep it away from necks.