top of page
Search

It’s Shark Week, Kid Science Edition!

  • Writer: Amy Wung Tsao
    Amy Wung Tsao
  • Jul 13, 2025
  • 4 min read

Quick links if you’re too busy to scroll:


Shark Science Videos:

Shark Science Books:


Shark Science Experiment:


Keep reading to learn more about how to use these shark science videos, books, and activity to maximize the science and fun!


It’s Shark Week, Kid Science Edition!


“Sharks have everything a scientist dreams of. They're beautiful―God, how beautiful they are! They're like an impossibly perfect piece of machinery. They're as graceful as any bird. They're as mysterious as any animal on earth. ” ~ Peter Benchley (author of Jaws)


Since this is a newsletter about science, I have to inform you that science has declared a sharknado to be “somewhat feasible.”  I mean, vastly improbable, but not impossible. So that’s good to know!


Outside of the movies, there is actually a lot of very cool kid-friendly science around sharks. What animal traits makes a shark a shark? How do scientists even study such a powerful wild animal? And did you know that sharks can sense electricity? 


I’ve got the best shark science videos, books, and activities to share with your kids that will answer these questions and more.

(Just a reminder - I am never paid to mention any of these resources; there are no affiliate links.)


Shark Science Videos


Shark Dive  from Nat Geo Kids

Come along with Sam as she dives with sharks for the first time. You even get to see divers remove a fish hook from a shark’s mouth! This 8 minute video is great to pique a kid’s interest in shark science. 


If this 8 minutes wasn’t nearly enough, check out this episode of NatGeo Kid’s Weird but True!. So many shark facts are packed into 22 minutes of fun that’s perfectly aimed at elementary age students. 


How Sharks Find Food with Electricity  from SciShow kids We humans have our senses of seeing, hearing, smell, touch. But sharks have a sense we don't have - they can sense electricity! Learn how and why in this quick 4 minute video.

(Teachers, learning about how sharks sense electricity supports NGSS DCI LS1.A.)


Can a shark and a dolphin have a baby? from Mystery Science This off the wall question is a great springboard to learn about the animal traits that make dolphins and sharks different species. Then learn about the few rare examples where two different species have made a baby together - like the coywolf and pizzly bear! 

(Teachers, learning about how the coywolf and pizzly bear have inherited traits from both parents supports NGSS 1-LS3-1 and 3-LS3-1.)


Shark Science Books


Cover illustration of a great white shark smiling and pointing at himself, while other species of sharks frown at him from the corners of the book.

I am the Shark  by Joan Holub, illustrated by Laurie Keller

Poor Great White Shark wants to be great like his name, buuuut - He’s not the biggest shark. (That’s Whale Shark.) He’s not the sneakiest. (That’s Angel Shark.) He’s not even the best hunter! (Tiger Shark is!)


Elementary age kids and even young preschoolers will get a kick out seeing Great White Shark getting taken down a peg. But they’ll also learn about the wide variety of different shark species along the way! And don’t worry, Great White Shark will find a way to shine in the end.


(Teachers, learning about the many varieties of shark species supports NGSS 2-LS4-1.)



Cover illustration of a diver wearing a snorkel and a robot tracker both hovering above a large shark swimming over coral reefs.

How to Spy on a Shark  by Lori Haskins Houran, illustrated by Francisca Marquez

This book has sharks and shark-tracking robots! The short and simple story brings to life the fascinating work of marine biologists who study sharks. There’s something here for young preschoolers and elementary age kids alike.


Cover illustration of four different shark species coming at each other, mouths full of sharp teeth open wide.

Who Would Win? Ultimate Shark Rumble  by Jerry Pallotta, illustrated by Rob Bolster This book pits different shark species against each other, March madness style. So of course you have to read it in a sportscaster voice! In each matchup, you get to see the wide diversity of shark species. Some are big, but with tiny teeth made for filtering their food instead of biting it. Some are smaller, but faster or more agile. But in the end, only one shark species will win!


(Teachers, learning about the many varieties of shark species supports NGSS 2-LS4-1.)


Shark Science Activities


Plastic tub of water with a toy shark, and two small water bottles. Both water bottles have shark mouths drawn on them, and one is filled with a yellow liquid and floating, while the other is filled with water and is at the bottom of the tub. Title reads “Why Don’t Sharks Sink? Shark week science for kids” and the corner logo reads “Little Bins for Little Hands."

Shark Buoyancy Experiment from Little Bins for Little Hands

I have a whole separate post about the science of sinking and floating, but here’s a new science activity with a shark twist! All it takes is a couple empty plastic bottles, oil, and water. You can also try this same experiment with balloons, but small plastic bottles sounds a lot less messy to me. 


(Teachers, learning about how the shark’s oily liver helps it float supports NGSS DCI LS1.A.)



I hope you found some shark science fun to add to your summer!


And if you enjoyed this post, sign up here with your email so you never miss an update. 


Until next time, keep lighting sparks of curiosity,

Amy Wung Tsao


Comments

bottom of page