Learning about the Shore Crab

Children explore marine life by learning about shore crabs through videos, images, and creative activities, developing an understanding of coastal habitats and animal adaptations.
Recommended Period for this Activity: All year round

1. Introduction 

Show pictures, videos, or models of shore crabs, like "Il-Granc tax-Xatt/The Shore Crab" (Downloadable Materials), and ask questions to engage children: 

“Where do you think shore crabs live?”, “What do you notice about their claws and shell?” 

Explain that shore crabs live in rocky coastlines and rockpools: they adapted to survive in changing tides. 

  

2. Virtual / Indirect Observation  

Watch short videos or observe photos of shore crabs in rockpools and encourage children to observe: 

  • Body parts (claws, legs, eyes); 
  • Movement and hiding behaviour; 
  • Interaction with the environment (rocks, seaweed, water). 

  

3. Observation & Recording 

Children can sketch a shore crab in its habitat or note behaviours seen in videos. Engage the children with a discussion about the crab’s adaptations: 

How does the crab hide from predators? How does he move on slippery surfaces? 

  

4. Creative Follow-Up  

Children can colour the "Shore Crab Postcard" in the Downloadable Materials using paint, crayons, or natural materials. 


Resources & Equipment Needed

Art and craft supplies of your choice.

You can download these instructions in PDF by clicking here: Generate PDF

Downloadable Material

Il-Granc tax-Xatt

YouTube Video

Shore Crab Postcard

PDF Document


Make sure to take photos of:
1. Children observing videos in the classroom
2. Finished Crabs artworks

Learning Outcomes & Curriculum Integration

Sorry but this is currently not available - will be added soon!