Science @ Home: Sharks (Ages 4-8)
At the Academy, shark week is every week! Celebrate the most jawsome fish in the sea with a variety of exciting activities for kids ages 4-8.
A group of sharks is called a shiver—but there’s no reason to be afraid of these awe-inspiring animals. Sink your teeth into the fascinating world of sharks and rays and explore an appetizing assortment of guided videos, crafts, interactive programs, and activities.
(Please note: While Science @ Home activities are designed to be conducted by kids, some little ones might need adult help with reading instructions and preparing crafts.)
Day 1: Fishy sharks
There’s something fishy about sharks…because they are fish! Discover what sharks and fish have in common through a guessing game, build-a-fish craft, and more. (30-45 minutes)
We heart sharks! (video)
Fish or not-a-fish? (activity)
Build a fish (craft)
Transform a ball of craft putty, sculpting clay, or homemade play dough into your very own fish.
Listen to instructions
Download instructions
Escucha las instrucciones
Descargar instrucciones
Pyjama sharks at the Academy (video)
Take a behind-the-scenes look at the Academy's pyjama sharks as they are fed and trained. Then, watch as they meet their new roommates…the African penguins!
While you watch this video, think about the three questions below. Share your answers with a friend or family member or just think in your head.
- What do you notice about how the pyjama sharks move and swim? Try moving your body like a pyjama shark by copying their movements.
- Do you have a pet at home? How do you think it knows where to find its food?
- What did you notice the penguin and the shark do when they see each other for the first time? What do you imagine they might be thinking?
Listen to guiding questions
Day 2: Toothy sharks
All living things have to eat—and a shark’s no different. By having the right-shaped teeth, they can eat their favorite foods with ease. Today, learn about shark teeth, make a shark tooth necklace, and more. (30-45 minutes)
Mega tooth, mini tooth (video)
Shark tooth necklace (craft)
Different types of sharks have different types of teeth. Some sharks have big teeth, some have small teeth. Some sharks have teeth that are thin and pointy while other sharks have teeth that are short and curved. In this craft, you decide the shape and size for your replica shark tooth and then turn it into a necklace.
Listen to instructions
How sharks eat (video)
Color a great white (coloring)
Day 3: Fin-credible sharks
Sharks have cruised the seas for over 450 million years and evolved into more than 500 different species. Explore the uniqueness of sharks with a sound journey, sandpaper craft, and more. (30-45 minutes)
Shark sounds journey (audio)
Sharks are one of the ocean’s most important predators. Meditate along with an imaginary narration from a shark’s point of view as it cruises through the ocean.
After you listen, think about the four questions below. Share your answers with a friend or family member, or just think in your head.
- What did you like most about being a shark?
- What is your wish for the shark?
- Take a piece of paper and some crayons, markers, or colored pencils, and draw what you saw on your shark journey. What did your shark look like? Where did it live? What did it eat? Write your wish for your shark on your drawing.
- Share your drawing and your wish for your shark with us! Send it to scienceathome@calacademy.org.
Listen to guiding questions
Sandpaper shark (craft)
Have you ever wondered how a shark’s scales feel? Sharks have specialized scales called dermal denticles that help them swim more efficiently and quietly through the water. But they sure aren’t soft! Make your own shark and learn about how this adaptation helps sharks be successful in their ocean habitat.
Listen to instructions
Download instructions
Escucha las instrucciones
Descargar instrucciones
Baby sharks (video)
Color three sharks (coloring)
Day 4: Cousin Ray
They may look very different, but rays are actually closely related to sharks. Celebrate rays with four fun activities. Hip, hip, hooray! (30-45 minutes)
Reef Lagoon cam (video)
The Reef Lagoon habitat at the Academy is home to several species of graceful rays and tropical fish. Watch the animal action anytime on our webcam.
While you watch this video, think about the three questions below. Share your answers with a friend or family member or just think in your head.
- How would you describe the shape of the ray’s body?
- As you watch the rays swim, what do you notice about the way they move and swim? Try moving your body like a ray by copying their movements.
- What other animals do you see swimming in the lagoon with the rays?
Listen to guiding questions
Lagoon friends (coloring)
Caring for rays (video)
Welcome to the splash zone! See how Academy biologists take care of our rays through training and enrichment. To learn more, read this article.
While you watch this video, think about the three questions below. Share your answers with a friend or family member or just think in your head.
- Have you ever had a pet? What did you do to take care of it?
- When the rays swim to the biologist’s hand, they are rewarded with a treat, like a small, tasty fish. What type of treats do you like to eat?
- Watch as the rays suck the food off of the biologist’s hand. What do you think it would feel like to have a ray eating out of your hand?
Listen to guiding questions
Spotty stingrays (craft)
Some rays have patterns that help them blend in to the sandy bottom, others have beautiful bright blue spots. In this craft, you will create a ray and rub a textured pattern onto its back.
Listen to instructions
Download instructions
Escucha las instrucciones
Descargar instrucciones
Kid & caregiver extension activities
Sharks are powerful predators—but they're no match for humans. It will take compassion, understanding, and action by kids and adults alike to protect vulnerable sharks.
Spotted eagle rays (video)
Researchers are getting to know a population of spotted eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari) in Florida in order to protect them. Read this article to learn more.
While you watch this video with your parent or another adult, think about the three questions below. Then, share and discuss your thoughts after watching the video.
- What tools or technologies do you notice the researchers using to study the rays?
- What are the researchers trying to learn about the spotted eagle rays?
- What are some threats to spotted eagle rays?
Listen to guiding questions