Ready to dive in and make a splash with this fin-tastic craft?
If you’re preparing for Shark Week, learning about ocean animals or just searching for a fun way to spend time with your kids, you’ll love this awesome shark paper plate craft with a movable puppet.
- Table Of Contents:
Materials
- Paper plate
- Blue and yellow paint
- Paintbrush
- Construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue or Double-sided tape
- Markers
Instructions
Step 1)
Print out the free template in this article and cut out the pieces. Collect your other craft materials.
Step 2)
Paint the top half of the paper plate blue and the bottom half yellow. Alternatively, if you’re using thick enough yellow and blue acrylic paint, you can paint the whole plate blue, let it dry then paint the bottom yellow over top.
Step 3)
Paint the bottom half of the paper plate yellow and once it’s fully dry, cut a slit in the paper plate where the colors meet. (This is where the popsicle stick for the puppet will go)
Step 4)
Trace the template pieces onto colored construction paper and cut them out. Add details like the shark eye with a black marker. If you don’t have grey construction paper, you can use white construction paper and grey paint to make your shark.
Step 5)
Use glue or double sided tape to attach all the template pieces except for the shark, to your paper plate. The rock and starfish can go on the ocean floor and the small fish can go in the blue space.
Step 6)
Attach your shark to a popsicle stick or large craft stick with glue or tape. Insert the popsicle stick into the slit of your plate and make your shark move around!
Video Instructions
Prefer to watch video instructions for this craft? Check out the YouTube channel for Crafty Kids Play and watch the full video tutorial for this shark craft here.
Shark Craft Template Download
This free printable template is for your own personal use only, not for commercial use or for resale purposes. You can download then print the shark template at home on regular printer paper or on light cardstock to reuse it multiple times.
Use the download button after this next image to get your free copy.
Tips & Troubleshooting
Prepare Ahead:
Lay out all materials and tools before starting. This helps in avoiding interruptions during the crafting process and keeps kids engaged. Older kids can manage this fun craft on their own but for younger kids you may want to prep the template pieces ahead of time.
Use Kid-Friendly Materials:
Opt for non-toxic, washable paints and child-safe scissors. Ensure that all materials are age-appropriate to guarantee a safe and enjoyable crafting experience.
Demonstrate Steps:
Before letting kids dive in, demonstrate each step of the craft. This visual aid helps them understand the process and reduces confusion. You can watch a full tutorial on YouTube for another great option if you’d like to show a demonstration.
Customize the Shark:
Getting creative with your shark is so much fun! Add details like scales, teeth, or fins using markers. Consider giving your cute shark a name and personality. Is it a friendly shark or a mischievous one? Adding googly eyes is a great way to make your shark look silly.
Variation Ideas
Multiple Sharks
You can add more than one popsicle stick shark puppet to this craft if you’d like to play with multiple sharks.
Glittering Sea
Add some glitter to your blue paint before it dries to make your ocean shine. You could use glitter glue for less mess.
Stickers and Foam Pieces
If you’re making this craft with really young children and cutting out multiple template pieces is too tricky for them, try using ocean stickers to help set the scene. You can often find cute fish stickers or ocean themed foam pieces at your local craft store or dollar store.
Benefits of This Shark Craft For Kids
Fine Motor Skills Development:
As children cut out the template pieces, paint the paper plate, and carefully trace and cut the construction paper, they are honing their fine motor skills with this fun shark craft. These activities require precision and control, contributing to the development of hand-eye coordination.
Cognitive Skills:
Tracing, cutting, and assembling the template pieces for this craft project involve cognitive processes such as spatial awareness and problem-solving. Children must follow the step-by-step instructions, promoting sequential thinking and attention to detail.
Puppet Play and Storytelling:
The final step, turning the crafted shark into a puppet, opens the door to endless storytelling possibilities. Puppet play not only enhances language skills but also encourages narrative development and the exploration of different scenarios, providing a platform for self-expression and imaginative play. Put on the Baby Shark song and make your puppets swim and play!
Final Thoughts
This shark craft is lots of fun! It’s a great idea for summer camp or learning about underwater creatures. You can turn all these simple supplies into this great activity and play with your own paper sharks at home or in school.
Stick around Crafty Kids Play for more indoor activities, simple crafts and free printables for kids of all ages! Happy crafting!
