Five Senses Smell + Art • 3-5 years
What Do You Smell? Five Senses Art
A two-day smell conversation and art project with nose shapes, children’s ideas, and scented flower painting.
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Ocean Theme + Counting Game
Feed the Shark Counting Activity
This feed the shark activity turns a simple ocean printable into a hands-on counting game. Children place colorful fish into the shark's mouth while practicing counting, color names, one-to-one correspondence, and fine motor control.
Best for: Ocean theme, counting centers, color recognition, one-to-one correspondence, fine motor work, and playful language.
Learning Goals
- Counting and one-to-one correspondence
- Color recognition
- Fine motor skills
- Hand-eye coordination
- Ocean animal vocabulary
- Turn-taking and playful language
Materials
- Feed the Shark printable
- Purple or blue construction paper
- Glue
- Scissors
- Laminator or dry-erase pocket, optional
- Small container or tray for fish pieces
How to Do the Activity
- Print and cut out the shark and colorful fish pieces from the printable.
- Glue the shark onto construction paper to make a simple ocean mat.
- Place the fish pieces in a small bowl, tray, or sensory bin.
- Invite children to feed the shark a certain number of fish.
- Count each fish together as it goes into the shark's mouth.
- Try color prompts, such as feed the shark three blue fish.
- Let children create their own silly shark feeding stories.
Questions to Ask Children
- How many fish did the shark eat?
- Which color fish should we feed the shark next?
- Can you feed the shark one more fish?
- Which shark has more fish?
- What other ocean animals might swim nearby?
Teacher Tip: Laminate the shark mats and fish pieces if you want to use this activity again during centers. You can also give each child a number card and ask them to feed the shark that many fish.
Activity video
Watch the counting game in action
Use the video after the activity steps to show how children can feed the shark, count each fish, and practice color words through play.
