What To Teach In July: Songs About The Ocean
July is the perfect time to dive into ocean-themed learning with your youngest students! As summer is in full swing, children are naturally drawn to all things water—making it an ideal opportunity to explore songs about the ocean in fun, engaging, and meaningful ways. From splashing sea creatures to gentle waves, ocean-themed songs can help teach musical concepts like tempo, dynamics, and rhythm, all while encouraging movement and imaginative play. Below are some of our favorite ocean-themed songs for you to try with your students! 🌊🐠☀️
“There’s a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea” is one of those timeless cumulative songs that children absolutely love! The repetitive structure, silly sequencing, and growing list of elements make it perfect for preschool and elementary music classes.
💡 Implementation Idea:
Movement keeps students engaged and helps them remember the cumulative text.
Try assigning a gesture to each item:
Hole → make a circle with hands
Log → stretch arms long
Bump → tap head
Frog → hop
Flea → have hands pretend to fly like a flea
Speck-tiny finger pinch
“The Goldfish” by Laurie Berkner is a preschool music favorite for a reason! With its playful movement opportunities, catchy repetition, and imaginative storytelling, this song instantly gets children engaged and moving. It’s especially effective for preschool, pre-k, kindergarten, and early elementary music classes because it naturally combines singing, listening, movement, and dramatic play.
Encourage students to move and act out the lyrics as they sing:
swim around the room
make fish lips
pretend to take a shower
pretend to bicycle
pretend to brush teeth
take a nap and wake up dramatically
shout “Wait a minute!”
“Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” is a wonderful addition to ocean, beach, summer, Hawaii, or surfing-themed music lessons. The relaxed island feel and joyful energy make it perfect for introducing movement, culture, rhythm, and imaginative play in preschool and elementary music classes.
One of the easiest and most engaging implementations is turning the song into a surfing adventure.
Invite students to:
balance like surfers
sway with the waves
paddle on surfboards
jump over imaginary waves
ride “big waves” during louder sections
Try pairing this song with a blue canopy scarf or giant parachute to make big waves to go along with this catchy song.
“A Gentle Wave” by Stephanie Leavell has a soft melody with ocean imagery and is ideal for transitions and mindfulness practice.
💡 Implementation Idea:
Lead students through a guided breathing exercise: inhale as the "wave" comes in, exhale as it goes out. Pair with a canopy scarf (my favorite prop!) or visuals of waves or calming ocean scenes. Optional: use a pinwheel or feather for a visual cue during breathing.
Looking for more ideas? Check out our “Ocean Songs For Kids” playlist and our “Beach Songs For Kids” playlist on Spotify!
