Whether you’re learning about the ocean or have just finished reading Rainbow Fish, this paper plate fish craft is a fun and easy activity for kids! It’s not just for preschool, though. You can make this really with any child by adjusting the steps and helping as needed.
I love how versatile paper plate crafts for kids can be. This project only needs a paper plate, paint or markers, tissue paper or cardstock and a glue stick! You can use paint or markers, lately my kiddo has been super into these paint stix! (Metallic set here!)
Why kids love paper plate crafts
I love projects with classic, easy-to-find supplies like popsicle sticks, toilet paper rolls, and paper plates. There is something nostalgic and timeless about them. Kids can get creative and love seeing what they can turn into too!
- Easy to find supplies are everything! Easy to find, easy to make, easy on parents and easy for kids.
- The best kind of kids projects are things you already have in your home, or can easily grab on your next grocery store trip.
- If you mess up it’s very easy and possible to start over.
- A lot of times you can pair them with books and snacks, which makes for a fun theme of the day.
Supplies for your Paper Plate ish
- Paper plates
- Scissors (remember to do the cutting if your child isn’t ready to yet.)
- Construction paper scraps or cardstock in green, red and black
- Tissue paper (I love these pre-cut squares)
- Markers, crayons or paint, lately my kiddo has been super into these paint stix! (Metallic set here!)
- googley eyes, or you can draw them on.
- School glue or glue stick
Steps for Your Paper Plate Fish
Begin by painting or coloring your plate blue or color of choice. If you’re wanting this to be a faster craft you can use markers, crayons or colored pencils or paint stix. You could also pre-paint plates too and have them ready for the kid to pick from.
After your paint has dried, cut out a section to represent the fish mouth.
Turn the plate around, and glue on cut out fins and a tail fin. You can use construction paper or cardstock, or just the extra piece from cutting out the mouth. Use a glue stick or even tape to secure.
Glue on the googley eyes. For the scales, I cut a half circle shape off of cardstock and tissue paper in shades of blue. It made for fun scales!
Allow the paper plate time to dry, then the fish is ready to join it’s school on a swim!
Tips for Making a Paper Plate Fish:
- Use leftover scraps of paper from other projects.
- If you’re making this with a younger child who can’t cut with scissors yet, it may be helpful to prep the paper pieces and pieces you’ll be using for scales.
- If you have a kiddo who will want to craft right away, you can even pre-paint the plate so that they can start assembling without having to wait for the paint to dry.
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Get the How-To
Supplies
- 1 paper plate
- 1 paint, markers, crayons or paint stick
- 3 pieces paper (in various shades of blue)
- tissue paper squares (in shades of blue or color of choice)
- 1 glue stick
- 1 googley eye
Instructions
- Begin by painting or coloring your plate blue or color of choice. If you're wanting this to be a faster craft you can use markers, crayons or colored pencils or paint stix. You could also pre-paint plates too and have them ready for the kid to pick from.
- After your paint has dried, cut out a section to represent the fish mouth.
- Turn the plate around, and glue on cut out fins and a tail fin. You can use construction paper or cardstock, or just the extra piece from cutting out the mouth. Use a glue stick or even tape to secure.
- Glue on the googley eyes. For the scales, I cut a half circle shape off of cardstock and tissue paper in shades of blue. It made for fun scales!
- Allow the paper plate time to dry, then the fish is ready to join it's school on a swim!
Equipment
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This is so fun!! I have to try it with my nephew who loves sharks.