20+ Mermaid Crafts for Kids That Make a Splash

Got little ones who dream of underwater worlds and sparkling tails? These mermaid crafts for kids are just the thing to keep their imaginations swimming. Whether you’re planning a quiet afternoon or a themed summer party, each idea turns everyday supplies into something magical.

From puppets to paper tails, every age has a sea-inspired option. Need more sunny ideas? Check out our summer crafts for simple ways to make the season memorable.

Assortment of mermaid-themed crafts for kids, including paper mermaid figures, a sequined star wand, and painted paper plate mermaids. Large text says "20+ Best Mermaid Crafts for Kids to Make" in bold, colorful fonts.

Mermaid Handprint Art

Traced handprints become a key part of a cute mermaid in this colorful DIY, and everything comes together easily with a handy printable template. Kids love seeing their hand shapes transformed into a magical undersea friend, making the craft feel personal and imaginative.

This simple project is perfect for summertime and brings mermaid fun to life with just construction paper and a bit of creativity.

www.redtedart.com

Rocking Paper Plate Mermaid

Turn a simple paper plate into a rocking mermaid scene that gently sways like a boat on ocean waves. Children can color and attach a smiling mermaid (with the help of a free printable) onto the curved plate, creating a mini toy that wobbles back and forth as if she's swimming.

The finished piece is as adorable as it is easy, making it a perfect summer craft for imaginative play and ocean-themed storytelling.

Related: Popsicle Stick Mermaid Craft

iheartcraftythings.com

Paper Bag Mermaid Puppet

This lovely craft transforms a plain paper lunch bag into a beautiful mermaid puppet. Kids decorate their mermaid with a sparkly tail, yarn hair, and seashell accents, then use the finished puppet for hours of imaginative undersea play.

It's an inexpensive, simple project that will bring big smiles and lots of giggles as children bring their mermaid to life in pretend play.

Mermaid Toilet Paper Roll

An empty toilet paper tube becomes a vibrant mermaid friend in this upcycled art project. With some colored paper and a printable template, kids can transform a cardboard roll into a mythical undersea character with a tail and flowing hair.

This summer-friendly activity sparks creativity and pretend play, giving kids a personal mermaid figurine made from simple, recycled materials.

www.hellowonderful.co

Swimming Mermaid Paper

Kids create paper mermaid figures with movable tails using a printable template, making it look like the mermaids are swimming. The craft includes pre-colored designs and a blank version to decorate so that each child can customize their mermaid's look (rainbow hair, anyone?).

The result is an adorable paper toy that encourages pretend play—children can set up an ocean scene and have their mermaids flap their fins and “swim” through an imaginary sea.

Also try: Coloring Page Mermaid Bookmarks

kidsactivitiesblog.com

Mermaid Paper Bag Puppet

Children can use a plain brown paper bag and some leftover craft materials to create an entertaining mermaid puppet ready for undersea adventures. They can customize their mermaid with colored paper scraps for a tail and yarn for hair, then put on a fun puppet show under the sea.

This ocean-themed craft is easy to make and irresistibly cute, allowing kids to engage in creative play long after they finish crafting.

Mermaid Tail

Kids can craft a sparkly mermaid tail out of paper using a simple printable pattern, then have fun decorating it with their creative flair. From adding colorful scales to sprinkling glitter “sand,” this easy project lets little artists design a mermaid tail that's uniquely theirs.

The finished tail makes a cute decoration or imaginative pretend-play prop, perfect for ocean-themed parties or a summer afternoon craft session.

artsymomma.com

DIY Seashell Mermaid Purse

Fashion meets craft with this adorable DIY mermaid purse shaped like a seashell. Kids create a little shell-shaped bag using a free template to carry “treasures” during dress-up play.

It adds a splash of under-the-sea style to any pretend mermaid outfit, making children feel extra magical and summer-chic as they tote around their handmade purse.

Related: Boy Mermaid Coloring Pages

artsycraftsymom.com

Peg Doll Mermaid

Transform a simple wooden peg into a beautiful mini mermaid doll with just a few craft supplies. This clever DIY uses everyday items like a balloon piece for the tail and rainbow yarn for hair, so kids can dress their mermaid in any colors they like.

Once finished, the sparkly peg mermaid is ready for lots of pretend play under the sea, and kids will love that they created a toy themselves with minimal materials.

Mermaid Headband

Little Mermaid fans can make their wearable headband that transforms them into undersea royalty. Using a simple printable template, kids color and cut out fun ocean shapes (like tails, starfish, and shells) to decorate the band, then tape it into a custom-fit crown.

This craft doubles as a dress-up prop, sparking imaginative play as children proudly wear their mermaid creation for make-believe adventures.

conservamome.com

Mermaid Toilet Paper Roll

Recycling a cardboard tube into a cute mermaid is a snap with this easy-peasy project. Just print out the mermaid template, then kids can color the pieces, cut them out, and glue them around the toilet paper roll to bring their mermaid to life.

It's a simple, engaging craft that's virtually mess-free and perfect for any little mermaid lover eager to make their own toy.

Also try: Mermaid Coloring Pages

www.theinspirationedit.com

Cute Mermaid Wand

Kids can craft their mermaid wand by decorating a wooden star wand with seashells, glittery sequins, and ribbons in ocean colors. This simple DIY lets them channel their inner mermaid princess, adding a touch of magic to pretend play and dress-up games.

It's excellent for mermaid-themed parties or a sparkly afternoon activity, and children of all ages will enjoy waving their handmade wands in imaginative play.

Mermaid Paper

Little crafters can make a magical mermaid friend with simple paper cutouts in just a few easy steps. Using a printable template, they'll cut and glue together a colorful mermaid with flowing paper hair and a shimmery tail, perfect for summertime ocean vibes.

This craft is quick to create but fun, inspiring kids' imaginations with their paper mermaid to play with or display.

www.pinkstripeysocks.com

Mermaid Paper Chains

This creative twist on classic paper doll chains lets kids make a crew of mermaids holding hands. By folding paper and cutting out a mermaid silhouette, you get a string of mermaids that can be colored and decorated individually. Each one can have a unique tail and outfit.

Kids will love how a straightforward cut creates multiple mermaids simultaneously, resulting in a fun banner or garland perfect as a summer decoration or just a cute craft to display.

artsycraftsymom.com

Disney Ariel Papercraft

For any Little Mermaid fan, this papercraft lets kids create their own Princess Ariel using colorful cardstock. They cut out Ariel's iconic red hair, green tail, and purple seashell top (using provided templates or simple shapes) and assemble them into a standing paper character or poster.

It's a super-easy Disney-themed craft that delights kids by bringing their favorite mermaid to life, all while only needing basic art supplies.

Photo Mermaid

Kids can turn themselves into mermaids – at least on paper – with this adorable photo craft. Using a free template, they attach a cut-out photo of their face onto a mermaid body that they decorate, creating a personalized art piece where they star as the mermaid.

It's an easy summer project that feels magical and memorable, and it makes a cute keepsake (or gift for family) featuring each child's smiling face on a mermaid's body.

emmaowl.com

Popsicle Stick Mermaid

This fun weekend craft turns an ordinary popsicle stick into a mini mermaid. Using the free printable tail template, kids can easily add a bright paper fin to their popsicle stick, then decorate the mermaid with a drawn smiling face and some yarn or ribbon hair.

The result is an adorable little mermaid figure they can play with or even use as a bookmark, all made in an afternoon using simple materials.

barleyandbirch.com

Mermaid Charm Necklaces

Kids can create mermaid-themed jewelry by making these easy charm necklaces out of paper. They simply cut out cute mini mermaid shapes (like tails, seashells, or starfish) from the provided printables, then laminate or glue them for sturdiness and string them onto a piece of ribbon or yarn.

This summer craft is simple yet makes a big splash—little mermaid lovers will proudly wear their handmade necklace and show off their undersea style.

Mermaid Paper Bag

This paper bag mermaid puppet craft is a perfect summer activity for boys and girls. Girls. Children glue printable mermaid pieces onto a lunch bag — adding colorful tails and fins, and even choosing a hairstyle — to make their mermaid (or merman) puppet.

Once assembled, the puppets are ready to “swim” into imaginative play, letting kids of all kinds put on undersea puppet shows with characters they created.

viewsfromastepstool.com

Clothespin Mermaid

This simple craft turns a wooden clothespin into a mini mermaid doll. Kids can mostly make this craft all by themselves. Just add a decorated paper or felt tail to the clothespin and some yarn for flowing hair, and you've got a mermaid with a clip body that kids can pinch and move as if she's swimming.

It's an easy project that doubles as a toy, giving children lots of fun, imaginative play once their mermaid is complete.

www.thecrafttrain.com

Cardboard Tube Mermaids

With a splash of paint and imagination, you can transform empty cardboard tubes (like paper towels or toilet rolls) into a family of mermaids. Kids design each mermaid by adding yarn hair and a flowing tissue-paper tail to the painted tube, creating adorable characters who can stand up independently.

It's a fantastic recycled craft that encourages creative decorating and doubles as playful décor or toys for undersea adventures.

iheartcraftythings.com

Wooden Spoon Mermaid

An ordinary wooden spoon becomes an adorable mermaid puppet in this simple craft. Kids can paint or draw a face on the spoon's bowl (for the mermaid's face), give her flowing yarn hair, and attach a glittery paper tail to the handle to create their mermaid character.

It's completely customizable and perfect for puppet play at home—children will love making the mermaid “swim” and perform in their undersea shows.

thatkidscraftsite.com

Mermaid Wand

Every little mermaid princess needs a magical wand, and this under-the-sea project lets kids create their own. The craft is simple to make – children can decorate a stick or dowel with shiny paper seashells, foam starfish, or a mermaid tail cutout on top, plus lots of ribbons that stream like ocean waves.

Once finished, the wand becomes a gateway to imaginative play, perfect for casting pretend spells and adding a splash of mermaid magic to any playtime or party.

intheplayroom.co.uk

Yarn-Wrapped Popsicle Stick Mermaid

These “majestic” little mermaids only require popsicle sticks, yarn, a bit of felt, and a marker to make. Kids wrap colorful yarn around the stick to form the mermaid's tail and body, add a felt tail fin, and draw on a smiling face to bring their mermaid to life.

This craft is not only bright and cute, but also an excellent way for children to practice fine motor skills as they wind the yarn, and in the end, they have a playful mermaid friend for pretend play.

More Fun Kid’s Ideas

12 Fin-tastic Mermaid Activities For Kids
36 Easy & Fun Summer Handprint Crafts for Kids
38 Fun Ocean Crafts For Kids

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photograph of found of Simple Everyday Mom, Sam

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Sam is the crafter and founder of Simple Everyday Mom. She has been featured in Oprah Mag, Good Housekeeping, The Spruce Crafts, Country Living, The Bump, and more.

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