One of the things our kids enjoyed doing while hanging out at the beach was digging for little crabs! They’re so cute and even if they try to pinch you, they don’t hurt.

If your kiddos love crabs and the beach, they’ll have fun making this paper plate crab craft!

This is a simple ocean craft for kids that won’t require any special supplies.

Watch our quick video tutorial to see how we made this craft, then be sure to download the free printable template!

Crab Craft For Kids

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Supplies

• Paper plate
• Red paint
• Paintbrush
• Scissors
• Glue
• Pencil
• Tape
• Crab template (enter your email in the form at the end of this post to have the link sent to you)

Directions

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

Paint a paper plate in 1-2 thin coats of red paint. Let dry completely before moving on.

Place the crab body template in the middle of the paper plate, trace, and cut it out.

Glue the eyeballs to the eye stalks, then arrange them in the middle, top of the crab body. Flip the paper plate over and tape the eyes in place.

Position the crab’s claws on each side of the body, towards the top of the shell. Flip over and tape them in place.

Place the upward curved leg below the claw, followed by the other two legs. Tape them to the back of the paper plate to secure them.

Finish off the crab by using a black marker to draw on a smile in the top, middle of the crab shell.

Isn’t this crab a little cutie?! It’s a perfect activity after going to the beach or just when your child is learning about ocean animals.

Ocean Unit For Kids

Nothing is more exciting than a trip to the beach! The sound of waves crashing against the shore, the feel of sand between your toes, and the smell of salt in the air can all be experienced from the comfort of your own home with a little bit of creativity.

Whether you’re looking for a fun activity to do with your kids or a way to add a little bit of excitement to your classroom, there are plenty of ocean-themed activities that are both engaging and educational.

From simple crafts to printable worksheets, there’s something for everyone. So dive on in and explore the depths of the ocean with these fun activities!

Kids’ Ocean Books

Any parent can tell you that there is nothing quite like snuggling up with your little one and reading them a bedtime story. But did you know that reading aloud to your child can have benefits that last long after they outgrow their favorite picture books?

Many children who are read to at a young age develop better reading skills, have higher levels of vocabulary and are more likely to become lifelong readers themselves.

In addition, reading aloud provides a chance for parents and children to bond and build positive relationships.

So if you’re looking for a way to improve your child’s literacy skills and create lasting memories, pick up a book and start reading aloud today!

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 Crafts For Kids

Crafting is a great way for kids to express their creativity, work on fine motor skills, and learn to follow instructions. It can also be a fun bonding activity for families!

When kids craft, they are using their imaginations to create something new. This process helps to develop problem-solving skills and allows them to explore their own ideas.

Additionally, crafting requires the use of small muscles in the hands and fingers. This is an important skill for kids to practice as it will help them with writing and other activities that require manual dexterity.

So add in some more fun crafts that are great for kids!

Paper Plate Shark Craft – With shark week coming up, this shark craft is the perfect way to get your kids excited about the ocean! It’s a fun and hands-on activity that will help them learn about these amazing creatures. Plus, they’ll have a blast making their own shark!

Jellyfish Paper Bag Puppet Craft – Looking for a fun pretend play activity for your kids? This jellyfish craft is perfect! It’s cute, simple to make, and great for ocean-themed pretend play. Plus, it’s a great way to recycle those old paper bags. Just grab a few supplies from around the house and you’re all set. Your kids will have lots of fun with this one!

Octopus Handprint Craft – This octopus craft is perfect for ocean-themed summer crafts! They’re easy to make, and you don’t need paint. Just grab some cardstock, scissors, and glue. The kids will love how cute these octopus handprints turned out, and you’ll have a sweet keepsake.

Ocean Activities For Kids

These color by number ocean animal printables are the perfect summer activity for kids! Not only are they a fun way to spend a summer day, but they also help improve fine motor skills and number recognition. And what’s more, they’re a great way to sneak in some learning while still having fun.

If you’re looking for a fun and engaging activity for your little ones, pattern blocks are a great option! These colorful ocean pattern block mats feature different ocean-themed scenes that kids can complete using pattern blocks. Not only is this a great way to fine-tune fine motor skills, but it also helps with shape recognition and problem-solving.

More Ocean Fun

• Ocean-loving kids will love wearing this “Future Marine Biologist” t-shirt!
• This ocean playdough kit is great for screen-free sensory fun.
• Make your home more ocean-y with these ocean tiered tray decor pieces.

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 Crab Template