5 Family-Friendly Ocean Citizen Science Projects We Love
- Larissa Clark
- Aug 27
- 3 min read
As a family sailing around the world, we wanted the Free Range Ocean directory to spotlight projects kids can do alongside parents or in class.
Use the Family Friendly filter in our Ocean Citizen Science Project Directory to discover even more ideas that match your route, region, or school topic.
Sea Turtle Spotter (Upwell)
Turtle on the bow? Log it! Sea Turtle Spotter invites families to record sightings (usually via iNaturalist or a simple form) to help researchers map movements, foraging areas, and habitat conditions over time. It’s an easy “see it, snap it, submit it” activity that turns curious kids into ocean detectives.
Learn more in our directory: https://www.freerangeocean.org/projects/sea-turtle-spotter Free Range Ocean
“See a turtle, snap a photo, log the location — tiny moments add up to big insights.”
CoastSnap
Beach day with a mission. Pop your phone into a fixed photo-point cradle at a CoastSnap station, take a shoreline photo, and upload it. Thousands of repeat snapshots let scientists track beach change, erosion and storm impacts with surprising accuracy — a brilliant hands-on lesson in coastal science.
Learn more in our directory: https://www.freerangeocean.org/projects/coastsnap Free Range Ocean
“One quick photo, real coastal science — perfect for curious kids (and data-loving parents).”
Marine Debris Tracker
Turn a beach walk or dinghy ride into a clean-up + data mission. With the Debris Tracker app, families log each item they collect (caps, wrappers, fishing floats), feeding an open dataset used by educators and researchers. You’ll see your tally grow and spark great conversations about upstream solutions.
Learn more in our directory: https://www.freerangeocean.org/projects/marine-debris-tracker Free Range Ocean
The Big Seaweed Search
If you’re in the UK, this “shore safari” gets kids looking closely at life between the tides. Choose a short stretch of coast, photograph and record target seaweed species, then submit your finds. Data helps track climate-linked changes, invasive species and ocean-acidification impacts — with clear ID guides to keep it fun.
Learn more in our directory: https://www.freerangeocean.org/projects/the-big-seaweed-search Free Range Ocean
ORCA OceanWatcher
For cetacean-mad youngsters, ORCA pairs short online training with a simple app so you can log whale and dolphin sightings from shore, ferries or your own boat. Your observations help inform conservation work and protected-area planning across UK and European waters.
Learn more in our directory: https://www.freerangeocean.org/projects/orca-oceanwatcher Free Range Ocean
Project | Typical time | Where it works | What you need | Good to know |
Sea Turtle Spotter | 5–10 mins per sighting | Beaches, dinghy, at sea | Smartphone & camera | Check local wildlife-interaction rules; use zoom, no chasing. Free Range Ocean |
CoastSnap | 2–3 mins at a station | At CoastSnap photo points | Smartphone | Some beaches have multiple cradles — repeat over seasons. Free Range Ocean |
Marine Debris Tracker | 10–30 mins per clean-up | Shores, parks, marinas, decks | Smartphone; bag & gloves | Great for class challenges or marina clean-ups. Free Range Ocean |
The Big Seaweed Search | 30–60 mins | UK shoreline | Phone/camera; ID sheet | Choose a short transect; photograph target species. Free Range Ocean |
ORCA OceanWatcher | 5–20 mins per watch | Shoreline, ferries, private boats | Training + app | Short training recommended before first survey. Free Range Ocean |
Availability can change by season or location — check each directory page for current status and links to the organiser.
Ready to get involved?
Browse the full Ocean Citizen Science Project Directory, toggle Family Friendly, and pick a project that fits your next beach day, passage, or school activity. Free Range Ocean
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