Mermaids can be the focus of a fun storytime. You can make this a more elaborate program by adding a showing of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” or adding a variety of ocean or beach-themed activities. For a mermaid art project, try the ideas listed here, featuring the Disney heroine.
Or, for a more “generic” mermaid, make mermaid paperbag puppets. Have some metallic paper you can use for the mermaid’s tail, so it has shiny scales. You can also try this simple Mermaid constructed using a toilet paper roll.
You can also include the fun songs and fingerplays listed below!
BOOKS
Andersen, Hans Christian. THE LITTLE MERMAID. The original story that inspired the Disney movie – there are many versions of this available. You may wish to use an abridged/adapted version since this is too long for storytime.
Fraser, Mary Ann. MERMAID SISTER. Shelly meets Coral, a mermaid, and brings her home.
Hakala, Marjorie. MERMAID DANCE. Mermaids gather to celebrate the first night of summer.
Minarik, Else H. FATHER BEAR COMES HOME. Little Bear goes fishing and looks for a mermaid, in this classic easy reader.
O’Connor, Jane. FANCY NANCY AND THE MERMAID BALLET. Nancy is jealous when her friend gets a better role than she does at ballet school.
Tamar, Erika. DONNALALEE: A MERMAID ADVENTURE. Kate takes the subway to the beach where she imagines she is a mermaid.
Willis, Val. THE MYSTERY IN THE BOTTLE. Bobby finds a mermaid, and brings her to school to compete in the swim meet!
Mermaid Songs and Fingerplays
WAVES ON THE SEA (Sung to the melody of Wheels on the Bus.) The waves on the sea go up and down, up and down, up and down, the waves on the sea go up and down all day long. The shark in the sea goes snap snap snap.. The fish in the sea go swish swish swish.. The boats in the sea go toot toot toot… The gulls on the sea go swoop swoop swoop… The mermaids in the sea go splash splash splash.. The waves on the sea go up and down, up and down, up and down, the waves on the sea go up and down all day long.
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A MERMAID (tune: “Have You Ever Seen a Lassie”) Have you ever seen a mermaid / a mermaid, a mermaid Have you ever seen a mermaid / Swim this way and that? Swim this way and that way / Swim this way and that way, Have you ever seen a mermaid / Swim this way and that? Other verses: merman / flip tail this way and that
I’M A LITTLE MERMAID (tune: “I’m a Little Teapot”) I’m a little mermaid swimming free, (Hands together, move back & forth to swim) I have a friend ’cause you’re with me.(Thumbs to chest, pointers out, thumbs to chest) When I get too warm I flip my tail (Fan face, flip one hand behind back) And right into the water I sail. (Hands together, mime diving, then swimming)
I’M A LITTLE MERMAID #2 (tune: “I’m a Little Teapot”) I’m a little mermaid, see my tail, My friends are the dolphins, And also the whales. I live in the ocean so big & blue, I love to swim with the little fish, too. I’m a little merman, strong and brave, See my big ol’ tail, I can make it wave. I live in the ocean so big & blue. I love to play with the little fish, too.
COLOR MERMAIDS FIVE little mermaids swam near the shore The BLUE one swam away; then there were FOUR. FOUR little mermaids went into the big sea. The PINK one swam away; then there were THREE. THREE little mermaids wondering what to do. The GREEN one swam away; then there were TWO. TWO little mermaids were having so much fun, When the ORANGE one swam away; there was only ONE. ONE little mermaid just wanted to be a hero. The PURPLE one swam to save her friend; And then there were ZERO.
FIVE LITTLE MERMAIDS (version 1) [Hold up five fingers and count down as mermaid disappear] Five little mermaids swimming in a pool. [Hold up five fingers.] First one said, “This pool is cool.” [Hug self and shiver.] Second one said, “This pool is deep.” [Point downward.] Third one said, “I think I’ll sleep.” [Close eyes and rest head on hands.] Fourth one said, “Let’s swim and dip.” [Do swimming and dipping motions.] Fifth one said, “I see a ship.” [Look into distance with hand shading eyes.] The fisherman’s line went splish, splish, splash, [Make fishing pole motions.] And away the five little mermaids dashed. [Quickly put hands behind back.]
FIVE LITTLE MERMAIDS (version 2) Five little mermaids were swimming near the shore; One took a dive and then there were four. Four little mermaids were swimming out to sea; One went for food, and then there were three. Three little mermaids, “Now what shall we do?” One swam away, and then there were two. Two little mermaids were having great fun; But one took a plunge, then there was one. One little mermaid, “I like the warm sun.” Away she went and then there were none.