Are you looking for a fun and simple activity to enjoy with your little ones? Look no further than this adorable jellyfish craft! This rainbow paper chain jellyfish craft is a fantastic way to spend an afternoon, and the best part is, it’s as educational as it is entertaining.
If you’re ready to transform a lazy afternoon into an ocean adventure then we’ve got a super fun craft that’s perfect for both the little squirts and the big fish in your family. We’re talking about a colorful jellyfish craft that’s as easy as it is delightful.
Here’s what you’ll need: a stack of colorful paper, scissors, and a dash of creativity. Begin by cutting strips of paper and loop them into chains – these will become the wiggly tentacles of our friendly jellyfish.
Next, craft a sweet, smiling face and attach it to the top of your tentacles. Voilà! You’ve brought a charming paper jellyfish to life. Following along with the full step by step in just a moment…
This activity isn’t just a blast; it’s also brimming with benefits for your kids:
Fine Motor Skills
As they snip, loop, and glue, making the colorful paper chains, your kiddos are giving their little fingers a workout, improving dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
Creativity and Imagination
Choosing colors, designing the face, and imagining the underwater adventures of their jellyfish sparks creativity and opens up a sea of possibilities in their minds.
Following Instructions
This craft helps children practice listening and following steps, which is a valuable skill in all areas of life.
Emotional Development
Crafting together is a cozy, bonding experience that nurtures your relationship and builds happy memories.
Theme Learning
Dive into discussions about ocean life, the environment, and the incredible creatures that live beneath the waves, making learning natural and fun. This fine motor jellyfish craft is a perfect activity to include in preschool under the sea themes, or ocean themes, and jellyfish are also perfect for summer.
With the rainbow included, this craft is also a great choice for learning about colors and could even be used for a pride craft.
How to Make Rainbow Paper Chain Jellyfish
Whether it’s a rainy day rescue or a planned project, this jellyfish craft is sure to float to the top of your family’s favorite activities.
So, grab those papers and let’s make a splash in the crafty ocean!
What You’ll Need
- Colorful construction paper (or you can buy ready made paper chain strips if you prefer)
- Cardboard
- Crayons or paint
- Scissors
- Glue or tape
- Googly eyes (optional for extra cuteness! Otherwise, we are going to make our own paper eyes)
- String or ribbon for hanging (optional)
Step 1: Create the Tentacles with Paper Chains
Choose a variety of colorful papers for a vibrant jellyfish.
Cut the paper into strips about 1 inch wide and 6-12 inches long, depending on how long you want the tentacles.
Loop each strip into a circle and secure it with glue or tape.
Connect another strip through the first circle and secure it to create a chain. Keep adding more loops to form a long, chain-like tentacle.
Repeat this process until you have as many tentacles as you’d like – Here we have 7 tentacles, one for each color of the rainbow, with 6 paper chains on each one.
Step 2: Make the Jellyfish Body
Take a piece of paper or cardboard for the jellyfish’s body, then cut out a semi-circle for the dome of the jellyfish.
You can go with something pre colored in a color of your choice, or just use regular cardboard and color with crayons as shown.
Using cardboard and crayon gave some texture to the jellyfish body, which is a nice effect. You don’t have to stick with just one color – encourage the kids to get creative here!
If you’re feeling extra crafty, you can use a textured sponge or cotton balls to dab on some paint for a unique pattern on the jellyfish’s body.
Step 3: Assemble the Face
It’s time to give your jellyfish some personality. Here’s where the kids can get really creative!
Cut out two large circles for the eyes and smaller circles in a different color for the pupils. Or, for a quicker version, just stick on some googly eyes.
For the smile, cut a thin crescent shape. Feel free to add some rosy cheeks with smaller circles if you’d like.
Glue the eyes and the smile onto the flat side of the semi-circle (jellyfish’s body).
Step 4: Attach the Tentacles
Turn the jellyfish body over so the face is on the bottom, facing the table. We are going to attach the tentacles at the back.
Apply glue or tape along the straight edge of the semi-circle.
Press the top loops of your paper chain tentacles onto the glue or tape. Make sure they’re spaced out evenly and hang down nicely.
Once the tentacles are securely attached, flip it back over. You should see your jellyfish’s happy face with all the tentacles hanging down.
Step 5: Finishing Touches
If you want to hang your jellyfish, tape a piece of string or ribbon to the top of the jellyfish body, at the back.
You can also add extra details, like glitter, stickers, or anything else your heart desires.
And there you have it – a cheerful paper jellyfish with flowing tentacles ready to dance in the imaginary currents of your home.
Hang them up to brighten a room or make a whole swarm for a jellyfish parade. It’s not just about making something cute; it’s about the laughter, the stories, and the little moments of pride in creation. Have a swimmingly good time crafting!
More Under The Sea Crafts For Kids
Get ready to dive deeper into the ocean’s depths with more under-the-sea crafts! After your jellyfish have floated off to bob around the house, why not explore the rest of the ocean’s wonders?
From the colorful coral reefs to the mysterious creatures lurking in the deep, there’s an entire underwater world waiting to be crafted. These easy-to-make crafts are perfect for little hands and big imaginations.
- Easy Starfish Craft With Free Printable Template
- Paper Plate Whale
- 10 Ocean Coloring Pages for Kids
- Watercolor Paper Bag Jellyfish Craft
- Easy Paper Plate Fish Craft
- Paper Plate Turtle Craft With Free Printable Template (3D)
If you’ve had as much fun creating these under-the-sea crafts as we did, why not share the inspiration?
We’d be thrilled if you could take a moment to pin this easy and colorful jellyfish craft on Pinterest.
Luciana joined our team as a mum blogger in 2020. A dedicated mum to a lively daughter and a dog, Luna, Luciana brings authenticity and passion to every post. Her expertise in parenting and lifestyle topics offers practical, relatable advice for real-life situations.
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