Ocean Theme: Easy Handprint Fish

We LOVE Handprint Crafts (ok, really I do but the Lil Divas are always ready to comply!)

For our Ocean Theme I just had to make these adorable handprint fish.

I fist made these over 11 years ago with my very 1st preschool class!

It was a hit then & it was a hit now with my Lil Divas.

The Craft: Easy Handprint Fish

What You Need:

varied color paints

paint brushes

white paper

black permanent marker

What We Did:

1. Each Lil Diva decided what colors she wanted to use for her fish.

I was thinking 2 but they opted for the full rainbow, haha!

2. To make the fish paint the bottom of the palm nearest the wrist as the face in 1 color

Then, paint the remainder of the palm in another color.

Finally, paint the fingers in alternating colors.

(see pic below)



2. Make your handprint & allow drying time

3. Once the print has dried add an eye & mouth using black permanent marker.

I added their names & the date to our finished picture as well.

The Oldest Diva opted to make 1 rainbow fish and 1 clown fish -

She added air bubbles using her pinky dipped into blue paint - a fun little detail



These came out so cute & are really easy to do!

If you have younger kids I suggest using a minimal amount of colors -

the most time is spent painting their hands so if they are squirmy you will want to choose only 2 colors.

For more fun handprint & footprint crafts check out our:

Hand & Foot Print Bumble Bee

Hand & Finger Print Bunnies

Handprint Polar Bears

Handprint Leprechauns

Footprint Penguins

Books:

Enjoy,

Bern



Ocean Theme - Easy Paper Towel Roll Octopus

We are officially on vacation which means no crafts but we did do some fun activities before we left in preparation of one of our 1st stops - The Georgia Aquarium! :)

We did a mini ocean theme in between my packing, shopping and working - I planned so much more than we got around to doing so we will most likely pick up where we left off when we get back home but for now you can take a peek at the fun we did get have!

Craft - Easy Paper Towel Roll Octopus:

What You Need:

paper towel roll

(you can do a TP roll but the length of a paper towel roll gives nice long tentacles!)

paint

brushes

What We Did:

1. Paint your paper roll completely and allow to dry

(we did this project over 2 days)

2. Once your tube is dry cut lengthwise to make 8 tentacles

3. Using a pencil or marker roll each strip and then unroll so that it has a slightly curved look

4. Add dots to each tentacle - we used glitter paint but you can use marker, dot stickers, etc.

5. Add wiggly or draw eyes and a mouth & voila -

you now have a cute lil octopus friend!



Books:

If you know of any other fun octopus books be sure to comment & let me know!

For more fun TP Roll Crafts check out our:
TP Roll Rabbit
TP Roll Bumble Bee

Enjoy,

Bern

Ocean Theme - Tissue Paper & Foil Rainbow Fish Craft

I have always loved the book Rainbow Fish (though I know some people don't) - not only is it sparkly, with a beautiful fish for a main character - even though he is rather conceited in the beginning. I have always found that if told the right way it can help teach children about the importance of sharing, thinking about others and being a good friend. It really is all in the telling and what you decide to focus on.

I know there has been much debate on the fact that some think it actually has a poor message about buying one's friends, etc but personally, I am always suprised at how people either love or hate this book. I look at it from the view point of the child and frankly they always seem to find it mesmerizing and quite engaging. As a parent and an educator - every time I have read this book to children it has generated wonderful discussion on being selfish, not being a good friend, etc. The Lil Divas and I had a wonderful talk about being mean, not caring about others feelings and not being a good friend/sister. It was fabulous.

The Book:

The Craft:

What You Need:

white cardstock

tissue paper (various colors)

aluminum foil

glue

scissors

wiggly eye

black marker

What We Did:

1. I drew a fish template and cut one out for each Lil Diva using cardstock (it is thicker & more durable)

2. I also cut out tissue paper pieces for the tail, face and fins (I simply traced over the template) and the Lil Divas glued them on in the appropriate places.

3. I pre-cut various colored tissue paper scales and the Lil Divas glued them on - varying the colors throughout and adding a few foil scales here and there.

I encouraged overlapping so that the fish was completely covered in tissue paper scales.

4. We added a few foil strips here and there for a more glittery/sparkly effect. The Lil Divas opted to make  Rainbow Fish before he gave his scales away. You can also only use 1 foil scale to make the other version.

5. Add a wiggly eye (or draw one) and draw a mouth/smile using black marker and voila - you have a stunning Rainbow Fish!

They turned out so cute & they were really easy to make! :)

What is your take on the book Rainbow Fish? I am always curious to hear what other's think about this book!

Bern