Explain to Your Kids Why the Ocean Has Tides
Why does the ocean have low and high tides? This simple and visual activity may help show children how the moon affects the tides.
What you need:
Bucket half full with water
Plastic ball or balloon
1. Place the ball in the bucket so it floats.
2. Push the ball down slowly with both hands.
3. Let the ball come up.
4. Watch and discuss the change in water level.
How to explain the ocean tides like a cool mom!
The Earth’s surface is seventy percent covered with water. Every twelve hours the tides rise and fall without the level of water changing. As the Earth and moon spin, gravity pulls them together and the moon pulls the ocean water right beneath it, causing it to rise and fall. When it is high tide on one side of the Earth, it will be low tide on the other side. This is a good time to bring out the globe to further demonstrate changing tides.
