Make an underwater viewer

Underwater viewers are great for when you’re out exploring rock pools, or maybe walking, or even kayaking around the shore. Make up our easy one here, and use it to spot some of the marine plants and animals living around Aotearoa. Remember – always keep safe around water. Stay with an adult and always check the weather and tides.

What to do

Get your bottle out of your recycling bin, or ask your school or neighbour for one. Rinse it with warm water to get any remaining liquids out.

Measure the width of one side of your head to the other.

Take the bottle, turn it on its side, and draw an oval the width of your head.

Cut out the oval as smoothly as you can. (Get an adult to help).

Wrap waterproof tape around where you’ve cut, to avoid cutting yourself on any sharp bits.

Put the bottle top on, so you can put the bottle deeper in the water without water getting in. To secure it to your wrist, make a wrist band with the tape, so there is never a risk of it floating away!

You might see…

1: Red beadlet anemone

2: Hermit crab

3: Cat’s eye snail

4: Snakeskin chiton

Thanks to the NZ Marine Studies Centre for photos of what you might find.

Find out more about your nearest seashore!

Go to the NZ Marine Studies Centre website for free guides. Plus – did you know about the Marine Studies Centre’s Mm2 project? This citizen science project aims to build up a picture of what lives on our shores, and to monitor changes. Find out how you can take part.