20 Hands-On Under The Sea Vacation Bible School Crafts Using Simple Supplies

Bring an ocean theme to life with these colorful under the sea vacation Bible school crafts for kids. Perfect for parents, teachers, church volunteers, and homeschool families, these activities are best suited for preschoolers, kindergarteners, and younger elementary children.

This roundup includes painting ideas, printable templates, handprint art, puppets, and wearable ocean animals using supplies you probably already have at home or in the classroom. They’re simple to prepare, engaging for groups, and a wonderful addition to summer VBS lessons or rainy afternoon activities. You can also browse our Bible crafts for kids for more creative inspiration.

Collage of colorful under-the-sea paper crafts, including fish, octopuses, sharks, crabs, and jellyfish, with large text reading ‘20 Hands-On Under the Sea Vacation Bible School Crafts

Paper Plate Pufferfish

A paper plate, paint, and printable belly, fin, mouth, and eye pieces come together to make a bright ocean friend with plenty of personality. Kids get to paint the plate first, then glue on the layered paper parts for a clean, satisfying finish.

The puffed-up shape and playful details make it a fun pick when you want something simple that still stands out.

Paper Chain Octopus

Loop construction paper strips into chains for the arms, glue them to the printable body pieces, and finish the craft with marker spots. That mix of cutting, linking, and assembling keeps little hands busy in a way that feels more like play than practice.

The long, swingy arms are what make it extra fun once art time is over.

Crab Paper Cup

A paper cup, cardstock, scissors, glue, and the template turn an everyday supply into a cute beachy character. Kids build the eyes on stalks, attach them to the inside of the cup, and fold the claws along the sides for a simple 3D effect.

The finished piece has just enough dimension to feel different from flat paper art.

Paper Plate Shark

A paper plate, paint, cardstock, a marker, and the printable pieces come together in a bold ocean design with a big mouth and fins. Kids paint the plate blue, glue the mouth and tongue together, and add the extra parts once everything is dry.

The large shape makes it a strong choice for classroom walls or summer bulletin boards.

Humpback Whale Headband

Cardstock, tape, glue, scissors, markers, and the printable pieces make a wearable project kids can put on right away. After cutting out the parts, they glue on the eyes, cheeks, and belly, then attach the band to fit.

Wearing the finished piece is half the fun, which makes it great for ocean units or group activities.

Tissue Paper Jellyfish

Tissue paper squares, cardstock, glue, scissors, and the printable pieces create a colorful project with lots of texture. Kids spread glue over the body, scrunch the tissue paper into place, and then finish the face with the mouth and eyes.

All that pinching and pressing gives little hands a good workout while still feeling calm and creative.

Fork Painted Puffer Fish

A fork-and-paint technique creates the spiky texture, while the printed eyes, fins, mouth, and belly bring the craft to life. Kids get a new way to paint without needing lots of supplies or complicated steps.

The unusual tool choice is what makes the finished piece feel fresh and memorable.

Shark Painting

White art paper, watercolors, a paintbrush, scissors, glue, and the printable scene come together to create a full underwater picture rather than a single cutout. Kids paint the pages, cut out the pieces, and glue everything onto a blue background for a layered finish.

It works well for children who enjoy open-ended painting but still like having a clear final design.

hand holding toilet paper roll humpback whale craft

Humpback Whale Toilet Paper Roll

A toilet paper roll, cardstock, tape, markers, and optional googly eyes turn a recycled tube into an ocean character with a rounded shape. Kids wrap the roll, add the belly and flippers, and finish it with curved marker lines for extra detail.

Using a cardboard tube gives the project a sturdy feel that holds up well after art time.

Handprint Jellyfish

Construction paper, scissors, glue, and the printable head and eye pieces keep the supply list simple and low-mess. A traced handprint is cut out and glued behind the body so the fingers hang down like extra tentacles.

That personal touch makes the finished piece feel more special than a standard printable.

Paper Plate Fish

A paper plate, paint, cardstock, glue, scissors, a pencil, and the template come together in a bright project kids can customize with their favorite colors. After painting the plate, children trace the body shape onto it, cut it out, and add the extra paper details.

The bold painted base gives the finished piece a cheerful look that works well for summer displays.

Two finished torn paper shark crafts on blue backgrounds with drawn ocean waves. Fun under-the-sea activity for preschoolers and kindergarteners using printable templates.

Shark Torn Paper

Shades of blue, gray, and white paper are torn into small pieces and glued over the printable base for a textured finish with no careful cutting required. Kids can focus on ripping, placing, and covering the shape little by little, which is great for fine motor practice.

The rough edges give the final piece more character than smooth paper ever could.

Whale Handprint

Colored paper, scissors, glue, a black marker, and the template turn a traced handprint into a keepsake-style ocean project with light blue details. Kids cut the printed body pieces, personalize the design with their own handprint, and add the water drops for extra movement.

It is an easy activity to save because the finished piece captures small hands in a sweet, seasonal way.

Hammerhead Shark Puppet

A brown paper bag, cardstock, scissors, glue, a marker, and the printable pieces make a puppet ready for pretend play as soon as it dries. Kids glue the mouth to the head, build the body pieces, and attach everything to the bag for an easy-moving project.

The extra-wide shape gives it a look that sets it apart from other ocean puppets.

Killer Whale Headband

Black-and-white cardstock, glue, tape, scissors, and the printable band pieces come together to create a wearable project with bold contrast. Kids glue the mouth onto the base, place the eyes above it, and finish the band so they can wear it right away.

Because it comes in a ready-to-make or color-in version, it works well for different ages and attention spans.

Mermaid Headband

Colored cardstock, glue, scissors, tape, and the printable pieces come together to build a wearable under-the-sea design centered on shells, coral, and starfish.

Kids draw details with markers, glue the coral at the sides, add the starfish behind the main shell, and tape on the extenders to finish. The layered seaside pieces give it a dress-up feel without needing anything fancy.

Octopus Handprint

Colored cardstock, scissors, glue, a pencil, a dark purple marker, and the printable pieces keep the setup simple. Kids trace both hands, cut them out, and use them as the arms before adding the face and marker details.

Seeing two handprints turned into something so lively makes it especially fun for the little one.

Jellyfish Paper Plate

A paper plate, paint, cardstock, a pencil, scissors, glue, tape, a marker, and the template create a project with a rounded layered body. Kids trace the two body sections on the plate, overlap them, and then add the face once the painted pieces are ready.

The curved shape gives the finished design more depth than a basic flat cutout.

Shark Headband

Colored and white cardstock, glue, markers, tape, or a stapler, and the printable pieces turn into a wearable project with a wide-toothed grin. Kids build the mouth first, attach it to the underbelly, and then glue that section onto the headband base before fitting it to size.

Because they can put it on right away, the art easily shifts from art time to pretend play.

Handprint Crab

Red and white cardstock, googly eyes, a marker, glue, scissors, and a traced handprint come together in a simple beachy keepsake. Kids place the two handprints with the thumbs up and fingers out, overlap the palms, and glue the claws and face into the center.

The handprint shape gives the finished piece a playful look that feels extra personal.

More Fun Kid’s Ideas

70+ Fun Summer Crafts For Kids
120+ Easy Handprint Crafts for Preschool & Elementary 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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