Octopus are one of our favorite animals to see at the aquarium! They’re so mysterious and strange that we just can’t get enough of them.

This octopus handprint craft is a fun ocean craft for kids that only requires a few supplies.

It’s great for making with preschoolers, kindergarten, and elementary kids and it comes with a free printable template.

Download the template, then watch our quick video tutorial to see how we made this cute octopus craft.

Octopus Craft

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Supplies

• Colored cardstock or construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Pencil
• Dark purple marker
• Octopus template (enter your email in the form at the end of this post to have the link sent to you)

Directions

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

Trace your child’s left and right hand on a piece of colored cardstock, cut them out, and set them aside.

Create the octopus head by gluing the eyes slightly above the mouth.

Next, glue the cheeks outside and below the eyes.

Use a dark orange marker to draw spots on the top of the octopus’s head.

Take your child’s handprints and cut the thumb off of one of them. Arrange the hands so the fingers are pointing down and slightly overlap them. You’ll want the hand without the thumb to be on top of the other hand. Glue the hands together.

Glue the head to the palm section of the hands.

Use a dark orange marker to draw the suckers along the edge of the fingers.

Finish off the octopus by slightly curling the ends of the fingertips. You can bend them around the end of your finger or a pencil.

Now your child is done! Isn’t this octopus craft just perfect for summer?

Ocean Theme For Kids

Summertime is upon us and that means long days with the kids at home. As a parent, you may be dreading the thought of trying to keep them entertained for three months straight.

But before you default to screens all day, think about creating a summer mini theme for your kids. There are so many fun underwater-themed activities to try. The possibilities are endless! Not only will this provide some structure to their days, but it will also be a fun way for them to learn something new.

Check out our favorite ideas below!

Kids’ Ocean Books

As any parent knows, getting kids to sit still and focus can be a challenge. But if you want to start an ocean theme study with your little ones, reading aloud one of these great ocean-themed children’s books is a great way to capture their attention and get them excited about learning more about the ocean. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy a few moments of peace and quiet while they’re engrossed in the story!

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!

Summer Kids’ Crafts

This summer, parents everywhere will be looking for ways to keep their kids entertained. If you’re one of them, you might be thinking about enrolling your child in a crafting class. But before you do, consider this: encourage your kids to get crafty at home instead.

Crafting is a great way for kids to express their creativity, and it’s also a lot of fun. Plus, it’s a great way to spend time with your child. So this summer, why not set up a crafting station in your home with some of these easy projects?!

Paper Plate Pirate Craft – Argh, matey! This pirate craft is the perfect activity for a rainy day or a pirate-themed birthday party. It’s easy enough for even the littlest buccaneers to make, and it’s sure to be a hit with all the little scallywags.

Mermaid Paper Craft– This mermaid craft is perfect for kids who love sea creatures. It’s easy to make and only requires a few supplies that you probably already have around the house. Best of all, it’s a lot of fun to make!

Shark Headband Craft – Who knew that sharks could be so cute? This shark headband craft is perfect for kids to make from paper or color in with crayons.

Handprint Jellyfish Craft – On a hot day, the last thing kids want to do is be outside. But this jellyfish craft is the perfect solution! You can make these fun jellyfish in the a/c with just a few supplies, and no paint is needed. So if you’re looking for a fun and easy summer craft, this is the one for you!

Ocean Activities For Kids

If your kids are anything like mine, they are fascinated by sharks! So we’ve put together these free shark connect the dot printables for kids. These pages are not only fun, but they also help with counting, number recognition, and fine motor skills.

Looking for a fun way to help your kids practice their scissor skills? Check out these jellyfish cutting activity pages! They’re perfect for younger kids who are just learning how to use scissors, and they’ll have a blast cutting away.

These ocean pattern block mats for kids are the perfect way to keep your little ones entertained this summer. Not only are they fun, but they’re also educational. Plus, the colorful design is sure to capture your child’s attention.

More Ocean Fun

• Kids will love this portrait of them that turns them into shark riders!
• Encourage sensory play and exploration with this ocean play dough kit.
• Get one of these shark reward charts to help motivate your kids.

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 Octopus Body Template