This is a great warm-up activity, introducing the topic of tides, which are the alternating advance and retreat of seawater along a coastline. Most shorelines experience two high and two low tides within a twenty-four-hour period, though some areas have just one of each.
Tides affect marine ecosystems by influencing the kinds of plants and animals that thrive in what is known as the intertidal zone—the area between high and low tide.
JARGON BUSTER! The intertidal zone is an extreme ecosystem where the ocean meets the land between high and low tides. This ecosystem can include different types of habitats (e.g. rocky shores and mudflats) and a multitude of hardy species.
Anything living here must be able to survive changes in moisture, temperature, and salinity and withstand crashing waves – super hardy! For example, barnacles, mussels, and kelps can survive in this environment by anchoring themselves to the rocks.
What you will need:
- An open space (this could be by the coast, a grassy area in your local park, or an indoor space)
How to Play:
- Mark the boundaries of a rough area so everyone knows to stay in the zone during the game.
- Point to one side of your ‘zone’ and make this low tide. Point to the other side and make this high tide.
- Have everyone warm up by moving their body like a wave – can everyone make a wave sound?
- You can read out from the list below, asking your group if they think they will see these things in high or low tide. If they think it’s high tide, run to the high tide side, and vice versa for low tide! You can also come up with your own prompts… or encourage your group to think of some!
