Study intertidal zones
Visit a shore during low tide and study intertidal zones by observing, sketching, and recording animals, plants, and tide changes in a notebook.
About this activity
Visit a shore during low tide and study intertidal zones by observing, sketching, and recording animals, plants, and tide changes in a notebook.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Check the local tide schedule to find the exact low tide time for the shore you will visit.
- 2
Step 2
Pack your notebook pencil coloring materials magnifying glass and small clear container into a bag.
- 3
Step 3
Put on sturdy shoes and a sun hat.
- 4
Step 4
Go to the chosen shore with an adult at the scheduled low tide.
- 5
Step 5
Choose a small stretch of exposed shore to study about the size of a picnic blanket.
- 6
Step 6
Look across that stretch and write the visible zones in your notebook for example wet rocks tide pools and dry sand.
- 7
Step 7
Use your magnifying glass to examine a tide pool or a rock without removing or moving animals and plants.
- 8
Step 8
Sketch one animal or plant you see in your notebook.
- 9
Step 9
Write notes next to the sketch that include the time where you found it how it moved and its approximate size.
- 10
Step 10
Repeat the examine sketch and note steps for a second organism in a different nearby zone.
- 11
Step 11
If you used the container briefly return any animals carefully to the exact spot you found them.
- 12
Step 12
Clean your hands with hand sanitizer or wash with fresh water.
- 13
Step 13
Back home make a tidy summary page in your notebook by adding colored sketches labels and a short sentence about what you learned.
- 14
Step 14
Share your finished creation on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do I study intertidal zones at low tide with my child?
Plan around a published tide chart so you arrive well before low tide. Walk slowly, observe without turning over too many rocks, and let kids sketch or jot notes in a waterproof notebook. Record time, location, tide height, and behaviors; take photos for later ID. Encourage quiet watching, compare zones (splash, mid, low), and discuss patterns. Always stay with your child and avoid stepping on fragile organisms.
What materials do I need to study intertidal zones with my child?
Bring a waterproof notebook, pencils, and a waterproof pen; a small hand lens, field guide or ID app, camera or phone, and a tide chart. Wear sturdy water shoes or boots, sun protection, hats, and layers. Pack a small bucket for seawater samples, zip bags for non-living finds, wet wipes, and a basic first-aid kit. Bring drinking water and snacks, and consider gloves for handling rough rocks.
What ages is an intertidal zone study suitable for?
Suitable for toddlers through teens with adult supervision. Ages 3–5 enjoy simple touch-and-feel hunts and spotting crabs or shells. Ages 6–9 can sketch, count species, and follow simple data sheets. Ages 10+ can make systematic observations, map zones, and identify species using guides. Always supervise children around water and tailor tasks to attention span and motor skills.
What safety tips should I follow when studying intertidal zones?
Check tide times and weather before you go and never turn your back on the sea. Stay off slippery algae-covered rocks, watch for sudden waves, and keep children within arm’s reach. Don’t pry animals from crevices or disturb habitats; wear appropriate footwear and gloves when needed. Avoid deep pools and strong currents, wash hands after handling organisms, and follow local rules about protected areas or collecting.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have a magnifying glass or a small clear container listed in the packing step?
Use a smartphone camera's zoom or a handheld reading magnifier instead of the magnifying glass, and a clean clear food storage tub or wide jar can substitute for the small clear container when briefly holding animals as described in steps 2 and 11.
What should we do if the shore isn't exposed when we get there or the tide starts coming in while we're studying?
If the shore isn't exposed or the tide begins to rise, stop and move to higher ground with your adult, check the tide schedule again (step 1) and reschedule for the exact low tide so you can safely study the picnic-blanket-sized area in step 4.
How can the activity be adapted for younger children or older kids who want more challenge?
For younger children, focus on one nearby zone, use crayons for quick sketches and have an adult handle the container and magnifying glass during steps 5–9, while older kids can add measurements, species names, photos, and a comparison chart to the tidy summary page in step 13.
How can we extend or personalize the intertidal study beyond the basic instructions before sharing on DIY.org?
Extend the activity by revisiting the same picnic-blanket-sized stretch at different tides, keeping a date-stamped log of sketches, photos and measurements to create a multi-visit comparison page to include on DIY.org as in step 14.