Lately we’ve been doing tons of fun ocean and summer themed crafts for kids.

When it’s summertime and you’re land locked, it’s the perfect way to get a bit of the ocean in your summer activities. If your children love the ocean and learning about the animals that live there, they’re going to love this easy art project.

This week we’re sharing this fun easy fish painting for kids.

It’s simple enough for young children to paint on their own and it’s great for fostering your child’s creativity!

Read on below to see how to make this goldfish art with your children or students. Also, be sure to check out all of our ocean crafts for kids.

Fish Art For Kids

Supplies

• White art paper or watercolor paper 
• Liquid watercolors (or regular watercolor paint)
• Googly eyes (we used .5″ eyes)
• Circle punches (we used .5″, 1″ & 1.5″ punches)
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Black marker
• Paintbrush
• Beta fish art template (download form at the end of the post)

Directions

Print out the beta fish art template on the white art paper.

Paint the beta fish in any shade of liquid watercolors that you want. Let dry then cut out and set aside.

Paint the seagrass in varying shades of green. Let dry then cut out and set aside. Paint the seashells in your choice of colors then let dry. Cut out and set aside.

To make the ocean watercolor backdrop, paint your art paper with the liquid watercolor in shades of blue, green and hints of yellow. Let dry completely. 

Create your ocean scene by gluing all the pieces onto the blue watercolor background. To give it a little more depth, glue some of the seagrass pieces behind the fish and some in front of the fish.

After you’ve glued everything to the blue background, glue the googly eye onto the fish.

Use the circle punches to cut out a few circles of varying sizes. These will be the bubbles. Use the black marker to draw on the reflective lighting on each bubble (see pictures for example).

That’s all there is to it!

Adapting This Fish Painting For Younger Kids

If you want to use this art project with children who are in kindergarten, preschool or are toddlers there are a few things to consider.

First, you’ll need to determine if they’re able to cut out the pieces. If they’re beginning with scissors, they may be able to cut out the seagrass and shells, but the beta fish is more complex and will need them to be more skilled.

If you’re doing this art project with a class, you’ll need to cut out the fish ahead of time or have some adult helpers available to cut each of the individual goldfish out.

We find it easier to paint the white art paper and then cut out the pieces so if you can do it in the order, it’ll help with less mess.

Another thing to consider is the setup for your watercolor background. You’ll need to have a hard surface that kids can get messy from the painting. The younger the children, the more likely they’ll make a mess with the watercolors.

The liquid watercolors that we used are awesome because they wipe up from tile and hard surfaces instantly with a little water or cleaner.

Benefit Of Painting For Kids

Kids love arts and crafts, but did you know there are actually tons of benefits kids get from doing these types of projects?

Through art, kids can gain a variety of skills and learn about concepts like:

• fine motor skills
• hand-eye coordination
• color theory
• self-expression
• increased self-confidence

and so much more!

There really is much more to arts and crafts than just fun (although they are a blast to do)! The next time your children are bored and you don’t know what to do, have them make this simple fish art project!

Ocean Unit For Kids

With an ocean unit study, you can make learning interesting and engaging. Pick your favorite ideas from the list below and get started right now!

One of the most effective strategies to help your children develop and grow is to read aloud to them. Reading gives many benefits, including enhanced vocabulary, focus, and imagination! Add in some of these highly-rated ocean books for kids:

The Snail and the Whale– Julia Donaldson, author of the famous book The Gruffalo, brings kids another fun book about an unlikely set of friends. Snail and Whale have lots of fun together in this colorful book!

Shark Lady– This children’s book is based upon the true story of Eugenie Clark, aka, The Shark Lady. Learn about her love of sharks, her discoveries, and the inspiring message of going after what you want in life.

The Rainbow Fish -This is a classic children’s book with a wonderful message for children. In it, a fish learns to share his favorite possession, his glittery scales, with his friends!

Ocean Kids’ Crafts

We all know that one of the best ways to keep kids occupied and happy is to craft with them, so why not add in some more new crafts? Check out our favorite ocean crafts below.

Handprint Jellyfish Craft – Looking for a fun and ocean-themed activity to keep the kids entertained? Look no further than this adorable handprint jellyfish craft! Not only is it easy to make, but it’s also perfect for teaching little ones about these fascinating creatures. So get your crafting supplies ready and get started!

Shark Headband Craft – This shark craft is perfect for turning any little one into a fearsome predator of the sea. It’s also a great way to get them excited about learning more about ocean life.

Paper Plate Octopus Craft – This octopus craft is perfect for kids who love the ocean. It’s a fun way to practice fine motor skills, and it’s a great way to learn more about sea creatures. Plus, it’s just plain adorable!

Ocean Activities For Kids

These fun ocean themed board games will keep your kids entertained for hours on end. From cooperative games to math games, there’s something here for everyone. Plus, they’re all educational, so you can feel good about letting your kids play them.

Want to make learning fun? Try out these ocean pattern block mats! They’re a great introductory STEM activity and will help kids practice fine motor skills.

These ocean animal printable preschool worksheets are perfect for kids who love ocean animals. With a variety of activities to choose from, your little one will be entertained and educated at the same time!

Fun Ocean Ideas

Love all things ocean? Then you’ll love these ideas!

• If your kids love slime, they’ll flip over this fluffy dolphin icee slime!!
• Welcome everyone to your home with this “Whalecome” whale doormat.
• This goldfish koi in a bag keychain is so fun for kids to put on their backpack or for adults.

Share With Us

Did you make this activity with your kids or students? We’d love to feature them on our social media!

For a chance to have your child’s project featured, simply snap a picture of the completed project and post it to our Facebook page, email it to us directly by clicking here, or use #simpleeverydaymom on your social media!

Free Goldfish Template