29 Best Under The Sea Crafts For Kids

Looking for easy under the sea crafts for kids? This list of ocean-themed ideas includes simple, fun projects for preschoolers, kindergarteners, and early elementary kids that use everyday materials like paper plates, cardboard, and paint.

From jellyfish and sea turtles to fish and ocean scenes, these crafts are perfect for home, classroom, or summer activities. Most are low-prep and take 15–30 minutes, making them ideal for quick, engaging creative time while learning about marine life.

Explore the DIYs below, and for more interactive learning, our summer crafts for kids make an excellent addition to your kids’ invention adventures!

Poster-style collage of ocean-themed kids crafts such as mermaids, fish, sharks, and sea animals, with bold text reading “Under the Sea Kids Crafts for Fine Motor Practice.”

Mermaid Handprint Craft

This project provides an excellent way for kids to improve their fine motor skills and embark on an underwater fantasy.

It creates a cute keepsake and offers a fantastic opportunity for you to encourage your kids’ imaginations around the mythical creatures of the ocean.

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Little Mermaid Crafts

Bring Ariel's adventures to life with these little mermaid DIYs! While creating, you can discuss the themes of bravery, adventure, and friendship.

It is perfect for fans of the classic Disney movie.

Need another ocean craft idea? Try this cute mermaid toilet paper roll craft!

Jellyfish Craft

Create a fun and easy jellyfish using simple paper materials that’s perfect for preschool and early elementary kids. This low-prep ocean-themed activity uses colorful paper, scissors, and glue to build fine motor skills and encourage creativity. With playful dangling tentacles and cute designs, it’s ideal for summer learning, classroom ocean units, or rainy day crafting at home. Kids can also explore basic marine life concepts while making their own bright, friendly sea creature.

Paper Plate Octopus

Bring the underwater world home with this octopus activity. Kids will love creating this eight-legged creature and learning about these intelligent sea animals.

This idea provides a fun opportunity to educate children about marine life and ocean conservation.

https://rediscoveredfamilies.com

Shark Craft

Create a playful shark craft using a paper cup and bright cardstock that’s perfect for preschoolers and kindergarten kids. This simple, low-prep ocean activity helps build cutting and gluing skills while kids assemble fins, eyes, and big shark teeth. The 3D design makes it extra engaging for pretend play and hands-on learning.

Want another similar craft? Try out this shark name craft!

Two completed mermaid name crafts featuring colorful paper mermaids with crowns labeled “Chloe” and “Luna,” displayed on a white surface with mermaid-scale fabric – cute and customizable name activity for preschool and kindergarten kids.

Mermaid Name Activity

This mermaid name craft is a cute, hands-on way for kids to practice spelling their names while making their own colorful mermaid. It’s a simple cut-and-paste activity using basic supplies, so it’s perfect for preschool and kindergarten at home or in the classroom.

Paper Plate Crab

Create a whimsical paper plate crab that can be a playful addition to your summer-themed activities. This idea offers a great opportunity to excite your little ones and learn more about crabs and their habitats.

It's also an excellent way to develop fine and artistic motor skills.

mamaofminis.com

Under The Sea Crafts

Discover a variety of engaging under the sea crafts that turn ocean themes into hands-on learning experiences for kids. This collection includes creative projects featuring different sea animals, each with its own textures, shapes, and design elements to keep kids interested.

two side by side examples of paper chain octopus craft

Paper Chain Octopus Craft For Kids W/Template

Transform a stack of colorful paper into an enchanting undersea adventure with this paper chain octopus craft.

This activity invites kids to create their own octopus by linking paper strips to form wiggly tentacles. As they glue and loop each piece, they'll practice essential skills like cutting and hand-eye coordination.

craftsbyamanda.com

Paper Plate Tropical Fish

Make a colorful tropical fish craft using a simple paper plate that is perfect for preschool and early elementary kids. This easy ocean-themed activity uses paint, paper, and glue to help build fine motor skills and creative expression. Kids can decorate their fish with bright patterns while learning about sea life and aquatic habitats.

For more paper plate fun, make this paper plate fish craft.

www.thepurplepumpkinblog.co.uk

Sweet Mermaid Clothespin Craft

This project enables you to teach about mythical creatures and storytelling while nurturing your child's originality.

You can also use this activity to discuss themes of kindness, friendship, and exploring new horizons.

www.theinspirationedit.com

DIY Kids Ocean Craft

Create an underwater world with this fun ocean-themed activity! Transform wooden or paper mache eggs into adorable sea creatures like a sea turtle, a puffer fish, and a killer whale.

Kids will love painting and assembling these colorful ocean creatures.

craftykidsplay.com

Mermaid Paper Plate Puppet Craft

Create a magical mermaid paper plate puppet that kids can use for storytelling and imaginative play. This hands-on craft combines simple materials like paper plates, cut paper shapes, and craft sticks to build both creativity and fine motor skills. The finished puppet encourages role play, helping kids practice communication, sequencing, and confidence as they act out ocean-themed stories.

This mermaid paper craft is another fun ocean idea!

craftykidsplay.com

Turtle Paper Plate Craft

Turn this turtle into a fun, interactive game where kids can race their paper plate turtles.

Adding a string mechanism allows them to compete to see whose turtle moves fastest, blending crafting with playful competition and motor skill development.

twokidsandacoupon.com

Toilet Paper Tube Mermaid Craft

Create an undersea world with toilet paper! This idea is perfect for encouraging imaginative play and developing dexterity.

Kids can customize their mermaids with different colors and decorations, making each unique.

www.livinglifeandlearning.com

Whale Paper Plate Craft

Make a simple whale craft using a paper plate and basic cut-and-paste pieces that is perfect for early elementary kids. This ocean activity helps build fine motor skills as children assemble the whale and create an underwater scene with sea plants and small details.

Kids will also love this adorable whale handprint craft!

www.livinglifeandlearning.com

Rainbow Fish Paper Plate Craft

Create a vibrant rainbow fish craft using a paper plate and colorful paper pieces that kids can layer to form bright, textured scales. This hands-on activity supports fine motor development as children cut, glue, and arrange each scale into a unique pattern. The mix of colors and shapes makes it ideal for exploring creativity, color recognition, and simple design skills.

thesoccermomblog.com

Paper Plate Fish Craft

Swim into a world of color with this project. Kids can turn simple paper plates into vibrant fish with scales made from various creative materials.

They will have a blast mixing and matching colors, patterns, and textures to make each fish unique.

This activity boosts resourcefulness and inventiveness, making it a fantastic way for children to explore their artistic abilities.

meandmyinklings.com

Popsicle Stick Narwhal Kid Craft

This project can also serve as an introduction to mythical creatures and the difference between real and fictional animals.

By comparing the narwhal to mythical unicorns, children can explore imagination, folklore, and how real animals can inspire myths and legends.

intheplayroom.co.uk

Hydrodipped Starfish Craft for Summer

This starfish DIY can also be a sensory object for kids to touch and explore different textures and shapes, significantly benefiting younger children in developing their fine motor skills and sensory awareness.

mamalikesthis.com

Stingray Craft

Create a simple stingray craft using paper and paint that lets kids explore ocean animals in a creative, hands-on way. This activity focuses on shape recognition and basic crafting skills as children decorate the wide body and long tail.

hawaiitravelwithkids.com

Whale Craft

Make a big splash with this whale project that is perfect for an afternoon of creative fun. Guide your kids in making these gentle giants of the sea, and you can start a conversation about whale songs, migrations, and more.

This hands-on activity promotes dexterity and encourages original thinking as kids personalize their whales.

Play pretend with this cute whale name craft!

www.ourkidthings.com

Cardboard Roll Yarn Wrapped Mermaid

Who says cardboard rolls are just for recycling bins? This project is about making something beautiful, a lesson in upcycling, and finding new uses for everyday items.

It also helps kids improve their hand-eye coordination.

mamaofminis.com

Mermaid Craft

Make a charming mermaid craft using a paper plate and simple craft materials that kids can easily cut, color, and assemble. This activity focuses on creative design as children add details like hair, shells, and patterned tails. The hands-on process supports fine motor control while giving kids freedom to express their own style.

www.frugalmomeh.com

Toilet Paper Roll Mermaid

Who knew a toilet paper roll could be so magical? With this activity, kids will learn to see the creative potential in everyday objects.

They will design and decorate their mermaids, practicing their artistic skills and imagination.

Also, try out this fun mermaid puppet craft!

www.littleladoo.com

Toilet Paper Roll Octopus Craft

Explore learning with this adorable octopus activity! Kids will enjoy creating colorful octopuses while engaging in hands-on play.

Each tentacle becomes a playful way to practice counting, turning math into an exciting underwater adventure!

Add to your ocean theme with this paper cup octopus craft!

mamalikesthis.com

Swordfish Craft

Kids will love creating this swordfish DIY. They can design a swordfish complete with a long, pointy “sword” nose.

This activity is perfect for sparking an interest in marine life while allowing children to practice fine motor skills.

mamalikesthis.com

Mermaid Treasure Box Craft

Create a magical treasure box perfect for storing little treasures and keepsakes such as jewelry, trinkets, or secret notes.

This activity allows kids to decorate their boxes with shells, glitter, and other sparkly items to make it mermaid themed!

Jellyfish Paper Chain Craft

Kids will love turning simple paper strips into a bright, wiggly jellyfish with this easy craft. It’s a great pick for 5-8 year olds, giving them a chance to practice cutting and gluing while creating something fun. It's great for ocean themes, summer activities, or a quick low-prep craft at home or in the classroom.

thepennywisemama.com

Cute Seashell Fish Craft

Create a cute seashell fish craft using real shells and simple craft supplies for a hands-on, nature-inspired activity. Kids can paint and decorate each shell to design their own colorful fish while practicing fine motor skills and creativity. This craft also introduces basic concepts like reusing natural materials and observing textures and shapes.

Kids will also love this cute fish bowl paper plate craft!

organized31.com

Simple One Fish Two Fish Craft

Explore an underwater world with this project, where Dr. Seuss meets the ocean! Imagine creating cute fish inspired by those whimsical tales..

This activity boosts imagination and hone fine motor skills, helping kids dream up new ocean stories and invent quirky characters.

More Fun Kid’s Ideas

28 Colorful & Fun Paper Plate Summer Crafts
99 Best Animal 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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