Geotoys DIY GeoCamp: Oceania

Looking for geographically-inspired activities for kids? Here's our take on Summer Camp, with stuff to do during when school's off or for anytime of year. This collection is all about Oceania, an area of the planet that includes the islands of the Pacific Ocean and the seas around them

Here's what you'll need:

Supplies

Library Card!
Lined paper for writing
Construction paper
Glue and/or tape
Modeling clay
String
Sticks (popsical, twigs, etc.)
GeoPuzzles Australia & Oceania puzzle, World Map or Atlas
Download “Google Earth” if you’re comfortable with exploring the region with a tablet or smartphone

Activity 1: Introduction to Oceania

Check out the library

The best place to start this week of activities!

What to do when you get there:

Storytime
- Read aloud stories or legends from Aboriginal and Pacific Island cultures. Ask your librarian for recommendations!

Check out a non-fiction book
- Once you’ve had some time with the stories of a place, it’s good to explore what is REAL about its people and culture. Take a look at this week’s activities and pick a non-fiction book to help you explore more for that day.

Activity 2: The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest mass of coral reefs in the world!

Learn more about this wonder online: we recommend https://www.barrierreef.org/the-reef/kids

Create what you’ve seen!

Grab some modeling clay and create a sculpture of your favorite underwater discovery from your Great Barrier Reef online “research.”
Want to share? Post pics of your camper’s creations and tag #geotoys #DIYSummercamp!

Activity 3: The Australian Outback

Take a virtual tour using Google Earth
Although it covers nearly three-quarters of the continent, the Outback supports only about 800,000 residents – less than 5% of the Australian population (Pew Charitable Trust, 2014). Grab a tablet or phone and navigate your way over to Australia. Can you guess what areas are outback and what is not?

Outback animals - which would you adopt?
Using a computer (or better, if you grabbed a book on Australia from the library, use it!), and browse for information on animals of the Australian Outback. Is there one you’d like to live with you (or maybe not)? Draw a picture and list three reasons why your animal would make the best (or worst) roommate!

Activity 4: Oceania “Island Hopping”

Ancient navigation
If you look closely at the Pacific Ocean, you’ll notice small islands that are very, very far apart. Polynesians used the stars, ocean currents, and wind patterns to navigate across vast ocean distances (this is still done today! Great Big Story did a great story on Sailing Across the World's Oceans with No Tech).

Build your ship
Polynesians built their double-hulled canoes with no bolts or nails, only rope to hold it together!
Grab some sticks and string and with only these materials see if you can create a vessel that floats.

Activity 5: Find That Island!

Just how many islands are we talking about?
According to Britannica.com, “Oceania...includes more than 10,000 islands, with a total land area (excluding Australia but including Papua New Guinea and New Zealand) of approximately 317,700 square miles (822,800 square km)”

Let’s go find some!
Using your Australia & Oceania GeoPuzzle, World Map, Atlas or Google Earth (don’t use the search!), locate the following islands: