20 Ocean Crafts for Kids That Are So Much Fun
The ocean is a wild place, full of wonder. Despite all of humanity’s scientific knowledge, we know more about the surface of the moon and even Mars than we do about the ocean floor. Kids are full of wonder about all sorts of things, and the most mysterious thing on Earth is no exception.
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Help them discover more about what the ocean has to offer with these 20 ocean animal crafts for kids.
1. Shark Toilet Paper Roll Craft
Sharks are one of the most commonly misunderstood animals on earth. Help kids foster a love for sharks, instead of fear, with fun crafts like this toilet paper roll shark. Pair it with this book about sharks for a fun-filled shark afternoon.
Next, give this toilet paper bird feeder a go!
2. Quilled Seahorse Craft
This seahorse craft has a printable template to ensure the body isn’t much trouble. Once it’s ready, the brightly colored, rolled paper quills are the perfect accent to make this seahorse shine.
3. Foam Ocean Animal Pencil Toppers
These foam ocean animal pencil toppers are the perfect way to keep ocean life on the kids’ minds. All you need are the printable template in the link below and craft foam.
4. Chompin’ Foam Shark Puppet
This fun, articulated shark puppet can really chomp! Kids will love making him bite anything and everything around, which is okay since he’s made of craft foam. Also, check out these fun puppet crafts!
5. Starfish Craft
Starfish are unique animals, and kids are fascinated by them. The printable template makes this craft simple, and the special folding technique gives the starfish extra dimension.
6. Octopus Craft
Octopi are great sources of learning since they are such complex animals. This simple craft, with its printable template and paper chain tentacles, is the perfect launching point for some octopus education.
7. Handprint Octopus Craft
Since octopi have eight tentacles, it can be a lot to keep track of for crafting kids. But two handprints (without the thumbs) make the perfect amount of tentacles for this fun little octopus.
8. Handprint Crab Craft
While making handprint ocean life, why not make this cute little crab, too? There is a template to keep things manageable so they don’t get out of hand.
by Little Ladoo
9. Jellyfish Craft
This adorable little jellyfish will look perfect hanging from a child’s ceiling. It’s so simple to make: just a paper bowl and some crepe paper.
10. Egg Carton Whale
This is the cutest whale of all time. Kids will love turning an old egg carton into a little whale that actually floats.
11. Sea Turtle Craft
Here is the perfect marriage of creativity and simplicity. The sea turtle helps keep things manageable, while the wavy watercolor ocean backdrop lets kids be creative.
12. Paper Plate Fish Craft
Ever since the rise of a certain ocean dweller, clownfish have been a popular favorite among tropical fish. With this ocean animal craft, kids can make their own little Nemo from a paper plate.
by Honey & Lime
13. Paper Fan Puffer Fish Craft
It’s time for some puffer fish! This craft combines printable templates with paper folding for some fun little puffers. Plus, the options are limited only by the colors of paper on hand.
14. Printable Fish Craft
This is a nice, simple option that will still keep kids engaged. Print the printable, and let them color in the fish any way they like.
15. Jellyfish Paper Plate Craft
Turning a paper plate and some yarn into a fun jellyfish is so easy. Look up pictures of real jellyfish and challenge kids to copy the colors and patterns on their own jellyfish craft.
Related craft: 23 Paper Plate Animal Crafts for Kids
16. Hammerhead Shark Craft
The ocean is full of weird, wonderful creatures, and the hammerhead shark is no exception. Its strange head shape allows it a wide range of vision, so it’s an excellent hunter. Use the printable template to make a hammerhead that lives in your living room.
17. Seahorse Craft for Preschool
This fun little seahorse craft is the perfect way to celebrate these oddly cute fish. Use the printable template to prepare the seahorse, and have kids color a wild, wavy watercolor backdrop for him to live in.
18. Printable Ocean Animals Craft
Here, we have a whole plethora of printable ocean animals for kids. After cutting and coloring them, they can work on ocean animal anatomy by putting them together correctly.
by Little Bins for Little Hands
19. Rocking Paper Crab Craft
This fun little crab is almost as joyful as Sebastian from The Little Mermaid. Due to his unique paper plate construction, he rocks back and forth.
20. Shark Craft for Kids with Free Printable
This printable template is for a fantastic little shark craft that kids will love. Depending on the color choice, it may resemble another shark from a very popular kids’ song.
More Fun Kids Crafts:
- 20 Easy Beach Crafts for Kids
- 29 Cute Farm Animal Crafts
- 21 Popsicle Stick Animal Crafts
- 27 Best Butterfly Crafts for Kids
Read About The Ocean
If your little one loves learning about sea life, pair these fun crafts with a few favorite ocean books! Here are three great picks to dive into together:
- Over in the Ocean: In a Coral Reef by Marianne Berkes – A beautifully illustrated, rhyming story that introduces kids to different sea creatures while teaching counting and rhythm.
- The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen – Follow the adventures of a grumpy fish who learns the power of a smile in this fun, expressive picture book.
- Commotion in the Ocean by Giles Andreae – Packed with playful rhymes and colorful illustrations, this book is a wonderful way to explore ocean animals and their underwater world.
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