10 Amazing Under The Sea Crafts For Kids

Exploring the wonders of the ocean is an exciting and educational adventure for children. From colorful fish to magnificent seashells, the underwater world is teeming with fascinating creatures and treasures waiting to be discovered.

Engaging kids in under the sea crafts not only stimulates their imagination but also provides an opportunity to learn about marine life and develop their artistic skills.

Whether it’s creating paper plate fish or crafting jellyfish paper lanterns, these 10 under the sea crafts for kids offer a variety of hands-on activities that will inspire young minds and ignite their love for the ocean. So, gather your art supplies and dive into a world of creativity and exploration with these delightful under the sea crafts. Let the fun and learning begin!

Printable Ocean Animal Crafts

While crafting is always a fun time, it does have the unfortunate side effect of showing that not everyone is an artist. This is why printables are a real lifesaver when making ocean themed crafts for preschoolers. Anyone with a printer can still make high quality sea animal crafts that kids will love, so nobody has to miss out on the fun. And once the printed projects are mastered, the techniques used to make them can always be applied to other pictures as well, whether template, or freehand.

Sea Turtle Craft by Mama Likes This

Sea turtles are perhaps one of the most-loved creatures in the entire ocean. Unfortunately, this results in many people inadvertently hurting them while trying to get a closer look. Crafts like this printable sea turtle are a great chance to learn how people can help these beautiful creatures, and get closer without hurting them. Plus the ocean animal craft template included makes it a cinch, even for the youngest crafters.

Jellyfish Salt Painting by Taming Little Monsters

This is a really fun idea. Salt is painted on directly to create a really unique looking piece of art. The process has multiple steps. This means parents can scale their involvement up or down, so that kids of all ages and experience levels can contribute. And as a bonus, there is a printable template included to help guide the painting.

Paper Plate Ocean Crafts

Paper plates make a great, if non-traditional craft supply. And they are cheap, so it’s easy for everyone to get in on the fun. Keeping a pack of paper plates on hand is always a great idea, especially for ocean animal  craft ideas. Please note that paper will work better than styrofoam, and it’s better for the environment, as well, which makes them the ideal choice for paper plate animals.

Paper Plate Fish Craft by Honey + Lime 

Ever since a certain animated movie, clownfish have skyrocketed in popularity. With a few paper plates and some paint, kids can make their own adorable clownfish buddy to play with or use as a decoration. Clownfish are a shoo-in for paper plate ocean crafts.

Paper Plate Whale by In the Playroom

Maybe one of the best things about paper plates is that they come with so many in a pack. This means loads of supplies for lots of fun crafts, such as this paper plate whale. A few plates, paint, construction paper, and googly eyes are all that is needed to make another fun sea creature.

Craft Foam Projects

Craft foam is not a supply everyone has just laying around, true. But that doesn’t mean it’s hard to obtain, as any craft store will have plenty. And it’s so much fun to use. It’s sure to become something you always keep on hand once the kids have made a few projects. Craft foam is soft and colorful, which makes it ideal for ocean animal craft activities.

Chompin’ Foam Shark Puppet by The Soccer Mom Blog

While sharks are often feared, kids usually haven’t learned to be afraid of them yet. Help foster kids’ natural love of sharks with these chomping foam shark puppets. These preschool ocean crafts are perfect for Shark Week, if it’s nearing that time of year.

Foam Ocean Animal Pencil Toppers by Homan at Home

Another great foam project, these foam pencil toppers are easy to make. Kids will love the variety of sea creatures, and can pick their favorite to take to school. Plus, the printable templates make designing the shapes a cinch.

Advanced Projects

While most of these ocean animal crafts are meant for all ages, some of them do offer a bit more challenge. From accordion-folding to sewing, each of these ideas offers a little bit more. But the results are worth it, every time. Plus, advanced projects can be great for kids who need a little more challenge, to keep them from getting bored. Parents can help as much or as little as necessary to finish the fun ocean creatures.

Paper Fan Puffer Fish Craft by Kids Craft Room

Anyone who has ever made a paper fan as a child remembers how easy and fun they are. But turning one into a puffer fish adds a neat twist to the classic paper fan by turning it into a sea creatures craft. Plus all the amazing colors look so great when combined.

How to Make a Paper Moving Fish by Crafts and Printables

This craft is such an amazing idea. It is a bit more intricate, so little ones will need more help, but it is totally worth it. Watching the paper fish “swim” around in the air will keep kids busy for hours.

DIY Crab Plush by Barley & Birch

This is another craft that requires a bit more work, and does involve some sewing. But it’s totally worth it, overall. And if kids are too little to help out, they will still enjoy playing with the cute little crab once it’s finished.

Fish Craft by Craftsy Hacks

These adorable little fish crafts are perfect challenging ocean animal crafts for preschool, so even the youngest of children can be engaged by a project. Also, they are so colorful and fun. Kids will love seeing the bright colors of the felt, and they make perfect wall decorations. And older kids can make them with ease, so they can design a whole school of colorful fish decorations.

Under The Sea Crafts For Kids

So there we have it, a whole list of ocean animal painting ideas and other under the sea crafts for kids to make. Whether gearing up for a trip to the beach, or just redecorating their room with an ocean theme, kids will love this aquatic friends when they are done. Combine these projects with marine life facts to make it a learning experience, as well. And make sure to have fun!

”Featured by Twinkl in Sea Week Crafts to Do With Kids 2025”.