If you’re a provider who wants to bring a little bite-sized fun and learning to your program, I’ve got you. Here are 7 simple and exciting shark-themed activities that your kids will love—and you’ll actually enjoy putting together (other than singing🎶Baby Shark a million times).
My love for sharks started way back when I was a kid watching Jaws for the very first time. Now, I know—it’s not exactly a kids’ movie, but back then, it was just the kind of thrilling, slightly terrifying experience that sticks with you. I still remember running out of the theater half-laughing, half-screaming, and fully hooked on sharks for life.
From that moment on, I became obsessed—not in a “I want to swim with them” kind of way (no thanks), but in a “let me read everything about them” kind of way. Sharks were no longer just movie monsters—they were fascinating, powerful creatures with unique traits, behaviors, and a whole ecosystem built around them.
So, when I ran my childcare program, it only made sense to bring my love for sharks to the kids. And that’s how Shark Week at Daycare was born.
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How to Host Shark Week at Daycare
1. Start with a Sharky Storytime
Books are always the perfect way to kick things off. Reading about sharks helps spark curiosity and sets the stage for everything else. These are a few favorites that are great for preschoolers and early readers:
- Clark the Shark by Bruce Hale – A silly, energetic shark learns how to chill out.
- Shark Lady by Jess Keating – The real-life story of Eugenie Clark, a scientist who loved sharks.
- Hark! A Shark! by Bonnie Worth – From the Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library.
Reading together invites questions, gives kids a chance to use their imagination, and gently introduces facts about sharks in a way that feels fun, not scary.
2. Make a Shark Craft That Swims
Let kids make their own shark puppets using paper bags or craft sticks. All you need is:
- Gray, white, and red construction paper
- Googly eyes
- Glue sticks or tape
- Scissors (and supervision)
Let them design their shark’s face—some might make happy sharks, some might go for fierce ones. Either way, they’ll be thrilled to have their own “pet shark” to swim around the room.
3. Snack Attack: Shark Jell-O Cups
This one is a crowd-pleaser. One year, a thoughtful parent made these with the kids, and it became a Shark Week tradition.
Here’s how to make them:
- Blue Jell-O (already set in clear plastic cups)
- Gummy sharks or fish
- Crushed graham crackers (to make “sand”)
- Whipped cream if you’re feeling extra
Layer the “ocean” (blue Jell-O), add in the sharks, and top with sand. Boom—snack meets science!
4. Shark Science: Sink or Float?
Sharks don’t have swim bladders like other fish—they rely on their large liver to stay buoyant. That fun fact can turn into a hands-on experiment.
Gather a bin of water and a variety of objects. Ask the kids to guess: will it sink or float? Then, drop them in one at a time. You can even try using balloons filled with oil (to represent a shark’s liver) and compare them to water-filled ones. Watch their minds blow just a little.
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5. Shark Movement Activity: Let’s Swim Like Sharks
Get those wiggles out with some physical fun. Sharks swim differently depending on the species, so turn it into a movement game.
Call out different types and have kids mimic them:
- Hammerhead – Big head, side-to-side swim
- Great White – Strong and slow, then burst fast
- Mako – Speedy darting back and forth
- Whale Shark – Gentle, gliding motions
You’ll be amazed at how much energy they burn pretending to be predators of the sea.
6. Ocean Habitat Sensory Bin
Bring the ocean into your space with a sensory bin full of “sea life.” Use blue water beads or dyed rice, plastic sharks and sea creatures, shells, and even toy divers.
Add scoops, cups, or tongs for fine motor development, and you’ve got an activity that entertains and teaches. Kids can create their own underwater stories while learning about the kinds of places sharks live.
7. Shark Conservation Chat
Now, I know this one sounds a little serious—but trust me, even little kids can understand the idea of taking care of animals and the ocean. Keep it simple:
“Sharks are important. They help keep the ocean healthy. But some kinds of sharks are in danger because people hurt their homes or catch too many of them.”
You can follow up with a kindness pledge where the kids promise to protect animals, recycle, and keep the ocean clean. Simple message. Big impact.
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Final Thoughts: Sharing What Makes You You
Here’s what I’ve learned after years of bringing Shark Week to daycare: the things that light you up as a provider—your passions, your childhood memories, your random obsessions—those things matter. When you bring your personality into your program, you create magic. Kids feel it. Parents see it. And your program becomes more than just another childcare center—it becomes a place full of joy and wonder.
As my college professor always said, there are always teachable moments. Sometimes they come in the form of a shark-shaped craft or a blue Jell-O cup. And sometimes, they come when you follow your curiosity and bring others along for the ride.
So whether you love sharks, space, dinosaurs, or disco music, share it. Let it shine through in your programming. That’s the stuff that helps your business thrive.
What do you think—will you host your own Shark Week this year? Let me know how it goes or share your favorite activity here!
