World Oceans Day: A Complete Guide to Explaining It to Children

It is impossible to overestimate the importance of the oceans. In their deep abysses, the first forms of life on Earth were born, and today billions of people, animals, and living beings still depend on them. Incredibly diverse, each ocean has its own character and personality: the familiar but ever-changing Atlantic Ocean connecting the old world to the new; the Pacific Ocean, unpredictable and powerful with its storms; the turquoise Indian Ocean, with paradisiacal atolls and tropical temperatures; and finally, the polar oceans, Arctic and Antarctic, with their ice and mysteries.

Despite their importance and wonders, the oceans are now threatened: plastic pollution and rising temperatures caused by global warming pose a huge danger to the delicate balance of marine life. This is why World Oceans Day is a crucial opportunity to teach children the importance of oceans and environmental respect through play and other enjoyable activities.

Activities to Teach Children Respect for the Environment and the Ocean

Children are the adults of the future, so it is essential to teach them about the environmental impact of human activities. However, talking alone is not enough, because children may struggle to understand and quickly forget. Creative, participatory activities are far more effective.

• Waste collection: There is no better way to teach children environmental respect than by exposing them to the evidence of pollution, especially in seas and oceans. If possible, spending a day on the beach collecting litter can help children actively protect nature, and they will remember it in the future, encouraging responsible behaviour with waste and plastic.

Recommended Books for Children for World Oceans Day

Alternatively, to teach children about environmental respect, reading can be very effective. Few things ignite a child’s interest like a well-illustrated book. Here are some books and activity books perfect for explaining World Oceans Day in an engaging and fun way:

• Sea. An Extraordinary World Among the Waves: a wonderful book for discovering the magic and mysteries of the sea. Through Britta Teckentrup’s illustrations, children can safely explore the underwater world and learn about its extraordinary creatures, from coral to colourful fish.

• Friends of the Sea: a starfish-shaped book with a sweet rhyming text, gentle illustrations, and iridescent details, taking children on a beautiful underwater journey to discover a wide variety of playful, colourful fish.

• Q-Box. The Sea: this box contains a 10-page book, a 40-piece puzzle, and 10 shaped figurines to place on the puzzle, teaching children to recognise many creatures of the seas and oceans, from the largest to the smallest.

• Travel, Learn and Explore. The Sea: this kit includes a puzzle and a book exploring the oceans of the world and the magnificent creatures living there. A perfect educational activity book to discover the secrets of the aquatic world and the importance of oceans for land too.

• Stickers and Activities. The Sea: with this book, children can explore marine animals and ocean facts through colouring pages, intricate mazes, and 60 stickers.

• What, How, Why. The Sea: a book that examines major questions and topics about the oceans, perfect for curious young explorers of marine life.

The oceans are essential for life on Earth, and to protect them, children must learn to love and respect them. Whether through books or concrete actions, it is crucial to teach children about marine biodiversity and its incredible fragility.