Easy Paper Plate Octopus Craft for Kids
With over a decade of experience in early childhood education, I can confidently say that summer craft time is invaluable for young learners. Setting aside time each day for arts and crafts projects fosters creativity, fine motor skills, and cognitive development. Some days, we encourage children to choose their own projects, promoting independence and decision-making. Other days, we guide them through more structured activities to introduce new concepts and techniques. One highly recommended activity is the Easy Paper Plate Octopus Craft for Kids, a delightful ocean-themed project suitable for children of all ages. This craft not only captivates their imagination but also enhances their understanding of marine life.
Recommended Grade Level:
Materials for Octopus Paper Plate Craft
- Paper Plate
- Hole Punch
- String
- Blue Paint
- Paintbrush
- Googly Eyes
- Sharpie
Octopus Craft for Kids
Summer is a great time to get curious about the ocean! Even if you live inland, it’s easy for kids to make connections with local beaches, lakes, or even the city pool. An ocean theme is jam-packed with opportunities for learning about sea life, beach habitat, or ocean tides. If you’re scrounging for more ocean theme activities, look no further than our pack of Easy Ocean Theme Preschool Lesson Plans!
Making an octopus craft is also a wonderful craft idea for kids if you are on vacation and looking for a quiet activity to do while you take a break inside from the sun.
You just need a few simple materials for this octopus craft preschool activity.
Materials needed for the Octopus Ocean Craft:
- Large paper plate
- Blue craft paint
- Blue yarn
- Paint brush
- Hole punch
- Self stick googly eyes (or glue if they aren’t self stick)
- Black permanent marker
- Scissors
How to Make the Octopus Ocean Craft:
Step One:
First, you’ll need to cut the paper plate in half. Then, paint one half of the paper plate with the blue paint. Apply a second coat if needed and allow to completely dry.
Teacher Tip: Pre-cut the plates so they are ready to go!
Step Two:
Using the hole punch, punch 8 holes across the bottom flat part of the plate. Space the holes out as evenly as possible.
Tip: Make a small x on the paper plate where each hole should be punched.
Step Three:
Cut 8 pieces of yarn into 12 inch-long pieces.
Place the yarn through the hole going from the painted side to the unpainted side. Tie a knot on the unpainted side. Repeat with the rest of the pieces of yarn and punched out holes.
Step Four:
Stick or glue the googly eyes onto the paper plate and draw a mouth.
Display and enjoy your fun octopus craft!
Yay! You did it. What Now?
Hang them from the classroom ceiling, display on the fridge, hang in front of a window, or (my favorite) practice stringing beads with the octopus legs.
Ways to Adapt the Octopus Craft
Easily differentiate this craft so that all kids can be successful and proud of a job well-done!
- Pre-Punched Holes: For younger children or those with fine motor challenges, pre-punch the holes in the paper plate to make stringing the yarn easier.
- Varied Yarn Lengths: Offer different lengths and colors of yarn so children can choose what works best for their skill level and creative preferences.
- Assistive Tools: Provide plastic yarn needles or large beads to help children thread the yarn through the holes if they find it difficult.
- Simplified Painting: For children who might struggle with painting, use large paintbrushes or sponges for easier application and better coverage.
- Use Ribbon or Streamers: Use colorful ribbons or streamers instead of yarn for the tentacles on your paper plate octopus for preschool.
- Make it Sparkle: Add some glitter detail to your octopus using glitter paint, glitter glue, or by making glue designs and sprinkling glitter on them.
- Add Texture: Press bubble wrap in paint and dab it onto your paper plate to create a fun pattern on your octopus.
What’s an octopus?
Much like unicorns, octopi tend to be a bit abstract for kids! Does an eight-legged sea creature actually exist? Have fun teaching kids about octopi by sticking to the facts. Children will be amazed and they will soak up the information like little sea sponges.
Once you’ve got little learners’ attention, take it even further. We have ocean themed counting puzzles for making 10, an ocean animal ice excavation activity, and a beach themed scavenger hunt for preschool! These activities are perfect to pair with your octopus craft, or to create an amazing ocean themed unit that could last all summer!
Five Fascinating Facts about Octopus
1. Eight Arms
Octopuses have eight long arms called tentacles. They use these arms to swim, catch food, and even hug!
2. Super Smart
Octopuses are very smart animals. They can solve puzzles, open jars, and play games!
3. Change Colors
Octopuses can change the color of their skin to blend in with their surroundings. This helps them hide from predators and surprise their prey.
4. Three Hearts
Octopuses have three hearts! Two hearts pump blood to their gills, and one heart pumps blood to the rest of their body.
5. Ink Defense
When they are scared or in danger, octopuses can squirt dark ink into the water. This helps them escape from predators.
Making the Octopus Ocean Craft
If you want a craft project that hits a lot of different developmental skills, this is the one! Painting, punching, and stringing yarn are vital components to making these adorable octopi! But they’re so cute, your kids won’t even realize how hard they’re working!
Developmental benefits of the octopus craft:
Creativity: Transforming a plate into a sea creatures is a great way to allow your child to show off their creative side.
Fine Motor Skills: Using supplies like paint brushes, hole punches, and yarn really keep those hand muscles in shape.
Hand-eye Coordination: Threading the yarn through the holes takes a lot of concentration, perseverance, and small muscle control.
Social Emotional: Any art project is an example for kids of a nice, calming activity that can help regulate emotions.
Following Directions: Projects that require kids to follow step by step directions are great for working on listening and reading comprehension skills.
More Ways to Explore Sea Life
Now that there’s a keen interest in octopuses, why not continue your ocean studies! Learn about more ocean animals with our Ocean Animal Sensory Bottle! Or, use your paper plate octopus in an ocean themed sensory bin for some pretend play fun!
Frequently Asked Questions
These are frequently asked questions about making the octopus paper plate craft:
What kind of paint should I use?
Use washable, non-toxic acrylic or tempera paint that’s safe for children and easy to clean up.
How long should the yarn be for the octopus legs?
Cut the yarn into 8-12 inch lengths. Adjust the length based on the child’s skill level and preference.
Can I use something other than yarn for the legs?
Yes, you can use ribbon, pipe cleaners, or even strips of colored paper to create the octopus legs.
How do I keep the yarn from slipping out of the holes?
Tie a knot at the end of each yarn piece after threading it through the hole, or use a bit of tape to secure it in place.
Octopus Craft for Kids
I hope you loved this adorable octopus craft as much as I do! Leave a comment and let me know what you changed to make it work for your kiddos!
More Paper Plate Activities You’ll Love:
Looking For More Paper Plate Ideas?
What About More Ocean Ideas?
- Ocean, Sand, and Seashell Sensory Bin
- Ocean Animals Ice Excavation Activity
- Ocean Animal Sensory Bottle
- Ocean Theme Calming Sensory Bottle
- Ocean Theme Preschool Lesson Plans
Search All Activities
Looking for more? Find exactly what you need here:
