World Turtle Day / Hatchling Dash to Sea
Hatchling Dash to Sea
Children become baby sea turtles racing from their beach nest to the ocean, dodging crab and bird taggers and following the real moonlight while ignoring the bright lights of houses.
How to run it
- Mark a nest at one end of the space and the sea at the other end.
- Explain that hatchlings head for the brightest horizon, usually moonlight on the water.
- Choose a few crabs and birds as taggers, and have an educator stand to the side holding a 'house light' sign.
- Hatchlings run from nest to sea; tagged hatchlings become taggers or rest on the beach.
- Talk about why some beaches turn off lights during nesting season.
You will need
- cones
- sign or torch for the house light
Make it easier or harderYounger children can play with one tagger and a short run; older children can add rounds where house lights pull hatchlings off course.
SafetyMark clear boundaries and play on grass.
My Time Our Place · Outcome 3, Outcome 2Children stay active while learning how human choices affect turtle survival.
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