Easy Paper Plate Octopus Craft for Kids -

Summer craft time is the best! We try and set some time aside each day for some arts and crafts projects. Some days we do pick your own project, and other days we do a more structured activity. This Easy Paper Plate Octopus Craft for Kids is a super cute ocean themed sea animal craft that is perfect for kids of all ages!

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.

Why Is It Important For Kids To Do Art and Craft Activities?

Besides the fact that kids love arts and crafts projects, there are so many other reasons you should do art and craft activities with your child.

Octopus paper plate craft for preschoolers in process photos.

Develop a Child’s Creativity

Arts and crafts projects are a wonderful way to allow your child to show off their creative side.

Fine Motor Skills

Using supplies like scissors, hole punches, and glue bottles is awesome for strengthening fine motor skills.

Hand-eye Coordination

Activities like sprinkling glitter, placing small pieces of confetti, and cutting out shapes from pieces of construction paper helps with hand/eye coordination

Calming Space

Art activities can provide a safe space for children who are feeling upset or frustrated and need to calm down.

Following Directions

Projects that require kids to follow step by step directions are great for working on listening and reading comprehension skills.

More Crafting Inspiration:

Create a full maker space for these awesome crafts!

Keep your craft supplies stocked and these inspirational books and craft kits on hand for that moment when inspiration hits!

Paint by Sticker Kids: Under the Sea: Create 10 Pictures One Sticker at a Time! Sea Glass Crafts: Find, Collect, & Craft More Than 20 Projects Using the Ocean’s Treasures Low-Mess Crafts for Kids: 72 Projects to Create Your Own Magical Worlds Paper Crafts for Kids: 25 Cut-Out Activities for Kids Ages 4-8 Creating Really Awesome Free Things: 100 Seriously Fun, Super Easy Projects for Kids The Kids’ Book of Paper Love: Write. Craft. Play. Share. (Flow) The Easiest Kids’ Crafts Ever: Cute & Colorful Quick-Prep Projects for Busy Families

Materials needed for the Octopus Ocean Craft:

Get the Supplies Here:

Don’t worry about making a special trip to the store. You can get all the supplies for this activity right here.

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

100% Compostable 10 Inch Heavy-Duty Plates [125 Pack] Eco-Friendly Disposable Sugarcane Paper Plates – Brown Unbleached Crayola Portfolio Series 16-Ounce Acrylic Paint, Phthalo Blue Kids Paint Brushes, Anezus 10 Pcs Craft Paint Brushes for Kids Big Washable Toddler Paint Brushes Round and Flat Chubby Preschool Paint Brushes Set for Washable Paint Acrylic Paint Bostitch inLIGHT Reduced Effort One-Hole Punch, One Unit per Package, Assorted Colors, No Color Choice (2401) 700Pcs Wiggle Googly Eyes for Crafts, Owlbbabies Wiggly Eyes Self Adhesive Craft Eyes Sticker Wobbly Eyes with Muticolors and Sizes for DIY Crafts Scrapbooking and Decorations Fiskars 5 Inch Pointed-tip Kids Scissors 3 Pack, Warm Crayola Ultra Clean Washable Markers, Broad Line, 12 Count

Overhead view of the supplies for the Easy Paper Plate Octopus Craft for Kids.

How To Make Octopus With Paper Plate and Yarn:

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING THE OCTOPUS PAPER PLATE CRAFT:

Cut your paper plate in half.

Paint one side of the paper plate (I normally use the white side) with the blue paint. Apply a second coat if needed and allow to completely dry.

Half a plate painted for the ocean themed paper plate craft for kids.

Using the hole punch, punch 8 holes across the bottom flat part of the plate. Space the holes out as evenly as possible.

Cut 8 pieces of yarn into 12 inch long pieces.

A blue painted paper plate half with holes punched in it for the Easy Paper Plate Octopus Craft for Kids.

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.

Stick or glue the googly eyes onto the paper plate and draw a mouth.

Display and enjoy your fun octopus craft!

The finished Easy Paper Plate Octopus Craft for Kids on a polka dot background.

Other Options For This DIY Octopus Craft:

Try Ribbon or Streamers

Use colorful ribbon 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.

Different Sizes

Try creating a smaller paper plate craft octopus by using smaller size plates.

Bubble Wrap Texture

Press bubble wrap in paint and dab it onto your paper plate to create a fun pattern on your octopus.

Pretend Play

Use your paper octopus in an ocean themed sensory bin for some pretend play fun!

Low-Prep

High-Engagement

Low-Prep

Expand your activity library with these amazing resources!

Our Favorite KEYWORD Books/Toys/Games:

We can’t live without these!

Once your child’s creativity is sparked with this fun ocean themed craft, take it a step further and create a full ocean themed unit with these engaging resources:

Inky the Octopus: The Official Story of One Brave Octopus’ Daring Escape (Includes Marine Biology Facts for Fun Early Learning!) Hello, World! Ocean Life How to Hide an Octopus and Other Sea Creatures (Reading Railroad Books) The Octopus Escapes An Octopus Is Amazing (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 2) Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist (Women in Science Books, Marine Biology for Kids, Shark Gifts) Over in the Ocean: In a Coral Reef