Paper Plate Fish Craft: Easy Craft for Kids

Recently, my son has become absolutely obsessed with Finding Nemo and everything related to fish. We all know the Finding Nemo audiobook by heart with the amount of times he’s listened to it lately! His newfound interest has led us to explore a bunch of fish-themed activities that not only keep him entertained but also spark his creativity and curiosity about marine life!

One of our latest activities is a paper plate fish craft, which was so simple, required zero prep work (we love that!!), and was such a hit! This simple yet fun project allows kids to turn ordinary paper plates into bright, cute fish using just a few basic art supplies. It’s a perfect way for children to express their artistic side while celebrating their love for fish, making it an enjoyable and educational experience for both of us.

If you’re looking to keep the fishy fun going, be sure to check out our free Build Your Own Fish Tank printable here!

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Materials You’ll Need

To make this fun paper plate fish craft, you’ll need just a few simple materials, most of which you probably already have at home:

• Paper plate
• Scissors
• Tape or glue
• Googly eyes
• Things to decorate the fish with (crayons, markers, paint, sparkles—anything you have on hand!)

We like using these kid-friendly scissors, which are great for helping kids practice cutting without being too sharp or dangerous. Whether your child prefers to use crayons for a simple design or go all out with glitter and sparkles, this craft is all about letting their creativity shine!

Directions to Make Your Paper Plate Fish

1. Decorate the paper plate: Let your child’s imagination run wild! They can color, paint, or add glitter, sequins—whatever they like. There’s no wrong way to decorate their fish, so encourage creativity.
2. Cut a triangle out of one side: This will be the fish’s mouth. You can help your child cut a triangle from one side of the paper plate using kid-friendly scissors.
3. Attach the tail: Take the triangle you just cut and tape or glue it to the opposite side of the plate (on the back). This will become the fish’s tail. We found that tape works best to hold it in place.
4. Add a googly eye: Stick on a googly eye to give the fish its face. And that’s it—you’re done!

This simple yet adorable craft is a quick project that turns out super cute and makes for a fun keepsake! If you like this activity, try our hand print fish painting here!

Variations to Try

Here are a few fun variations you can try to make the Paper Plate Fish Craft even more unique:

• Different shapes for the mouth and tail: Instead of cutting out a traditional triangle, experiment with different shapes like circles or zigzags to give your fish a more creative look.
• Add texture: Use tissue paper, felt, or fabric scraps to add texture to the fish’s body. Your child can layer the materials to make scales or fins, giving the fish a 3D effect.
• Mix up the colors: Encourage your child to go wild with colors. They can create a rainbow fish, a neon fish, or even make it resemble their favorite characters from movies like Finding Nemo.
• Hanging fish: After completing the fish, punch a small hole at the top and tie a string to it. You can hang the fish up as a decoration in your child’s room or create a fun fish mobile with multiple paper plate fish.
• Underwater scene: Use blue construction paper or a larger poster board to create an ocean background. Your child can glue their paper plate fish onto the scene, adding more fish, seaweed, and bubbles to complete their underwater masterpiece!

These simple variations can take the craft to the next level, offering endless possibilities for creativity and fun!

FAQ’s

• How long does this craft take?
  This is a quick and easy activity that typically takes about 15-30 minutes, depending on how detailed your child wants to get with decorating their fish.
• Is this craft suitable for all ages?
  Yes! It’s great for toddlers, preschoolers, and even older kids. Younger children may need some help with cutting the plate, but decorating and assembling are simple enough for all ages to enjoy.
• Can I make this mess-free?
  If you want to avoid messier materials like glitter or paint, you can stick to crayons or markers for decoration. Using a placemat or newspaper under the project can also help keep your workspace clean.
• Can you store or display the fish?
  Definitely! You can hang the paper plate fish up, display them on a bulletin board, or even use them as decorations for a sea-themed party or playroom. We use this bulletin board in our playroom to hang up all the kid’s art work.
• How can I incorporate learning into this activity?
  This craft is a great way to talk about different kinds of fish, colors, shapes, and even the concept of recycling (using materials you already have on hand like paper plates). It’s a fun mix of art and learning!