Are you in need of inspiration for summer crafts for kids to make? Look no further than these ocean animal paper plate crafts! They provide a fantastic way to keep children entertained while encouraging creativity.
This handpicked collection of projects, ranging from dolphins to sea turtles and sharks to rainbowfish, is perfect for kids of all ages to make at home or school. Prepare to make a splash with these creative ideas that bring marine life through art.
Dive into the world of ocean animals with these paper plate craft ideas. They make an excellent addition to ocean-themed unit studies and summer camp.
They are fun to make, teach important motor skills, and encourage imaginative play. Plus, they use common craft supplies and recycled materials, making them budget-friendly for parents and teachers alike.
Why Do Kids Love Ocean Animals?
Kids love ocean animals for their vibrant colors, fascinating shapes, and the sense of wonder they evoke about the underwater world.
Crafting these creatures allows children to explore their creativity and create something tangible that connects them to these extraordinary marine beings.
From the majestic shark to the playful dolphin, each project offers a unique adventure, making the crafting process as exciting as the animals themselves.
This hands-on activity entertains and educates, helping kids understand and appreciate the diverse and enchanting life beneath the sea.
Ocean Bump Dice Game
Ocean Count and Graph
Benefits of Making Paper Plate Crafts
Making paper plate crafts offers a multitude of benefits for children’s development, honing skills that are both practical and creative.
These crafts help enhance fine motor skills as kids practice cutting, gluing, and decorating, which requires precision and coordination.
Working with various materials, such as paints, colored paper, and recycled items, broadens their artistic expression and stimulates their imagination.
Additionally, using scissors to cut through the thicker material of paper plates provides a valuable exercise in hand strength and control, more challenging than cutting regular paper.
These activities also encourage creative problem-solving as children brainstorm and experiment with different ways to transform a simple plate into various sea animals.
This combination of artistic and cognitive skills makes paper plate crafts an enriching and enjoyable experience for young learners.
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Tru-Ray Construction Paper, 10 Vibrant ColorsDarice 1000 Pcs Popsicle StickMulti-Color Pom Poms, 1200pcs Assorted Size & ColorCrayola Mini Twistables Crayons (50ct), Crayons for Toddlers, 3+Elmer’s All Purpose Glue Sticks, WashableFiskars Training Scissors for Kids 3+ with Easy Grip (3-Pack) – Toddler Safety Scissors
Recommended Crafting Materials
All of these projects will require paper plates, so it’s helpful to have different sizes available for children to experiment with.
Opt for plain white plates that they can paint, color, or glue decorations onto. For some projects, it might be fun to start with a colored party plate to add an extra pop of color.
Be sure to have paints on hand, and we recommend Apple Barrel paint because of its wide selection of colors and quick-drying properties. Use palettes, smocks, and a craft mat to keep the workspace tidy.
Additionally, having a variety of other materials, such as crayons, markers, construction paper, and googly eyes, will come in handy for the majority of the projects.
Please always check each specific tutorial for the complete supply list and directions to make sure you have everything you need.
Kids’ Books About Ocean Animals
Combining crafts and books is a delightful way to double the fun while engaging children’s minds and hands.
Reading stories about ocean animals can spark their imagination, providing vivid imagery and fascinating details that inspire their creative projects.
As children craft their favorite marine creatures, they can recreate scenes from beloved books, weaving their own narratives and solidifying their understanding of the stories.
This pairing not only brings the magical underwater world to life but also reinforces the themes and lessons from the books.
The shared activity of reading and crafting enhances bonding and encourages a love for literature. It also boosts kids’ confidence and creativity as they see their story-inspired creations come to life.
Children’s Encyclopedia of Ocean Life: A Deep Dive into Our World’s Oceans
Inky the Octopus: The Official Story of One Brave Octopus’ Daring EscapeUltimate Oceanpedia: The Most Complete Ocean Reference Ever (National Geographic Kids)A Dive into the Deep: The Adventurous Readers SeriesShark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless ScientistCommotion in the Ocean
More Ocean Activities for Kids
To complement your arts and crafts, incorporate a variety of engaging ocean activities to enrich a themed lesson plan or unit study.
By combining crafts with these educational activities, you can create a comprehensive and immersive exploration of the ocean world. They will captivate kids’ interest and foster a deeper appreciation for marine life.
Here are some excellent activities to enhance your ocean-themed curriculum:
- Ocean Themed Writing Prompts
- Ocean Animals Color By Subtraction
- Ocean Charades
- Shark Research Worksheets
- Ocean DIY Pop Up Book for Kids
Paper Plate Ocean Animal Crafts
What ocean animal would you love to create and bring to life with a paper plate this summer? There are so many amazing and fascinating creatures that call the ocean their home.
From graceful dolphins to colorful tropical fish, each one has its own unique characteristics that make them perfect for paper plate crafts.
Jellyfish are known for their long tentacles and translucent bodies, making them a fun and easy craft to recreate with paper plates. This craft is perfect for younger children as it involves simple fine motor tasks.
One of the ocean's most feared creatures, the shark, can also be a fun craft. This paper plate activity lets you create a movable shark with simple materials, making it an enjoyable and educational project for your child.
Dolphins are known for their playful and intelligent nature, making them a popular choice for paper plate crafts. This craft fosters creativity, improves focus, reduces stress, and enhances fine motor skills.
Turtles are gentle creatures, distinguished by their unique shells and flippers. This craft is an excellent way to teach your child about the various parts of a turtle and its natural habitat.
Kids will love creating their own little underwater world with this fish bowl paper plate craft. This includes a goldfish puppet on a popsicle stick that you can pretend to swim.
Mermaids are a popular mythical creature that is associated with the ocean. This craft allows children to get creative and use their imagination, and it also provides an opportunity for pretend play.
Crabs are fascinating creatures, and this craft lets your child make a rocking crab using paper plates. This activity is also a great way to teach kids about the different parts of a crab and its movement.
This craft is perfect for older children who are ready to try their hand at basic sewing skills. The end result is a cute and cuddly shark softie that can be used as a toy or decoration.
Octopuses are intriguing creatures with their eight tentacles and unique ability to change color. This craft is a fun way for kids to learn about these amazing animals and create their own colorful octopus.
Seahorses are known for their unique appearance, and this craft lets kids get creative with colors while learning about them. It's also a great chance to discuss ocean conservation and how we can protect seahorses and other marine life.
Starfish are beautiful creatures that can be found in various colors and patterns. This craft involves cutting, making it a fun and creative activity for kids of all ages.
Fish are a staple in the ocean, and this craft allows kids to create their own colorful fish using paper plates. It's a great way to learn about different types of fish and how they survive in their underwater world.
Based on the popular children's book, "The Rainbow Fish," this craft allows kids to create their own sparkly and colorful fish using paper plates. It's a great activity for teaching sharing and kindness to others.
Whales are the largest animals in the ocean, and this craft lets kids create their own adorable whale using paper plates. It's also an excellent opportunity to discuss whale conservation and how we can help these magnificent creatures.
Narwhals are unique ocean creatures with their long, spiraling tusks, making them a popular choice for paper plate crafts. This craft is simple and fun, and it also provides an opportunity to teach kids about the Arctic region where narwhals can be found.
We hope these ocean animal paper plate crafts have inspired you and your kids. These creative projects are fun and educational, helping children develop valuable skills and a love for marine life.
Be sure to explore each project and let your imagination run free as you create a vibrant underwater world at home or in the classroom. Sign up for our newsletter to keep the creativity flowing and ensure you never run out of fun activities.
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Darcy is the founder of “Life With Darcy and Brian,” where she combines her love for education, board games, and crafting to create engaging learning experiences for kids. Her creative projects and writing have been featured in outlets like The Toy Insider, CafeMom, Mom.com, Parents.com, Country Living, and The Pioneer Woman.