Summer is a fun opportunity to slow down and really get into your books like our new favorite THE BIG BOOK OF BLUE. I got a copy to review and my kids whisked it away. They pour over the illustrations and read the information and then run to tell the other or me what they have learned.
Books like this – that capture their interest for days – are ones I love to explore further with activities when we have the time.
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The ocean is a subject teeming with curiosities. The huge variety of animals, exploring tide pools, the STEM possibilities of sand and water…This book triggers the interest of my children all over again.
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Ocean Read & Play for Preschool
Read: The Big Book of Blue
This incredible book has been a nonstop favorite since it arrived. My kids are huge Ocean animal, and animal in general, fans so that may be why it is soaking them in so thoroughly.
(Side note: If your kids like other science topics more, explore Yuval Zommer’s other books. They’re all gorgeous)
The Big Book of Blue
Written by Yuval Zommer
This is another in a series of books of beautiful books about various science topics. THE BIG BOOK OF BLUE dives into the ocean and asks the most marvelous questions.
The book covers a wide variety of animals and ocean topics from my favorites – whales and dolphins – to the deep depths and sharks that seem to fascinate my kids.
My absolute favorite part of this book however is the illustrations. They are just stunning and absorbing.
This book is great for:
- Ocean Units
- Kids who love ocean animals
- Kids who love look and find books
- Preschoolers and Up
Order The Big Book of Blue
Slime Play
One of the things most fascinating things about the Ocean are the textures and scientific possibilities. Slime play is also a wonderful sensory experience and excellent early chemistry experiment for kids.
Truth be told, I recently got a copy of the new Ultimate Slime Guide eBook and I’ve been eager to try it out.
Sarah from Little Bins for Little Hands has long been considered the Queen of Slime. Her creativity and passion for combining engaging play with learning never cease to amaze me. Her new book has everything you need to know for making a huge range of slime invitations for kids.
Get the Ultimate Slime Ebook
To go with THE BIG BOOK OF BLUE or really any of these great Ocean books, there are several Ocean themed slime. We are still beginners though so we went with a basic recipe and added some shells to tie it into our reading and spark more conversation.
We followed the super easy recipe in the book for Borax Slime with White Glue. Make sure to involve your kids in mixing the Slime as much as you can.
Transforming a bunch of ingredients into slime involves math and science that is experienced quite as well by watching.
Then – the best part – you get to play! My kids love the sensory experience of slime.
Also Read: Beach Mystery Bag
They also enjoyed experimenting with how the slime and seashells interacted.
More Advanced Options:
Next time we will try a more complex slime recipe. These are the ones my kids have stuck a post it note on to try – you can see Ultimate Slime Guide for Directions for any of them.
- Sandy Beach Slime
- Fishbowl Bead Crunchy Slime
- Under the Sea Slime
