6 Sea Animal Crafts (with Free Templates) • In the Bag Kids' Crafts

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Summer crafts are some of my favorite (a close second to my favorite season…fall), and what could be better than these sea animal crafts? They are so cute and simple to make, and each comes with a printable template to make crafting even easier. The really unique thing about these ocean animal crafts (and you might have already noticed) is that each starts with the simple shape of a triangle. This is one of favorite things to do around here…start with something basic and see where it can take us. Try it some time, and let us know what you make 🙂

Each of these Sea Animal Crafts are part of a book of 45 Triangle crafts that I know you are going to love! Each one comes with a printable template and easy step-by-step instructions.

Save these Sea Animal arts and crafts for later. Pin them to your favorite Pinterest board…

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Craft 1: Crab Craft

SUPPLIES FROM THE BAG

These supplies are already in your bag for all of these sea animal crafts if you have used our MASTER LIST to stock up. Once you fill up your bag (and believe me, it won’t take much to do that) you will have what you need to make EVERY…SINGLE…CRAFT on this site. Being ready to create with your family at a moment’s notice when you finally find a few free moments is absolutely priceless.

Step 1: Make the Triangle for Your Crab Art and Craft

Glue together 3 large popsicle sticks to form a triangle
Allow the glue plenty of time to dry

*Tip: You may want to make up the triangle frame the night before to give the glue time to set up. As a matter of fact, make several of the triangle frames while you are at it because, around here, we use them a lot. Check out these other crafts that also start with a triangle frame: SUMMER FRUIT, FARM ANIMALS, DINOSAURS, PLAY FOOD

Step 2: Paint Your Crab Ocean Animal Craft

Place the triangle frame on the newspaper to minimize the mess
Squeeze out a bit of red paint
Pinch the pompom with the clothespin to form a “paint brush”
Now, paint your frame red. *This may take a couple of coats for good coverage.
Set it aside and give the paint some time to dry while you move on to step 3

*Tip: After you paint the frame, immediately move it a little bit on the newspaper so that it does not stick. Move it a couple more times during the drying process.

Step 3: Use the Crab Craft Template

Print the crab craft template to make your sea animal crafts.
Use it to cut out all of the pieces for your crab craft from the red construction paper.

*If you do not have access to a printer, draw the parts as pictured and cut the pieces out. This should include a triangle that will go in the center of the popsicle stick triangle frame.

Step 4: Put the Crab Craft Together

Use your glue stick to add the red paper triangle to the center of the painted popsicle stick frame.
Then glue on all of the crab parts that you cut out in step 3. You can use the featured image as a reference for how to put the crab together.

Step 5: Finish Off Your Sea Animal Crafts

Glue the googly eyes in place
Add details using your markers as desired. I added a little bit of outlining.

Save these Ocean Crafts for Kids for later. Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board…

Craft 2: Dolphin Craft

SUPPLIES FROM THE BAG

It is our mission here to make creating with your family more accessible. To do this, we take a unique approach…each craft on this site is made using the same master list of supplies that fit into one bag. I promise that half of the items (if not more) you already have on hand, and the rest are very basic and inexpensive. Once your bag is filled, you are ready to go! Now crafting with your family can happen anytime, anywhere with limited prep and less mess. Amen!!! Hallelujah!!! Let’s make something!

Step 1: Make the Triangle for Your Dolphin Craft

Glue the 3 large large popsicle sticks into a triangle shape
Allow the glue time to dry
*You may want to make the triangles the day before and let them dry over night so that you are ready to go. As a matter of fact, make several so that you can craft away.

Step 2: Paint Your Dolphin Sea Animal Craft

Place the triangle frame on the newspaper to minimize the mess
Squeeze out a bit of light blue paint
Pinch the pompom with the clothespin to form a “paint brush”
Now, paint your frame light blue. *This may take a couple of coats for good coverage.
Set it aside and give the paint some time to dry while you move on to step 3

*Tip: After you paint the frame, immediately move it a little bit on the newspaper so that it does not stick. Move it a couple more times during the drying process.

Step 3: Use the Dolphin Craft Printable

Print the dolphin craft template to make your sea animal crafts.
Use it to cut out all of the pieces for your dolphin craft from the light blue construction paper.

*If you do not have access to a printer, draw the parts as pictured and cut the pieces out. This should include a triangle that will go in the center of the popsicle stick triangle frame.

Step 4: Put the Dolphin Craft Together

Now that the paint has dried, use your glue stick to attach the paper triangle onto the popsicle stick frame.
Then glue the other parts of your dolphin in place. Use the featured image as a reference for how the dolphin goes together.

*For little ones, precut the pieces. They will have fun gluing the parts of the dolphin in place.

Step 5: Finish Off Your Jumping Dolphin Craft

Glue the small googly eye in place.
Add details to your dolphin craft for kids as desired using your markers

Craft 3: Easy Fish Craft Sea Animal Crafts

SUPPLIES FROM THE BAG

3 Large popsicle sticks
Elmer’s glue
Light green and dark green construction paper
Glue stick
Newspaper
Clothespin
Medium pompom
Light green paint
Small googly eye
Markers
Scissors
Light green tissue paper squares
Fish craft template

I have some good news for you very busy parents out there…I have found a way to remove many of the obstacles to spending time crafting with your kids. Because I know that you are here because you know how fun (and important) it is to create together as a family, but it can be a challenge!

To make it easier, we are doing a couple of things differently. First of all, every craft that you see will actually be possible for children to make (not just for grown ups to make for kids).

Second, we use the same MASTER LIST of supplies for every project on this site (including all of these sea animal crafts). That may seem like a little thing, but once you fill up your bag and realize that you are now ready to make anything your kids choose at a moment’s notice, you will realize the genius of this approach (that’s right, I am patting myself on the back…OK, maybe genius is going a little far, but it is pretty awesome!)

Step 1: Make the Triangle for Your Easy Fish Craft

Glue the 3 large large popsicle sticks into a triangle shape
Allow the glue time to dry
*You may want to make the triangles the day before and let them dry over night so that you are ready to go. As a matter of fact, make several so that you can craft away.

Step 2: Paint Your Fish Craft

Place your popsicle stick triangle frame on the newspaper and squeeze out a bit of light green paint
Pinch the pompom with the clothespin to form a “paint brush”
Paint the frame and allow it to dry while you work on step 3.

*Tip: After you paint the frame, move it right away and again a couple of times while it is drying to keep it from sticking to the newspaper

Step 3: Use the Fish Craft Template

Print the fish craft template
Use it to cut out all of the pieces for your fish art and craft from the shades of green construction paper.

*If you do not have access to a printer, draw the parts as pictured and cut the pieces out. This should include a triangle that will go in the center of the popsicle stick triangle frame.

Step 4: Put Together Your Simple Fish Craft

Now that the frame is dry and all of your pieces are cut out, it’s time to start putting it together.
First use the glue stick to attach the paper triangle to the back of the painted popsicle stick frame.
Then glue on layers of the tissue paper squares to the bottom of the triangle, which will be the fish’s “scales”. Only put glue on the top half of each tissue paper square. Then overlap the lines of tissue paper as you put it in place. Go about half way up the triangle with fish scales.

Again use the glue stick to attach the fish lips, fin and tail.

Step 5: Finish Off Your Fish Art and Craft

Now that you have your easy fish craft all glued together, put the googly eye in place.
And finally, add some details as you like using your markers to finish it off.

Save this Easy Fish Craft for later. Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board…

Craft 4: Oyster Craft (with a Pearl)

SUPPLIES FROM THE BAG

Small to medium white pompom
Elmer’s glue
6 Large popsicle sticks
Pink construction paper
Gray construction paper (if you do not have this, just color or paint some paper)
Glue stick
Scissors
Markers
Newspaper
Clothespin
Medium pompom (any color)
Gray paint
Pencil
Oyster Craft Template

This project uses supplies taken directly from the same master list that we use for every…single…craft here at “In the Bag Kids’ Crafts”. And we do this to make your life easier! Seriously! If you use this list to fill your bag, you will be ready to craft at a moment’s notice, with hundreds of ideas at your fingertips! That next rainy day when the kids are complaining that they are bored (again!)…here comes super mom! And you will never regret taking the time to create something with your kids…I promise you! Learn more and find out what to put in your bag HERE.

Get the template for this beach craft (and access to the secret resource library!)…

Step 1: Make Triangles for Your Oyster Craft

Glue together 3 large popsicle sticks to form a triangle
Repeat this to make a second triangle frame
Allow the glue plenty of time to dry

Step 2: Paint Your Ocean Craft

Place your triangle frames on the newspaper and squeeze out a little gray paint.
*Remember, if you do not have gray paint you can mix up a little black and white. This is a great time to talk with your little ones about what happens when you mix certain colors together. Always looking for that teaching moment 🙂
Pinch your medium pompom (not the white) with the clothespin to form a “paint brush”
Paint one side of each frame and give it time to dry

*Tip: Immediately after painting the frames, move them a little. Repeat this several times throughout the drying process so that the triangle does not stick to the newspaper.

Step 3: Create a Hinge on Your Shell Craft

Print the free template which includes the triangle form for you to use.
Make a second pink triangle in the same fashion.
Glue each pink triangle onto the back of a gray painted triangle frame.
Cut a rectangle shape from the gray paper. It should be approximately 1″ x 2″ or a little bigger. This is going to be your hinge.
Now sandwich the triangles together with the pink paper on the outside and glue the gray paper rectangle hinge into place.

OYSTER STEP 3 — Oyster with a Pearl Step 3

Step 4: Add the Shells of Your Oyster Craft

Again, use the free template for making your shell. Trace and cut out 2 gray shells.
With the triangles sandwiched together, glue the shells in place on the outside. Line them up so that they match exactly.

OYSTER WITH A PEARL CRAFT FOR KIDS STEP 4 — Oyster with a Pearl Craft for Kids Step 4

*For very little ones, precut the pieces and help them to glue and paint to their heart’s desire.

Step 5: Now for the Pearl

Add some details using your markers as desired. This is your oyster, so make it your own! It can even have a happy face on it or hearts, stars, polka dots…whatever makes you happy! This one is kept very simple and basic, but go crazy if you want…really! Show us your personality on these shells.
Now for the final touch…glue the white pompom inside your oyster. Let the glue dry thoroughly.

Craft 5: Sea Turtle Craft

SUPPLIES FROM THE BAG

3 Large popsicle sticks
Elmer’s glue
Dark green paint
Newspaper
Glue stick
Scissors
Clothespin
Medium pompom
Dark green, light green and yellow construction paper
2 Small googly eyes
Markers
Pencil
Sea Turtle craft template

This list of supplies is a subset from the MASTER LIST used for every single project here at “In the Bag Kids’ Crafts”. And we use that list to remove many of the barriers that are often keeping us from creating with our kids. When you fill up your bag, you are done with the prep and ready to make any of hundreds of crafts. (And if you don’t see what you’re looking for, just let us know. We will make it happen.) Just think of how much preparation, time and mess we have eliminated for you. Yay!!! Find out what to put in your bag.

Step 1: Make the Triangle

Glue together 3 large popsicle sticks to form a triangle
Allow the glue plenty of time to dry

Step 2: Paint the Turtle Craft

Place the triangle frame on the newspaper to minimize the mess
Squeeze out a bit of dark green paint
Pinch the pompom with the clothespin to form a “paint brush”
Now, paint your frame green. *This may take a couple of coats for good coverage.
Give the paint time to dry (it shouldn’t take long). Maybe you could have a snack together or go outside and play in the yard while you wait. Or just move on to the next step. It may be dry by the time you are done cutting out the parts of your sea animal craft.

*Tip: After you paint the frame, immediately move it a little bit on the newspaper so that it does not stick. Move it a couple more times during the drying process.

Step 3: Use the Sea Turtle Craft Template

Print the free template which includes the triangle form.
Now cut out the paper triangle and use the glue stick to adhere it to the back of the frame.

Step 4: Put Together Your Sea Turtle Craft

Again, use the free template to cut out the rest of the pieces for your sea turtle. Use the picture as a reference for what colors of construction paper to use.
Once all of the pieces are cut out, glue them onto the triangle base. The octagons are the details for the back of his shell.

These shapes will be difficult for little ones to cut out. So, precut the pieces and let them handle the rest. For children learning to cut, have them at least cut the large triangle. To make it easier, use a bold marker around the border. Placing the octagons is a great fine motor activity. Encourage your kiddo to “pinch pinch pinch” which picking each piece up, one at a time.

Step 5: Finish Off Your Paper Turtle Craft

Glue on the 2 small googly
Last, use the markers to add details as you desire. I traced around the edges and gave him some eyebrows. But you should make it your own and add what you like!

SEA TURTLE CRAFT FOR KIDS SEA ANIMAL CRAFT — SEA TURTLE CRAFT FOR KIDS

Craft 6: Octopus Craft

SUPPLIES FROM THE BAG

If you are a hard working parent who would love to find time to create with your kids but just can’t seem to find the time, you have definitely come to the right place. I know how challenging it can be to find time for the things that we love and know are important. So, to make it actually do-able, every single craft you will find here on this site is kept simple and uses the same master list of basic craft supplies that fit into one bag. Once you fill your bag, you will be all set to go! Less prep, less time, less mess!

Step 1: Make the Triangle for Your Octopus Craft

Glue the 3 large large popsicle sticks into a triangle shape
Allow the glue time to dry
*You may want to make the triangles the day before and let them dry over night so that you are ready to go. As a matter of fact, make several so that you can craft away.

Make a Popsicle Stick Triangle Frame — Make a triangle frame

Step 2: Paint the Octopus Art and Craft

Place the completed triangle popsicle stick frame on the newspaper and squeeze out a little purple paint.
Pinch your pompom with the clothespin to form a “paint brush”
Paint your triangle. This may require a couple of coats.
Allow the paint to dry while you are cutting out the parts of your octopus.
*Tip: Be sure to pick the triangle frame up off the of the newspaper after you paint it so that it doesn’t stick to the paper. You may have to go back and move it a couple of times while it is drying.

Step 3: Use the Printable Octopus Craft Template

Print the octopus craft template
Then use it to cut the triangle out of purple paper.
Glue the triangle to the back of the painted popsicle stick triangle frame.

Step 4: Put Your Easy Octopus Craft Together

Again use the template to cut out the rest of the octopus parts.
You will notice that there are not 8 tentacles on the template, but you will need 8 all together.
Choose what designs you would like…mix and match…until you have 8 total tentacles.
Once all of the parts are cut out, glue them in place.

Step 5: Finish Off Your Octopus Sea Animal Crafts

Add the googly eyes. I chose to use different sizes to give him a little bit of character, but you should use whatever size you think is best.
To finish off your octopus art and craft, draw on details using your markers.

Cutting out the tentacles for this sea animal crafts project is a more advanced scissor skill. You can make this craft with toddlers if you cut out all of the parts first. Just have them do the painting and gluing of all the parts. For preschoolers learning to cut, have them try to cut out the triangle shape. Make sure that you draw the border using a bold marker to make it easier. As always, only give as much help as is absolutely necessary. It is okay if it is not perfect…really! By doing it for your child, you are only teaching them that you can do it better. So, let them try!

I know that you are not going to stop at one. Go ahead and make all of these sea animal crafts. And really make them your own. Yours do not need to look like the pictures. The only limit is your imagination.

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