My kids saw the movie Dolphin Tale, and they went through a mini obsession with dolphins. I love taking advantage of those when they are interested in a subject and diving into it. My kids had a blast learning about dolphins, so I wanted to share the resources we used. They wanted to know everything about dolphins, so this momma was online for a few days pulling it all together. I hope this dolphin unit study saves you some time! We have even more Homeschool Units for you to use as well, right here on the website.
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Learning about Dolphins with Let's Find Out Science Dolphin Talk Mini Unit
We love the let's read and find out book series. They have several stages for different ages, but there is so much info in the books paired with bright, colorful pictures. Here is how we turned the book Dolphin Talk into a whole unit on dolphins.
I have got two kids' dolphin crafts along with a printable I created and a bunch of other resources we used!
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How many types of Dolphins are there?
There are around forty-nine different species of dolphins. Some of the more well-known types include the bottlenose dolphin, common dolphin, and spinner dolphin. They vary in size from just a few feet long to almost twenty feet long, and they can be found in waters all over the world.
Why are dolphins so smart?
Dolphins are considered to be some of the smartest animals in the world. Scientists believe that dolphins’ high level of intelligence is due to their advanced social structure and the fact that they are constantly learning from one another. Dolphins have also been known to use tools, solve puzzles, and even save humans from drowning.
Dolphin Printables
How long can a dolphin stay underwater?
Dolphins can stay underwater for about eight to ten minutes. They need to come up for air to breathe because they are mammals and need oxygen just like we do. Interestingly, dolphins have a “swim bladder” which helps them control their buoyancy in the water and stay submerged for extended periods of time.
Dolphin Paper Plate Puppet Craft
Puppets are a fun way for kids to act out the stories they read or to interact with others. This paper plate dolphin craft for kids is a simple way to learn about dolphins while having fun. You only need a few common crafting supplies, and when you are done kids can use their puppets in so many ways.
Related: How to Use Your Surroundings to Homeschool
What you need to make the Dolphin Paper Plate Craft
Paper plate
Blue craft paint
Paintbrush
Scissors
Googly eye
Straw or woodcraft stick
How to make a Paper Plate Dolphin
Begin by applying a coat of blue craft paint to the paper plate. You only need to paint one side. Allow the paint to dry.
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Once the paint is dry, cut out a simple dolphin shape. A curved body is all you need.
Using the remaining plate pieces, cut out some simple fins. You will need a fin for the back of the dolphin as well as tail fins.
Add a dab of glue to the back of a googly eye and press it to the face of the dolphin.
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Now add the fins. A simple dab of glue will do the trick. Just dab and press to the top and end of the dolphin.
Add one last drop of glue to the back of the dolphin and press it to the craft stick or straw.
Once your dolphin is dry, it is ready to be used and displayed. It makes for a great reading buddy!
Dolphin Paper Plate Craft
Dolphin paper plate craft is an easy and fun way to entertain your kids on a rainy day. This simple craft is perfect for any age and can be done in minutes. Your kids will love creating their own dolphin friend to play with.
Materials
- Paper plate
- Blue craft paint
- Googly eye
- Straw or woodcraft stick
- Glue
Tools
- Scissors
- Paint Brush
Instructions
- Begin by applying a coat of blue craft paint to the paper plate. You only need to paint one side. Allow the paint to dry.
- Once the paint is dry, cut out a simple dolphin shape. A curved body is all you need.
- Using the remaining plate pieces, cut out some simple fins. You will need a fin for the back of the dolphin as well as tail fins.
- Add a dab of glue to the back of a googly eye and press it to the face of the dolphin.
- Now add the fins. A simple dab of glue will do the trick. Just dab and press to the top and end of the dolphin.
- Add one last drop of glue to the back of the dolphin and press it to the craft stick or straw.
- Once your dolphin is dry, it is ready to be used and displayed. It makes for a great reading buddy!
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Dolphin Clothespin Craft
Create this adorable dolphin clothespin craft to accompany your learning about dolphin-related texts and lessons. It is easy for kids of all ages and can be created in under 30 minutes using basic crafting supplies.
Related: Easy Popsicle Stick Crafts
What you need to make the Dolphin Clothespin Craft
Wooden clothespin
Blue craft paint
Paintbrush
Blue felt or craft paper
Craft glue
Pair of googly eyes
How to make the Dolphin Clothespin Craft
Begin by applying two coats of blue craft paint to the wooden clothespin. Allow coats to dry in between applications.
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While the paint dries, you can create the fins and tail of the dolphin. Using your felt or paper, cut out a small curved triangle for the fin, a pair of fins for the side, and a curved tail as shown. Just freehand these, as they don’t have to be perfectly symmetrical.
Add a dab of glue to the small fin and press it to the top of the clothespin.
Add a dab of glue to the side fins and tail and press to the clothespin as shown.
Take the eyes and dab some glue behind each, and press them to the top of the clothespin.
Once the glue is dry you can use your dolphin clip as a bookmark, as a clip to hold items together, or even as a puppet or reading buddy.
Dolphin Clothespin Craft
Check out our Dolphin Clothespin Craft! This cute craft is perfect for kids of all ages and can be made in just a few minutes.
Materials
- Wooden clothespin
- Blue craft paint
- Blue felt or craft paper
- Craft glue
- Pair of googly eyes
Tools
- Paintbrush
Instructions
- Begin by applying two coats of blue craft paint to the wooden clothespin. Allow coats to dry in between applications.
- While the paint dries, you can create the fins and tail of the dolphin. Using your felt or paper, cut out a small curved triangle for the fin, a pair of fins for the side, and a curved tail as shown. Just freehand these, as they don’t have to be perfectly symmetrical.
- Add a dab of glue to the small fin and press it to the top of the clothespin.
- Add a dab of glue to the side fins and tail and press to the clothespin as shown.
- Take the eyes and dab some glue behind each, and press them to the top of the clothespin.
- Once the glue is dry you can use your dolphin clip as a bookmark, as a clip to hold items together, or even as a puppet or reading buddy.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
I made a printable to go with this book for my youngest who wanted to be included in our lesson! You can grab a copy of this 10-page printable pack with a maze, word search, dolphin park labeling, drawing activity, sorting activity, missing letters, connect the dots, and graphing game. Best of all the printable is FREE in my shop right now!
Here are a few other printables that we used.
Dolphin Books
Of course, we suggest the Dolphin Talk book for learning about dolphins but we also read a few others.
Dolphins: Amazing Pictures & Fun Facts on Animals in Nature (Our Amazing World Series)
National Geographic Readers: Dolphins
National Geographic Kids Everything Dolphins: Dolphin Facts, Photos, and Fun that Will Make You Flip
Hope for Winter: The True Story of A Remarkable Dolphin Friendship
Whales and Dolphins Coloring Book (Dover Nature Coloring Book)
Here are two slightly more advanced chapter books to add in too if your children are old enough. Or they make great read-alouds.
Dolphins at Daybreak (Magic Tree House, No. 9)
Island of the Blue Dolphins – There are so many printable and unit studies to go along with this book as well!
Dolphin Movies
Dolphin Tales and Dolphin Tales 2
We hope you will have just as much fun learning about dolphins as we did!
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