Ocean Animal Movement Cards

Does your preschool or kindergarten student ever need a break to shake out the sillies? (I already know the answer!) Grab this set of free ocean animal movement cards and help improve your student’s focus with gross motor movements.

You can find all of our movement cards here.

What’s Included in the Ocean Animal Movement Cards?

The file includes 20 cards with these exercises:

• scuttle like a crab
• puff up like a blowfish
• flap like a stingray
• leap like a dolphin
• hide like a clownfish
• wobble like a jellyfish
• slide like a sea snail
• clap like a seal
• hunt like a shark
• stretch like a sea urchin

• bob like a seahorse
• slither like an eel
• open and shut like a clam
• dive like a turtle
• wave like an octopus
• chomp like an anglerfish
• crawl like a lobster
• swish like a fish
• cling like a starfish
• shoot like a squid

Add some enthusiasm while demonstrating the actions, and your students will catch on quickly. The cards are best used with the prompting of a teacher (or group leader—if you want to have one of the kids take the lead).

Make up your own actions for each card. For “open and shut like a clam,” you could open and close your eyes while at the same time making a huge clap with your hands or arms opening and shutting in front of you.

Consider using big, dramatic movements to help your students get their wiggles out.

How to Use the Animal Action Cards for Kids

1. Download the free printable file of animal movement cards.
2. Print the cards on cardstock.
3. If desired, laminate for durability.
4. Cut out the cards.

If you are at home, you can use the action cards in a variety of ways. Here are a few ideas:

Put them in a jar. When your student gets the wiggles, let her choose one and act out the card together.

Hide the cards around the house. When your student needs a break from schoolwork, go on a hunt for a card. Find one (or two or three!) and act out the exercises together.

Download Your Free Movement Cards Printable

Simply add your email address to the form below in order to grab your ocean animal action cards.

More Ocean Animal Printables and Resources for Your Students

If you are building an ocean theme for your preschool or kindergarten students, try these printables.