Searching for a delightful summer crafting project? Consider our coffee filter mermaid tail craft as your go-to choice. Just like the wide array of coffee filter crafts for kids we offer, this craft is not only simple and cost-effective but also heaps of fun to create either at home or within a school environment.

Children will be thoroughly entertained as they use washable markers to add a burst of color to coffee filters and colored paper, turning them into dazzling mermaid tail suncatchers. These suncatchers can then be beautifully hung in the window, catching the light and bringing a piece of the magical underwater world into your home.

This craft not only allows kids to explore their artistic side but also provides a fantastic opportunity for them to engage in hands-on learning about colors, textures, and light.

White text on purple to green gradient background says Coffee Filter Mermaid Tail Craft. Below text is a completed mermaid tail made with a purple cardstock outline and a multi colored coffee filter filling in the tail.

This delightful mermaid tail craft is perfectly suited for children in preschool, kindergarten, and the early grades to make at home or school. While younger kids might require a bit of help, completing this project is a fun and engaging activity for all.

Once finished, these mermaid tails are vibrant and colorful, serving as the ideal DIY decoration or activity for any mermaid-themed birthday celebration. It is perfect for a summer-themed art center or for summer camp at home.

Enhance the theme by pairing this craft with our equally enchanting coffee filter seashell suncatcher and coffee filter starfish suncatcher, creating a beautiful set of sea-themed art.

Table of Contents

Mermaid Tail Coffee Filter Craft Learning Benefits

Engaging kids in the mermaid tail coffee filter craft offers more than just an enjoyable pastime; it is a valuable learning tool that promotes several developmental advantages.

This craft is designed to enhance fine motor skills as children manipulate small materials and use precise movements during the creation process.

It also taps into their creativity, allowing them to experiment with colors and design, fostering an early appreciation and understanding of color theory.

Additionally, this activity provides an opportunity to incorporate subtle science lesson comparing mermaids with fish, making it a comprehensive educational experience wrapped in fun.

Fine Motor Skills

Making these coffee filter mermaid tail suncatchers is a fun fine motor activity for all ages that provides coloring, tracing, cutting, and gluing practice. These are important skills that will strengthen little hands for writing work later on, as well as creating more crafts!

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Creativity and Color Theory

For an additional learning opportunity, you can discuss color theory. Introducing a color wheel is a great way to enforce the concept of a rainbow, as well as primary and secondary colors.

You can ask kids why they think certain colors look better together than others. Can they give examples? Why do they think that is or isn’t true?

As there’s no shortage of mermaid tail color combos, kiddos can use their imaginations to come up with any variety of them.

Left side is a picture of a white mermaid tail outlined template laying on purple cardstock for tracing. The right side shows a finished coffee filter mermaid tail suncatcher.

Compare and Contrast Science Lesson

Also, this is a great opportunity to incorporate science into this craft. No, really!

Mermaids and fish have a lot in common – scales, the ability to swim, and live underwater in the ocean. The science of fish is fascinating to kids, and they’re often familiar with them which is a great jumping-off point.

What do scales do? How do they help fish and mermaids? Why don’t we need them? How are fish and mermaids alike when they swim? How are they different than how we swim? Ask kids to see how long they can hold their breath for. Not very long! How do mermaids and fish do it?! Why is it important for them?

You can also discuss camouflage. What is it? Why do sea animals (and mermaids!) need it? What color is the ocean and what color is your mermaid tail? Does that help them stick out or blend in? How? Why?

Then, use these topics and concepts to start a discussion about similarities and differences. Older kids may use a Venn Diagram to help organize their thoughts, while younger ones can contribute to an adult-created chart.

Fun Mermaid Crafts for Kids

As we continue to celebrate the spirit of summer and the magic of the ocean, our collection of summer crafts for kids shines a spotlight on the enchanting world of mermaids.

Crafting mermaids not only taps into the creative imaginations of children but is also a perfect thematic fit for summer crafting activities. From the sparkle of their tails to the mystery of their underwater realms, mermaids inspire a host of artistic projects that kids will love.

Here, we explore various mermaid crafts that promise to keep little hands busy and minds engaged throughout the sunny season, making every day an adventure into the fantastical world beneath the waves.

Materials for making a coffee filter mermaid tail laying out. Includes coffee filters, small spray bottle, cardstock paper in blue, green, and purple, assorted washable markers, and adhesive.

Coffee Filter Mermaid Tail Craft Supplies:

This coffee filter mermaid tail craft uses craft supplies you probably already have and only takes about 30 minutes to complete (plus additional drying time).

Coffee filters bleed color because they are so thin. So, it’s important to protect your work surface by placing the coffee filters on top of a craft mat or parchment paper.

Mermaid Tail Suncatcher Template (available by filling out the form at the bottom of this post)
Round white coffee filters
Washable markers in pink, purple, green, blue or their favorite colors
2 sheets of colored paper in blue, green, or purple
Glue sticks
Water spray bottle (for color blending)
Scissors

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More Coffee Filter Crafts for Kids

If your little artists enjoyed transforming coffee filters into dazzling mermaid tails, they’ll be thrilled with even more creative opportunities to explore. Our range of coffee filter crafts extends beyond the sea, inviting children to create a variety of whimsical and colorful projects.

Cute Coffee Filter Crafts eBook

How to Make a Coffee Filter Mermaid Tail Suncatcher

Start by flattening out round coffee filters. This too works on fine motor skills as young hands try to smooth out the wrinkles. Draw on the filters with washable markers in a variety of patterns or simply lightly color the entire area.

White coffee filter colored in with blue, purple, and pink washable markers.

Let kids use whatever colors they want, but we particularly like pink, purple, blue, and green for the mermaid tail.

Place the colored coffee filter on a paper plate, sheet of parchment paper, craft mat or large zipper baggie and mist with a water spray bottle.

Spraying colored coffee filter with water making colors blend.

Have fun watching the magic of the colors move and blend! Then set the wet coffee filters aside to dry. How long this will take varies depending on how much water is sprayed on them during the blending stage.

Print out the mermaid tail suncatcher template and cut out the mermaid tail frame.

Mermaid tail template cut out of white paper laying on top of purple cardstock to be traced. Tie dyed coffee filter lays next to it.

Pinch the template in half, cut a slit in the center, and then cut out the inside of the shape. Younger kiddos will need help with this step, or prepare the template for them ahead of time.

Next, trace the mermaid tail frame pattern on both sides on colored paper, then cut it out.

Once your coffee filter is dry, place the suncatcher frame over it until you are happy with how it shows through the frame. You may need to layer two coffee filters to completely cover the mermaid tail.

Mermaid tail suncatcher frame cut out of purple cardstock laying next to glue stick and colorful coffee filter.

Attach the colored coffee filter to the first suncatcher frame with a glue stick. Then flip it over, line up the second frame and glue them together so the coffee filter is in between the two paper frames.

Carefully cut away the excess tie-dyed coffee filter with scissors. The colored paper should make a nice outline around the brightly colored coffee filter. When you are done, hang the suncatcher in a sunny window or door using a loop of string or double-sided tape.

Completed coffee filter mermaid tail suncatcher made with a bright and colorful coffee filter inside a purple cardstock outline.

Tips for Making This Craft

Younger children might need help with cutting the center of the tail, while older children will appreciate the craft’s challenge, which they can mostly undertake on their own.

Children of all ages will be fascinated by spraying water on the coffee filters and observing the colors blend. It’s a captivating process, and the outcome is always a surprise!

Depending on the amount of water used during the blending process, some additional drying time may be necessary. To prevent excessive water spray, consider using a fingertip sprayer or apply water with pipettes, which also enhances fine motor skills.

Remember to use only washable markers, as other types won’t allow the colors to spread and blend when sprayed with water. Experimenting with various colors and marker brands can yield exciting results.

Books About Mermaids and Oceans for Kids

Engage young minds by illustrating the educational concepts above with books! Not only will kids enjoy fantastical tales of mermaids (and their tails!), but real fish facts and camouflage are fun too. Here are some of our favorite fantasy and non-fiction books to go along with this coffee filter mermaid tail craft.

How to Catch a Mermaid Lola: The Bracelet Of Courage (Ocean Tales Children’s Books)Mermaid Stories: Cute Fairy Tales of Adventure & Imagination for Girls Ages 3-5 (Mermaid Stories Collection)The Fascinating Ocean Book for Kids: 500 Incredible Facts! (Fascinating Facts)Freaky, Funky Fish: Odd Facts about Fascinating Fish Look Again: Secrets of Animal Camouflage

More Ocean Activities for Kids

Exploring the vast and mysterious world of our oceans can be an awe-inspiring adventure for children.

Offering more than just a glimpse into the aquatic, participating in ocean-themed activities opens a gateway for kids to learn about marine life, understand the importance of ocean conservation, and cultivate a deep-seated respect for the natural world.

Whether it’s through interactive games such as ocean charades, creative arts and crafts, or educational experiments, the opportunities to engage with the wonders of the ocean are boundless.

These activities are designed not only to educate but to spark curiosity and imagination, laying the foundation for a lifelong fascination with the marine environment.

In wrapping up, crafting a coffee filter mermaid tail suncatcher is a delightful way to merge the wonders of art and science, encouraging kids to explore their creativity while learning fascinating ocean facts.

Whether it’s understanding the nuances of color theory through creating vibrant mermaid tails or diving into the science behind fish scales and camouflage, this activity offers a rich, engaging experience for children of all ages.

To continue the excitement and discovery, we encourage you to complete the form below. You’ll receive the mermaid tail craft template straight to your inbox, allowing you to capture a slice of the enchanting underwater realm right in your own home.

Coffee Filter Mermaid Tail Craft

Yield: 1

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Active Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Estimated Cost: $5 or less

Make a bright and colorful coffee filter mermaid tail suncatcher for a fun summer craft for kids.

Materials

Mermaid Tail Suncatcher Template
Round White Coffee Filters
Washable Markers in Pink, Purple, Green, Blue
2 sheets of Colored Paper in Blue, Green, or Purple
Glue Sticks

Tools

Water Spray Bottle (for color blending)
Scissors
Pencil
Paper Plate, parchment paper, ziploc bag or craft mat (to protect work space)

Instructions

Flattening out round coffee filters. Draw on them with washable markers in a variety of patterns.
Use whatever colors they want, but we suggest pink, purple, blue, and green for the mermaid tail.
Lightly mist with a water spray bottle.
Then set the wet coffee filters aside to dry.
Print out the mermaid tail suncatcher template (download using form at bottom of post) and cut out the mermaid tail frame.
Carefully fold the template in half, cut a slit in the center, and then cut out the inside of the shape.
Trace the mermaid tail frame pattern two times on colored paper. Cut it out.
Place the suncatcher frame over it until you are happy with how it shows through the frame. You may need to layer two coffee filters to completely cover the mermaid tail.
Glue colored coffee filter to the first suncatcher frame with a glue stick. Then flip it over, line up the second frame and glue them together so the coffee filter is in between the two paper frames.
Cut away the excess tie-dyed coffee filter.

Darcy Zalewski

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.