Do you have a little one who loves whales and crafting?
It’s never too early to start teaching children about the wonders of marine life!
These whale crafts for preschoolers are a fun way to create and learn about different whale species.
From paper plate crafts to paper bag puppets and origami, these whale crafts will provide your child with hands-on exploration of different art materials while developing their fine motor skills with painting, cutting, and gluing.
No matter what your child’s skill level, you’re sure to find a great whale craft idea on this list!
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Killer Whale Paper Bag Puppet Craft [Free Template]
Orcas sometimes get a bad rap due to being called killer whales, but this killer whale puppet is nothing but adorable. Fun fact: Did you know that orcas aren't even whales at all? They're dolphins! They're the largest of the dolphin species, in fact. Kids will have so much fun making and playing with these cute paper bag puppets.
Humpback Whale Puppet Craft For Kids [Free Template]
Enjoy some crafting and pretend playtime with the kids by making our big blue humpback whale puppet. It's easy to make and helps kids work on cutting skills and following directions.
The beluga whale is one of the lesser-known whales, but we're about to change that. Kids will get super excited about these majestic creatures when making this adorable beluga whale headband. It's easy to make, a fast project for kids, and fun to wear. Make it at home or in class! All you need is white cardstock, tape, scissors, and our template. That's all there is to it!
This humpback whale headband will look so cute on the kids. Make it with or without the whale's tail. We have a black and white version for the kids who'd like to color theirs rather than tracing or printing the template on colored paper.
It’s no surprise that kids love to make crafts with paper plates. This one is especially fun because it features a snail and whale who are pals in all their adventures out at sea! If your child loves The Snail and the Whale book, this movable paper plate craft will be a big hit.
Paper Plate Humpback Whale Craft For Kids [Free Template]
Use our whale template, construction paper, a paper plate, and a few other simple craft supplies to make this awesome paper plate humpback whale. You'll need to paint one or two thin coats of paint on the plate, so make sure you allow for drying time. Alternatively, you can start off with a blue paper plate to eliminate the painting steps.
Preschoolers who are learning their letters will adore this 'W is for Whale' craft. The letter features a whale head and tail at either end and a spray of water made with pipe cleaners.
Humpback Whale Toilet Paper Roll Craft [Free Template]
This cardboard tube humpback whale is a great way to use your stash of empty toilet paper rolls. The happy little whale has water sprouting out of his head (or blowhole). Isn't that adorable? Cutting the paper to fit the toilet paper roll is super easy using our template.
Use the printable template and colored paper to make this adorable whale papercraft! It's as easy as cutting out the shapes from paper or cardstock, then gluing them together. This quick craft is perfect for home or school. You'll be done in minutes with no prep work required.
You know all those eggs you saved from Easter? Well, this project is the perfect way to recycle them. All you need are some paper scraps and a blue plastic egg! You don't have to use a blue egg, though. Your whale can be any color you'd like.
There are many animals in the world, but few seem as magical and strange as narwhals. They're whales, but they also have a unicorn-esque horn on their head, making them look completely different from the other underwater mammals. If your kids love interesting creatures, they'll have a blast making this narwhal craft.
Turn a piece of paper into an adorable whale craft by simply folding it. The step-by-step video makes this easy enough for kids of all ages to follow along, with only a little cutting involved. Don't forget the Sharpie – you'll need it so that your new friend has eyes and facial features!
Capture the beauty of a majestic whale in an easy paper bag craft. This project comes with templates to trace and cut, making it super simple. Paint your whale any color you'd like! Our favorite is the purple one!
Turn a simple egg carton piece into a cute little whale craft! You'll use pipe cleaners to make the water spurting out of the blowhole. Adults will need to assist little ones in making the hole for the whale's head, as this involves a craft knife.
You may be thinking, "What's the point in saving your k-cups?" Well, instead of throwing them away like I used to do (blah), here are some fun ways you can totally upcycle and reuse those little cups. They're perfect for crafting, as you can see with this cute little whale craft—what a fun way to repurpose something that you would have thrown in the trash.
This 3D whale craft is easy to make with printable templates and lots of fun to play with. It has a lovely round body, movable tail, and a handle for making it swim back and forth! The template comes in 9 colors that children can color or trace around onto colored paper.
We hope that you’ve enjoyed this roundup of great educational and fun whale crafts for preschoolers.
Dive into a sea of creativity with this cute Killer Whale toilet paper roll craft! It’s an engaging activity that allows kids to explore their artistic side. It also educates them about one of the most fascinating creatures in the ocean.
We would love to hear your favorite whale craft or what type of art project is on your bucket list! Don’t forget to pin this post!
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. Read more.