If you’re learning all about ocean animals, celebrating Shark Week or just looking for a fun craft for kids, making this paper roll shark craft is a great way to use up the empty toilet paper rolls you’ve got at home!
It’s an easy way to encourage kids to learn more about sea creatures and the finished craft doubles as a simple game. You can use this shark paper roll craft as a ‘cup and ball’ game. Just hold the shark in one hand, give it a fast scooping motion and see if you can catch the fish in its mouth.
- Table Of Contents:
Materials
- Toilet paper roll
- Gray paint
- Paintbrush
- Blue paper
- Googly eyes
- Yarn
- Scissors
- Glue
- Stapler
Instructions
Step 1)
Cut one end of the toilet paper roll to form the mouth of the shark. Staple or glue the opposite end shut. If you’re using larger cardboard tubes, cut them down to size.
Step 2)
Print and cut out the template pieces.
Step 3)
Except for the white teeth, paint the template pieces and the paper roll grey or silver then glue them together. Add googly eyes on top of the head.
Step 4)
Cut out a small fish shape from construction paper and glue or tape it to a small piece of yarn.
Step 5)
Attach the yarn to the inside of the shark’s mouth so it can chase the fish. You can also use this craft like a ‘ball and cup’ game to see how many tries it takes you to catch the fish inside the mouth of the shark.
Video Instructions
Prefer to watch video instructions for your crafts? Check out the YouTube channel for Crafty Kids Play and watch the full video of this paper roll shark craft here.
Shark Template Download
These PDF files are for your own personal use or your classroom use, not for commercial use or for resale. If you can print the template on cardstock it will be easier to glue to your paper roll. You can also print a copy onto regular printer paper and then trace it onto something thicker later if you’d like.
Tips & Troubleshooting
Prep Space
Use a drop cloth to protect your table from paint and prep your craft area ahead of time to make the process go more smoothly.
Template Pieces
For young children like preschool kids, you may want to cut the template pieces ahead of time or offer your help. Older kids should be able to cut them out with supervision.
Tail Attachment
If you’re struggling to attach the tail template to the closed part of the paper roll, try using a stapler instead of glue or an adult can use a hot glue gun. Make sure the template pieces are made of sturdy cardstock or construction paper.
Variation Ideas
Colorful Sharks:
Encourage the use of bright and vibrant colors to create a more stylized or fantasy-themed shark. This variation allows for personal expression and adds a playful twist to the traditional gray shark. You can use acrylic paint or tempera paint to cover the toilet paper tubes.
Benefits of This Shark Craft For Kids
Fine Motor Skills Development:
Assembling and painting the various parts of the shark, cutting out template pieces, and handling small details like googly eyes contribute to the development of fine motor skills in children while they have a lot of fun. These activities help enhance their hand-eye coordination and precision.
Creativity and Imagination:
Engaging in arts and crafts fosters creativity and imagination in children. Designing and personalizing their own shark allows them to express their unique ideas, choosing colors and patterns, as well as encouraging creative thinking.
Cognitive Skills Enhancement:
Following the step-by-step instructions and assembling the different components of this cute craft project promotes cognitive skill development. Children learn sequencing, problem-solving, and spatial awareness as they bring this great craft together.
Thematic Learning:
This shark craft provides an opportunity for thematic learning about marine life. Young kids can explore information about sharks, their habitats, and behaviors, integrating educational elements into a fun and hands-on activity.
Focus and Patience:
Completing each step of the craft requires attention to detail and patience. Kids of all ages learn to focus on the task at hand, fostering patience as they wait for paint to dry etc.
Final Thoughts
Dive into the sea of creativity with this fin-tastic paper roll shark craft! This cute shark toilet paper roll craft is the perfect way to combine creativity, learning, and play. It’s a great addition to any crafting session with kids.
Stick around Crafty Kids Play for more creative crafts, sensory play ideas and great ideas for kids!
