Craft an Underwater Viewer!

Nearly every young child is fascinated by water and the beach. Here's a fun way to bring that excitement home. Create a mini ocean floor and use a homemade underwater viewer to examine the objects beneath the surface! This activity is a learning opportunity disguised as a fun activity. Your child will have a great time splashing around in the water, but he'll also practice his observing, examining and experimenting skills!

What You Need:

• 1-pound coffee can
• Can opener
• Pliers
• Duct tape
• Clear plastic wrap
• Rubber band
• Deep plastic container or large glass dish pan
• Sand
• Water
• Seashells, twigs or tanbark, small pebbles

What to Do:

1. Take the lid off the coffee can and rinse it out.
2. Use the can opener to open the other end of the coffee can. Use the pliers to press down any sharp edges inside the can, then cover with duct tape.
3. Stretch a 12"-16" long piece of plastic wrap over one end of the can. Make sure it's tight over the can's opening, then secure it with a rubber band.
4. Fill the container with a couple inches of sand. Add seashells, pieces of wood, small pebbles and rocks, a piece of coral, or any other ocean-related item.
5. Pour a good amount of water over the sand and objects, making sure that the sand has at least 5 or 6 inches of water over it. Wait for the sand and water to settle.
6. Before using the underwater viewer, encourage your child to describe what everything looks like from the surface of the water. Does it look warped? What shapes do you see?
7. Then, place the plastic-covered end of the underwater viewer a couple inches into the water. Invite your child to peer inside the can to see what everything looks like. Ask him to describe the differences from looking at the objects from above water and underwater!