Every child who has ever watched Finding Nemo has heard of ocean currents. Seriously educational stuff there, folks! While Finding Nemo is definitely not the most educational movie of all time, it can really spark curiosity in kids to find out more about ocean currents, like the East Australian Current, and how they are formed. This ocean current experiment is a fun way to see currents form right before your eyes!
Begin this beach and ocean experiment by filling the clear baking dish about 1/3 full with cold water. Add a few drops of blue food coloring. You won’t want the blue to be too dark or you won’t see the currents forming.
Add a 1-2 cups of ice to the cold water and stir. Let it set for a few minutes for some of the ice to melt. The goal in this ocean science activity is to have very cold water.
Warm water will not give you the same results. (Trust me on that!)
While the ice is melting, boil about 4 cups of water. Add red food coloring to the boiled water, this one you will want to make darker.
When both sets of water & dye are ready, gently pour some of the boiling water into a corner of the baking dish filled with cold water.
More STEM Learning Fun: Building Block Challenge Cards
Then, watch as currents form right before your eyes!
The hot water will push through the cold water creating currents. In the ocean these are faster moving strips of water (like the East Australian Current…)
As an added bonus, we got to see some eddies form! Eddies are circular moving currents and you can see them very clearly in this picture.
Eventually the water mixes together to create lukewarm (and purple) water which is what it also does in the ocean. This easy ocean science experiment is truly magical! Who new there were layers of the ocean?
More STEM activities for kids: Respiratory System Investigation
More STEM activities for kids: STEM Density Experiment
More from our Shop
Find even more engaging activities in the Life Over C’s shop!
Planning for an Ocean Theme? We’ve done all the work for you!
We now have interactive thematic lesson plans for toddlers (18-35 months) AND preschoolers (3-5 years)! Get ready for fun and learning with unit lesson plans for your OCEAN THEME. Explore a variety of themed hands-on activities! Easy to follow lesson plans include activity modifications and adaptations to meet the needs of all learners. For more information, click on the graphics below:
Have fun exploring the ocean with this super fun ocean currents science experiment for kids!
More Marine Biology Activities to Explore:
Marine Mammals or Fish? from Still Playing School
Ocean Animals Food Chain Printables from Living Life and Learning
How Do Fish Breathe? from Parenting Chaos
Why Can’t Freshwater Fish Live in the Ocean? from Schooling a Monkey
{FREE} Ocean Animals & Plants Cards from Preschool Powol Packets
Ocean Animal Addition Cards from The Kindergarten Connection
Ocean Animal Vocabulary Cards from The Letters of Literacy
Super Simple Edible Coral Reef from Lemon Lime Adventures
Coral Reefs Game from Line Upon Line Learning
Number Bonds with Shells from Kidz Activities