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Watch the video below to see how to make this cute Paper Fish Craft. Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more fun videos!
This Paper Fish Craft is a fun summer activity for kids and a great way to recycle straws into a cute ocean art project.
It’s officially summer so we thought we’d kick off the warm season with this adorable Paper Fish Craft. This is a super easy summer paper craft kids can make and a great way to recycle straws. We have a whole pack of them leftover from a party and instead of tossing them after one use, we can recycle them into this cute fish craft.
With summer months here, it’s time to start thinking about ways to be creative with the crafty fish in the ocean. Since we love to see the fish but haven’t been able to as much as we’d like, we decided that it was time to make our own fish at home instead.
The outcome? Quite possibly the cutest little fish craft, ever. If you have about five minutes of time, you have what it takes to create this fun fish craft. Just have the kids be there to help guide you along the way and you’ll have a blast creating your very own school of fish.
You can change up the looks and coloring by choosing different papers so have fun with the overall looks.
What kind of paper do I need to make this colorful paper fish craft?
You don’t need a lot of supplies for this craft and that is what makes it so much fun. With minimal prep, you can easily have this craft ready in no time at all!
You can use any colorful scrapbook paper you have, colored or patterned. Just make sure it’s 12″ x 12″ paper and thin scrapbook style paper.
We don’t recommend thick cardstock as that will be harder to roll. Although you could use thicker cardstock if you wish but note it will be harder to bend and glue into circles.
The final touch to making these adorable paper fish is to hot glue the pieces together and on to the straw! We use hot glue because it adheres so quickly but you can use craft or paper glue to to cement the strips together. We do recommend hot glue for gluing the paper circles to the straw as they will hold much stronger.
Is this fish craft for younger kids?
It is, to an extent. They can help to cut out the strips and practice fine motor skills, although you may have to take over the glue gun depending on the age.
You can easily set up a routine for this craft as well where they cut out the strips of paper and have them ready to be glued.
How should I play with my paper fish?
You can hang them up with washi tape or you can even thread a string through the straw and hang them up that way OR create a fun fishing game!
Paper Fish Craft – Materials:
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Patterned or color scrapbook paper 12″ x 12″
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Hot glue gun
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Straws, you want to make sure they are extra long like 17″ straws or you will need to make your fish smaller
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Dimensions of the paper strips we cut from tail to head in inches. Width of paper strip is 1/2 inch.
5
5.5
8
9
10
11.5
10.5
7
6
INSTRUCTIONS:
(Watch the video in the post)
Step 1. Cut strips in the dimensions listed above. One 12″ x 12″ piece of paper is all you need per fish.
Step 2. Cut two fins and tail from same piece of paper.
Step 3. Glue your strips into circles. You want to make sure they go from small (tail) to large (middle) and then taper off again near head. If you make the strips in the dimensions listed above that should be the case.
Step 4. slide your straw inside the strips and hot glue one end to straw.
Step 5. Hot glue your fins and tail. You’re done!
Wasn’t that easy? The fun part is making lots of colorful fish!
You can hang them up with washi tape or you can even thread a string through the straw and hang them up that way OR create a fun fishing game!
More summer crafts for kids:
Potato Stamp Fish
Rock Fish Craft
Summer Doodle Books
Agnes Hsu is a mom of three and has been inspiring parents and kids to get creative with easy activities and family friendly recipes for over 10 years. She shares her love for creative play and kids food to her 2MM+ followers online. Agnes' commitment to playful learning and kindness has not only raised funds for charity but also earned features in prestigious nationwide publications.