Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Nature · The activity desk
Sea turtle feature observation
Draw a sea turtle and notice its shell and flippers.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
Paper and large child-appropriate crayons, plus a picture of a sea turtle.
Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.
Stay with the child throughout. Check the space and supplies, including anything within reach of younger siblings. Skip any activity that is unsuitable. Stop if a child puts non-food material in their mouth or becomes distressed. Use intact books, full sheets of paper, a large child-appropriate crayon and a clean, dry towel. Follow product labels; remove torn paper and keep broken crayons and caps away from children. Adult handles and stores supplies.
Set up: Look at the turtle picture together.
Adult's role: Stay beside the child and point out the shell and flippers.
Let's make it happen
- Notice the sea turtle's shell and flippers in the picture. Sea turtles are reptiles that live in the ocean.
- Draw an oval shell, a head, and flippers. Add your own shell pattern.
- Draw water around the turtle and trace a pretend swimming path with a finger.
Make it simpler: An adult draws the shell and the child adds marks.
Clean up: Put away the paper and crayons.
Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not approach or touch turtles or nests.