We are getting into the Winter spirit this week with the Playful Preschool theme of Polar Animals. When we visited Sea World when the Sugar Snaps were almost three years old, they were especially fascinated with Walruses. I think there is something charming about them too. Their tusks add a fun element of character to their faces. I decided to make a walrus puppet out of craft foam and have them match up the upper and lower case letters that spell the word ‘walrus’ using the walrus puppet to catch the fish in the bath tub. I think I may have seen a walrus puppet in a post somewhere before and wanted to give credit for the inspiration but could not find anything when I searched extensively online.
Walrus Dive for Letters:
You will need:
- craft foam in assorted colors
- scissors
- sharpie marker
- bath tub with water (or you could use a water table)
- Google eyes (if desired)
- glue (we used tacky glue)
- blue food coloring (if desired)
Look up images of the walrus online if you cannot conjure one up in your mind. While looking at the walrus photograph, cut out the walrus shape freeform or eyeball it, draw it with a sharpie and then cut it out. I would have preferred brown craft foam but did not have any on hand so I used black. Cut out holes your preschooler can stick her fingers through to create the tusks (adult task). If using, have your preschooler glue on the google eyes onto the walrus. Then cut out twelve fish freeform with scissors (or have your preschooler cut out fish you have drawn on with a sharpie). Write the letters for the word walrus in capital and lower case letters on each of the fish (i.e. ‘W’ on one fish and ‘w’ on another fish).
Run water in the tub and add blue food coloring if desired. Float the fish in the tub and call out each letter of Walrus individually and have your preschooler find the matching capital and lower case letters on the fish and ‘catch’ them using the walrus puppet. It takes a little more coordination to catch the fish with the puppet than it does to simply reach out and grab them with an empty hand. Our preschoolers found it to be a little tricky but fun. They were quite amused to act out the part of the walrus complete with walrus sound effects. Have your preschooler spell out the word ‘walrus’ in capital and lower case letters once all the letter fish have been caught. Alternatively, you could write sight words on the fish and have the walrus find the words that are called out. You could also use numbers. You could write on both sides of the fish (such as sight words on one side and letters on the other) to save on craft foam and get two games out of one set of fish. If you try this out, let me know how you liked it. When you have time, check out the other educational posts about Polar Animals from the Playful Preschool Team.
Polar Animal Literacy Activities:
Walrus Dive for Letters from Capri + 3
Polar Bear Paw Walk Preschool Alphabet Game by Growing Book by Book
Penguin Plunge Alphabet Activity by Mom Inspired Life
Polar Animal Science and Sensory Activities:
How do Animals Stay Warm by Rainy Day Mum
Penguin Sorting Sensory Bin by Powerful Mothering
Arctic World by Learning 2 Walk
Winter Animals Seek and Find Game by Fun-A-Day
Polar Animal Movement Activities
Polar Animals Gross Motor Games by Still Playing School
Polar Animal Math Games and Activities:
Polar Bear Math Game by The Educators’ Spin On It
Counting to 5 with Penguins by Life Over C’s
Polar Animals Mega Blocks Puzzle by Tiny Tots Adventures
Polar Bear Activities and Books for Preschool by The Preschool Toolbox Blog
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Natasha Johnson says
Such a fun game! I love how simple it is to mske, and I love that it involves water.
Devany LeDrew says
Oh, my, GOODNESS! This is SO CUTE! I am in love with this activity!!!
Theresa says
Thank you Natasha.
: 0 ) Theresa
Theresa says
Thank you Devany.
: 0 ) Theresa
Cerys Parker says
Ohhhh I'm going to to be busy this afternoon. It's a perfect bathtime game for the kids.
Theresa says
Hi Cerys.
I hope you enjoy it. It would be fun to play it during bath time.
: 0 ) Theresa
Danielle Buckley says
I LOVE this. So fun!
Theresa says
Thank you Danielle.
: 0 ) Theresa
Kim Staten says
What a fun idea!! I'm sure the kids would love playing in the water!
Theresa says
Thank you Kim.
Water play is always a hit, not matter what time of year.
: 0 ) Theresa
Growing Book by Book says
So much fun. My kids love water play in the winter. I think they miss it from the outdoors so much. So, I'm always looking for activities for them to do. Thank you!
Theresa says
Thank you Growing Book by Book.
I agree that water play is fun year round (indoors and out). I hope your kids enjoy the activity.
: 0 ) Theresa
Apple Dapple Pancakes says
Super cute walrus puppet!!!
~ Jen
http://www.appledapplepancakes.blogspot.com
Theresa says
Thank you Jen.
: 0 ) Theresa