The average octopus weighs 33 pounds, almost as much as an average 3 or 4-year-old child. The eight arms of an octopus are typically 14 feet in length -- a distance that would extend all the way from the floor to the ceiling. The North Pacific Giant Octopus is most commonly referenced as the world's largest octopus, although there are others who are similar, and possibly larger, in size. One of the largest octopuses ever found weighed more than 600 pounds. Preschool children can visualize how heavy this is by telling them it is about as heavy as three men.
Octopuses swim and crawl along the ocean floor. Usually, the octopus uses all of its legs to maneuver along the ground. However, the fastest way for an octopus to get around is by shooting water out behind itself through jet propulsion. Some reports indicate that octopus can travel 25 miles per hour. To put this in perspective for the preschoolers, tell them that is just a little bit faster than people can run.
Octopuses are very cunning creatures. Since they don't have any bones, they can squeeze their flexible gelatinous bodies through small spaces. Many aquarium octopuses have been known to attempt to escape their tanks. They hide from predators and most are able to squirt a cloud of black ink when trying to escape an enemy. The octopus has suction cups along its arms to taste and explore everything it touches. Preschoolers can get an idea of how an octopus can squeeze through a smaller space by pushing a foam ball through or into something smaller than itself.
Octopuses come in all kinds of different colors. They camouflage themselves and can change colors to help them blend into their surroundings. An octopus might also change their color so that they look like a different type of fish to confuse their predators. Preschoolers can learn about camouflage by holding up a red object and another color in front of someone's red shirt, and then asking them which object is harder to see.
The octopus has two eyes and a hard beak. The mouth is centered on the base below the head of the octopus, between all of its arms. The octopus can use its long arms and suction cups to hold objects and manipulate its environment. Provide the children with a good picture of the octopus that clearly shows these parts. You also could provide the children with plastic suction cups so they can see how the octopus can hold itself in place.