If you’re looking for gifts for a child who likes marine life and aquariums, you’re in the right place! Kids are like sponges (or sponge coral!), soaking up information and love for the things around them. What better thing to immerse them in than marine life and the underwater world? Our gift guide below includes options for all ages and interests, from recycled plastic toys to bath-time aquarium fun!
Marine-Themed Books
Books are one of the best ways to aid a child’s development, fueling their imagination and vocabulary. For little ones, look for books with flaps and pop-ups, big pictures and even noises to play along with! For slightly older kids, you might want to choose an option that’s more educational and informative about marine animals. Below, we’ll share some great book gifts for a child who likes marine life and aquariums.
For Little Ones:
For Bigger Ones:
- Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist
- Children’s Encyclopedia of Ocean Life: A Deep Dive into Our World’s Oceans by Claudia Martin
Snorkelling Gear for Kids
While small children might not be ready for diving, they can still thrive while exploring marine environments with snorkeling gear. Additionally, many experts recommend getting children used to the water from an early age, which new snorkeling gear can help encourage.
A good snorkelling set for kids will typically include a mask, fins, and snorkel of the right size. If the recipient of your gift has an upcoming vacation or is lucky enough to live near the ocean, some new snorkeling gear is a great option. If not, most kids will also enjoy using a mask and snorkel in the bath.
- AosDero Blue Snorkeling Set with Mask, Fins and Snorkel
- Speedo Pink Junior Adventure Mask & Snorkel Set
- Swin Goggles with Aquarium-Theme Strap
Marine Life Plush Toys
It’s pretty safe to say all kids love plush toys and stuffed animals. However, we like to keep a focus on eco-friendly options that love the planet, too. All the toys listed below have been created from a form of recycled plastic, aiding our mission to help Save the Ocean.
- Shore Buddies Shelly the Seaturtle – made from recycled plastic bottles!
- Ebb Tidee Toy’s Leaf Sheep Plush Nudibranch – made from recycled plastic bottles!
Bath Toys
One of the best gifts for a child who likes marine life and aquariums would be something to use in the water. Bath toys also encourage sensory play and fine motor skils in babies and toddlers. The options we’ve selected below are mold free, meaning they are unlikely to produce mold when kept wet for long periods of time.
- Aquarium Bath Squirters
- Munchkin Ocean Bath Toys
- Ocean-Themed Bath Mat
- Color-Changing Sea Animal Toys
PADI Bubblemaker Program
For children who love marine life and aquariums and are eight or nine years old, the PADI Bubblemaker program makes a wonderful gift that offers a unique opportunity to explore the underwater world in a fun and safe environment. This program allows kids to experience the thrill of scuba diving in shallow, controlled waters under the guidance of a PADI Instructor. Not only will they get to take their first breaths underwater, but they’ll also build confidence, learn about ocean conservation, and create lasting memories of adventure and discovery.
Most PADI Dive Shops offer gift cards for courses. To get started, search for a PADI Dive Shop near you or the location where the receiver lives.
PADI Junior Open Water Diver Course (for Older Kids)
For children 10 years old, and up to 15 years old, who like marine life and aquariums, gifts don’t get much better than the PADI Junior Open Water Diver course. The Junior Open Water Diver course covers the same educational content as the PADI Open Water Diver course, but it’s adapted for a younger audience. The course is ideal for ocean and marine life lovers who are yearning for an underwater adventure! At the completion of the course, children aged 10 to 11 will be certified to dive up to 12 meters (40 feet) with a PADI Professional. Those aged 12 to 15 will be certified to dive up to 18 meters (60 feet) with a certified adult.
To give someone the gift of their initial scuba diving certification course, purchase the eLearning portion of the course and send it to the recipient. The recipient will then need to complete the in-water portion of the course at a PADI Dive Shop anywhere in the world.
Spread Some Ocean Love!
Whether it’s a birthday, a holiday, or just because, these are exciting gifts for a child who likes marine life and aquariums. You might further spark their interest in exploring the ocean, and lead them to become a diver one day!
Check out PADI’s other gift guides:
