This mermaid handprint craft is a fun ocean-themed activity for kids ages 5-8 that transforms their little handprint into a cute keepsake they’ll be excited to show off. It’s a great pick for mermaid lovers, summer crafting, classroom ocean units, or as an easy afternoon project at home, and it comes together in just 20-30 minutes.

This mermaid handprint is one of our many mermaid activities for kids. Be sure to download the free printable template and then watch our quick video tutorial to see how to make it!

Collage of paper mermaid crafts with text reading “Handprint Mermaid Craft Made From Paper & Glue.”

Mermaid Paper Craft

We love activities like this because they mix creativity with skill-building. As they work on this paper mermaid craft, your children will practice fine motor skills, following directions, and creative expression, all while making something that feels playful instead of too much like schoolwork!

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Supplies

Colored cardstock or construction paper
Scissors
Glue
Pencil
Mermaid template (click the “click here to get your freebies” image at the end of the post)

Directions

Download the mermaid template, print, and cut out the pieces you need.

Hands hold a printed mermaid craft template with text reading “download the template on the blog.”

Begin by gluing the eyes just above the smile, on each side.

Hands attach eyes to a paper cutout of a mermaid body on a white surface.

Position the bangs at the top of the head and glue them down.

Hands place pink paper hair onto a mermaid face during the craft assembly.

Next, take the mermaid tail and glue it to the bottom of the torso.

Hands attach a green tail piece to a paper mermaid body.

Glue the swim top to the the body of the mermaid.

Hands add a purple top to a partially assembled paper mermaid.

Trace your child’s hand onto a paper that is the same color as the bangs, then cut it out. Position the handprint hair in the way you like, then glue the head to the center of the handprint.

Hands attach the final hair piece to complete a paper mermaid craft.

Now you’re done! Isn’t that a fun and quick activity? It’s perfect for summer days. Keep reading below for more low prep ideas to keep kids having fun!

Single paper mermaid craft with pink hair and a green tail on a white background.

Kids’ Summer Books

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!

Close-up of a hand holding a completed paper mermaid craft with blue hair and a green tail.

Kids’ Summer Crafts

Jellyfish Craft– This paper jellyfish craft is so cute and easy to make, and is one of our most popular summer activities! It’s easy to make and can be customized to your child’s favorite colors!

Paper Plate Crab Craft – Children love to paint, and this paper plate crab craft is the perfect way to explore their creative side. With just a few simple supplies, kids can transform a plain white paper plate into a work of art!

Collage of ocean animal crafts including a red crab, jellyfish, fish made from paper plates, and a blue shark.

Shark Headband Craft– We’ve made lots of headband crafts over the last few years, but this shark one is at the top of our favorites list! Kids can print it out on colored paper, or they can print it out in black and white and color it in instead.

Paper Plate Pufferfish Craft – This easy pufferfish craft is a simple under-the-sea activity that lets kids create a silly fish using a paper plate and printable pieces. This one is best suited for preschool and kindergarten kids, and it only takes about 20-30 minutes to make!

Summer Activities

These summer color by number printables for kids are the perfect way to keep your little ones entertained and educational this summer! With 7 different pages to choose from, there’s something for everyone. And the best part is, they’re no prep – just print and go!

Summer is the perfect time to break out the dot markers and enjoy some fun, creative activities. These summer do a dot printables are perfect for helping kids practice fine motor skills, letter recognition, patterns, and more. Best of all, they’re super easy to prepare – just print and go! So gather up the kids and get ready for some summertime fun.

Collage of ocean-themed printable activities including a labeled crab worksheet, alphabet cards, color-by-number pages, and counting sheets.

These crab worksheets for kids are so much fun! The letter C maze is great for helping little ones learn the letter C, and the handwriting page is perfect for practicing those fine motor skills. The label a crab page is perfect for learning about these fascinating creatures and practicing scissor skills.

Kids can practice important early learning skills with these ocean do a dot printables! They’re a playful printable activity set filled with ocean animal pages, specifically created for dot marker fun. Made for toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners, the 30-page pack helps build fine motor skills, counting, shape recognition, and letter practice with almost no prep for parents or teachers.

Two finished paper mermaid crafts with colorful hair and green tails displayed on a white surface.

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!

4.90 from 19 votes

Mermaid Handprint Craft For Kids

Author: Sam T

Prep Time: 7

Active Time: 10

Total Time: 17

If your children love mermaids, they'll want to turn their hands into this cute mermaid handprint craft!

Video

Materials

Instructions

Download the mermaid template, print, and cut out the pieces you need.
Begin by gluing the eyes just above the smile, on each side.
Position the bangs at the top of the head and glue them down.
Next, take the mermaid tail and glue it to the bottom of the torso.
Glue the swim top to the the body of the mermaid.
Trace your child’s hand onto a paper that is the same color as the bangs, then cut it out. Position the handprint hair in the way you like, then glue the head to the center of the handprint.

Did you make this?

Don’t forget to leave a comment below and make sure to follow on Pinterest, Facebook and TikTok for more!

Free Mermaid Template

Illustration of red-handled scissors next to the text "Click here to get your freebie" on a blue background, with a green button below that says "Grab it here."

photograph of found of Simple Everyday Mom, Sam

Meet Sam

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.

About Sam

4.90 from 19 votes (14 ratings without comment)

79 Comments

Alison says:

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I made this years ago with my daughter and now she wants to do it again! Unfortunately I haven’t received the email download this time around. Anything else I need to do?

1. Sam says:
  
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  Hi! Since you’ve already signed up for it one time, it won’t go to email. Instead, when you enter your email address in the form, it’ll automatically redirect you to the download page ◡̈
Whitney Crawford says:

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Super cute craft!! I would love to have the mermaid template!

1. Sam says:
  
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  Thanks! All you need to do is enter your email in the form at the end of this post and you’ll get the template link 🙂
lisa reid says:

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i would live to do this with my kids

1. Sam says:
  
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  Since you’re already an email subscriber, all you need to do is enter your email in the form at the end of any post and it’ll automatically redirect you to the download page ◡̈
Janice says:

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How can I print the template of the mermaid?

1. Sam says:
  
  at
  
  Since you’re already an email subscriber, all you need to do is enter your email in the form at the end of any post and it’ll automatically redirect you to the download page ◡̈
Ashley says:

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So excited to make these!!

1. Sam says:
  
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  Yay, hope everyone has fun!
Tricia says:

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Looking forward to making these handprint mermaids with my granddaughters. Thank you for sending the template my way!

1. Sam says:
  
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  Yay! I hope they have fun!
Kathi says:

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Thanks so much…perfect for our under the sea activities

1. Sam says:
  
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  Great, so glad to hear that it’s helpful!
Lisa says:

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I love the mermaid activity. Can I have the free template please?

1. Sam says:
  
  at
  
  Thanks! Since you’re already an email subscriber, all you need to do is enter your email in the form at the end of any post and it’ll automatically redirect you to the download page ◡̈
Andreea says:

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Amazing and easy crafts ideas

1. Sam says:
  
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  Thanks!!
Liz Falls says:

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I am a Kindergarten teacher and my students absolutely love mermaids!!! I would like to have them do these adorable mermaid handprint craft!!

1. Sam says:
  
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  Of course! All you need to do is enter your email in the form at the end of this post to have the link sent to you. Once you’ve been confirmed as an email subscriber (by clicking the link in the first email), you simply enter your email in any of the forms and it’ll automatically redirect you to the download page.
Maria says:

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Hi!!! I would like to have the mermaid template please!
Thank you in advance!

1. Sam says:
  
  at
  
  Since you’re already an email subscriber, all you need to do is enter your email in the form at the end of any post and it’ll automatically redirect you to the download page 🙂

Mermaid Handprint Craft For Kids [Free Template]

Mermaid Paper Craft