Looking for Early Years outdoor mermaid activities? A mermaid theme is a lovely way to bring storytelling, sensory play, water exploration, movement, mark-making and maths into your EYFS outdoor area. Children can create lagoons, search for shells, rescue sea creatures, follow treasure maps and build magical underwater worlds. To learn more about what Early Years Outdoors looks like at The Muddy Puddle Teacher. Start with our Beginners Guide to Early Years Outdoors.
These ideas are simple, low-prep and ideal for Nursery and Reception children.
New to Outdoor Learning? Start Here
If outdoor learning feels overwhelming, start small.
Try:
One 10-minute mermaid activity
One outdoor water tray or sensory invitation
One simple treasure hunt using shells, stones or picture cards
You do not need expensive resources. You can use:
water trays
shells
stones
leaves
sticks
chalk
blue fabric
hoops
buckets
cups
brushes
clipboards
sea creature toys
natural loose parts
The aim is not to create a perfect outdoor lesson. The aim is to give children meaningful, playful experiences outdoors that support talk, imagination, movement and early learning. Outdoor Play can be a bit overwhelming, let our outdoor play expert teachers help with this Outdoor Play Guide for Early Years.
We have resources created by teachers for all age ranges of early years, such as babies, toddlers and the foundation stage.
Try This Tomorrow
If you only do one thing, try this:
Mermaid Shell Hunt
Hide shells, stones, blue counters, sea creature pictures or laminated treasure cards around your outdoor area. Tell the children the mermaid has lost her treasures and needs their help to find them.
Ask:
What have you found?
How many treasures do we have?
Is it big or small?
Where did you find it?
Can you put it in the mermaid lagoon?
Time: 10–15 minutes
Prep: Low
Learning: Counting, positional language, communication, movement and imaginative play
This is a brilliant quick win because children have a clear mission and can join in straight away. Ready to download? Start now, take a free 60-day trial.
Do your babies love exploring minibeasts? Explore Bug Ideas for Babies.
Early Years Outdoor Mermaid Activity Ideas
1. Mermaid Lagoon Water Tray
Create a mermaid lagoon using a water tray, washing-up bowl or shallow container.
Add:
shells
stones
leaves
blue fabric
sea creature toys
cups
spoons
brushes
buckets
small boats
Children can scoop, pour, mix, float, sink, rescue and describe what they notice.
Useful vocabulary:
float
sink
splash
swirl
deep
shallow
wet
dry
full
empty
smooth
rough
This supports sensory exploration, fine motor skills, communication and early science.
2. Build an Underwater Kingdom
Invite children to create an underwater kingdom using natural materials and loose parts.
They could use:
stones for caves
sticks for bridges
leaves for seaweed
petals for coral
bark for boats
logs for islands
fabric for waves
chalk for ocean paths
Add mermaid figures, sea creatures or small world characters if you have them.
Ask:
Where does the mermaid live?
Where is the treasure hidden?
Who else lives under the sea?
How can we make a cave?
What does the mermaid need?
This supports storytelling, construction, communication and collaborative play.
3. Mermaid Treasure Maps
Take mark-making outdoors by asking children to create treasure maps for the mermaid.
Children could draw:
a lagoon
a cave
a bridge
seaweed
waves
treasure
a safe path
a danger sign
Use chalk, clipboards, cardboard, large paper or sticks in mud.
You could say:
“The mermaid needs a map to find her way back to the treasure.”
This gives children a playful reason to make marks and attach meaning to them.
4. Ocean Maths Mission
Use the mermaid theme to support outdoor maths.
Try:
count 5 shells
sort stones by size
make a shell pattern
find 3 blue objects
compare long and short pieces of seaweed
put 4 treasures in the lagoon
measure the ocean path with footsteps
hide number cards as mermaid clues
This supports counting, sorting, comparing, pattern, number recognition and mathematical language.
5. Mermaid Movement Trail
Create a simple ocean adventure trail outdoors.
Children could:
jump over waves
balance across stepping stones
crawl through a sea cave
stretch like seaweed
tiptoe past the sleeping shark
spin gently like a whirlpool
carry a sea creature back to safety
Use chalk, hoops, cones, crates or natural features already in your outdoor space.
This supports gross motor skills, imagination, listening and following instructions.
Mermaid Activity for SEND Support
Calm Ocean Rescue Tray
Set up a quieter mermaid-themed tray with shells, smooth stones, water, blue fabric, sea creature toys and simple picture prompts.
Children can:
choose a shell
rescue one sea creature
match objects to pictures
sort treasures
scoop water
feel smooth stones
place objects in the lagoon
This can support:
sensory regulation
communication
confidence
fine motor skills
turn-taking
predictable routines
Use short, clear instructions:
“Find a shell. Put it in the lagoon. Rescue the sea creature.”
This keeps the activity structured, calm and accessible.
Want Ready-to-Teach Outdoor Learning Resources?
The Muddy Puddle Teacher Club helps busy teachers save planning time with:
ready-to-use EYFS outdoor activities
mermaid and ocean-themed ideas
outdoor maths and literacy
SEND-friendly resources
seasonal activities
topic-based planning ideas
simple ways to take learning outside
Ready to download? Start now, take a free 60-day trial.
FAQs
What are good Early Years outdoor mermaid activities?
Good Early Years outdoor mermaid activities include shell hunts, mermaid lagoons, underwater kingdom building, treasure maps, ocean maths missions, sea creature rescues and mermaid movement trails.
How can I teach a mermaid theme outdoors in EYFS?
You can teach a mermaid theme outdoors through water play, storytelling, treasure hunts, mark-making, maths, movement, sensory play and small world activities using natural materials.
What EYFS areas of learning do mermaid activities support?
Mermaid activities can support communication and language, physical development, personal, social and emotional development, literacy, maths, understanding the world and expressive arts and design.
Are mermaid activities good for early writing?
Yes. Mermaid activities are brilliant for early writing because children can create treasure maps, shell labels, ocean signs, lost mermaid posters, invitations and simple messages.
How can mermaid activities support outdoor maths?
Mermaid activities can support outdoor maths through counting shells, sorting stones, making patterns, comparing sizes, measuring paths and recognising number clues.
What resources do I need for outdoor mermaid activities?
You can start with water trays, shells, stones, leaves, chalk, blue fabric, buckets, cups, clipboards, cardboard and sea creature toys. You do not need expensive equipment.
Can mermaid activities support SEND learners?
Yes. Mermaid activities can be adapted with visual prompts, calm sensory trays, simple choices, repeated routines, quiet spaces and short instructions. They can support regulation, confidence, communication and participation.
How can I do mermaid activities without lots of water?
Use blue fabric, chalk waves, shell trails, dry sensory trays, sea creature pictures, stones, leaves and small world play. You can still create a mermaid theme without heavy water use.
Ready for More EYFS Outdoor Learning Ideas?
If you want more simple, curriculum-linked outdoor learning ideas for Early Years, join The Muddy Puddle Teacher Club.
Ready to download? Start now, take a free 60-day trial.
