The Best Ocean-themed Crafts for Kids

The ocean is full of wonder, from colorful fish and playful dolphins to mysterious deep-sea creatures. If your little ones love the sea, why not bring the magic of the ocean into your home with some fun and easy crafts? In this list of Ocean-Themed Crafts for Kids, you’ll find creative projects that inspire imagination and hands-on learning.

a collage of ocean-themed crafts for kids

Fish Crafts

Whenever I think of “ocean” I immediately think about fish. There are so many different varieties of fish in the ocean, so the craft possibilities are endless. Here are a few of my favorite fish crafts for kids.

a pool noodle decorated to look like a fish

Summer Fun: Pool Noodle Fish Craft for Creative Kids

Looking for an easy, affordable, and imaginative summer craft to keep your kids engaged? Whether you’re a homeschooling parent, a teacher planning summer activities, or a mom managing the long vacation days, this pool noodle fish craft is a perfect blend of creativity, fine motor skill development, and pure fun. Using simple materials and easy-to-follow steps, you can turn ordinary pool noodles into a vibrant school of underwater friends.

a paper plate painted to look like a fish

Paper Plate Fish Craft

a paper plate cut and painted to look like a puffer fish

Pufferfish Paper Plate Craft for Preschoolers

a paper plate painted to decorated to look like a fish

Paper Plate Fish Craft for Kids

cupcake liners attached to a popsicle stick to look like a puffer fish

Cute Cupcake Liner Puffer Fish Craft For Kids

a paper plate cut and decorated with cupcake liners to look like a fish

Paper Plate Fish Craft

Bring a splash of creativity with this colorful Paper Plate Fish craft that turns simple supplies into bright, playful ocean art.

Jellyfish Crafts

Jellyfish crafts are always so fun because there are so many ways to represent the tentacles! You can use yarn, pipe cleaners, paper chains, and more! I’m impartial to jellyfish crafts because they always turn out so cute.

a paper plate cut in half and colored blue with pipe cleaners attached to the botton to create a jellyfish

Paper Plate Jellyfish: How To Make With Pipe Cleaners- Rock Your Homeschool

construction paper with eyes and yarn glued on the bottom to look like a jellyfish

Easy Yarn Jellyfish Craft

Starfish Crafts

I feel like starfish are an after though when thinking of ocean animals and it’s sad because there are so mnay things you can do with starfish crafts! Here are a few of my favorites.

a starfish sun catcher that is marbled

Coffee Filter Starfish Suncatcher Craft for Kids [Printable Template]

starfish cut out of construction paper and decorated with buttons

Starfish Ocean Craft for Kids that’s Cute as a Button – A Little Pinch of Perfect

Octopus Crafts

First of all, did you know the proper plural form of octopus is octopuses, not octopi. I’ve always said octopi and I’ve been wrong my entire life. Now that we got that out of the way, let’s dive into some amazing ocean crafts featuring octopuses.

an octopus cut out of paper and colored with paper chains for the tentacles

Fun Octopus Craft For Kids With Free Template

This free printable octopus craft is such a fun, easy activity to do with kids of all ages. It uses simple materials and is so fun to make!

a paper plate painted purple with eyes with paper chains for the tentacles

Paper Chain Octopus Craft

Make a Splash with this adorable Paper Plate Octopus, a fun and easy kids craft where colorful paper chains become wiggly tentacles! 

Whale Crafts

Whales are absolutely adorable and no one will ever change my mind. These whale crafts are too cute and very budget friendly, making them accessible to all!

an egg carton piece painted to look like a whale

Make An Egg Carton Whale (That Floats!) and Easy Ocean Sensory Bin

Dive into the deep blue sea of egg carton crafting and create a splash with our recycled floating egg carton whales. Not only will your kids have a whale of a time making these adorable

Miscellaneous Ocean Animal Crafts

Here are a few more ocean-themed crafts that don’t fit into the above categories.

drawings of different ocean animals with bubble art

Under the Sea Bubble Art for Kids –

Capture the beauty of swimming under water with this under the sea bubble art for kids. Use bubbles to create amazing background for your sea animals.

a paper spinner that has different ocean animals

Sea Life Spinner:A Fun & Interactive Ocean Craft for Kids

paper plates with yarn strung across them and ocean animals tucked inside

Paper Plate Ocean Craft For Kids – Template Available

a paper plate cut and decorated to look like a dolphin

Easy Paper Plate Dolphin Craft for Kids

foam cut out into shapes of ocean animals and attached to the tops of pencils

Foam Ocean Animal Pencil Toppers | Homan at Home

a paper plate cut in half and painted red  red red construction paper for arms, legs, and feet to look like a crab

Crab Paper Plate Craft for Preschoolers

Are you on the hunt for a creative and educational project to keep your little ones engaged? Look no further because we’ve got the perfect craft for you: making a paper plate crab! 🦀 This

Featured by Twinkl in World Oceans Day Activities for Kids.

More Summer Fun!

If you’re looking for more summer fun, check out these kid-friendly crafts and activities!

Low Mess Summer Crafts: Summer crafting doesn’t have to be messy! Try some of these fun crafts that don’t require cleaning paint off your kitchen table or sweep up glitter for weeks.

Pretend Play Ice Cream Shop: This playdough ice cream shop is not jist any activity that kids get bored with in 5 minutes. They will play forever, making different flavor combinations and serving up some of the best (non-edible) ice cream around.

Summer Art Projects: Want a more summer-y project? These art projects are perfect for summer! They are full of bright, sunny colors, and a whole lot of fun!

Flamingo Handprint Craft: This easy handprint craft makes a beautiful keepsake for parents. Kids will love creating a unique flamingo with only paint and markers.

Summer Treats for Kids: These treats are so yummy and will keep kids cool in the summer heat.

Budget-Friendly Summer Crafts: Looking for fun crafts that won’t break the bank? Try these budget-friendly summer crafts that use supplies you already own.

Ocean-Themed Art Projects: Let’s get creative with these adorable ocean-themed art projects. Kids will love creating unique ocean animals!

Ocean-Themed Books To Read

One of my favorite ocean-themed books is Inky the Octopus. It’s a story about a brave octopus who makes a daring escape! I also love that it includes marine biology facts so kids can learn more about it. Check out some of my other favorites below.

Summer Learning Resources

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stacie
Stacie is a former first grade teacher who loves to share educational activities to help kids learn, grow, and develop! She has a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and a Master's Degree in Child Development with a focus on Mental Health.

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