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This Fork Painted Puffer Fish Craft is a simple ocean craft idea that all ages can have fun with! Perfect for a summer day craft.
Teaching kids fun new ways to create art is never a bad idea! This Fork Painted Puffer Fish Craft is a simple ocean craft idea that all ages can have fun with!
Who knew that using a fork would have fun options like this? This activity is great for working on fine motor skills and also teaching kids to be creative with their art.
While this activity can easily be done during any time of the year, this would be super fun to do during Earth Day or the summer months. For an Earth Day activity, have the kids recycle and reuse the plastic fork by having them eat with it and then use it for painting! This will help them understand that they can use a fork (or other art objects) in fun and new ways.
If you are looking for a fun project that you can do quickly with the kids, this is the one! Great for a unique activity or a creative activity for a lazy summer day.
Fork Painted Puffer Fish Craft – Materials
- White or light-colored cardstock
- Fork
- Acrylic paint – assorted colors
- Small googly eyes
How to Make a Puffer Fish With Paint
Step One: Gather the supplies
Before you get started, make sure that you gather the supplies needed.
Step Two: Add paint
Let the kids pour a big amount of paint on the paper plate.
Step Three: Use the fork
Dip the fork into a color of paint, then press it onto the cardstock. Continue doing this so that the paint is in a circular pattern.
Once done with that pufferfish color, clean the fork and then repeat using another color. Press that along the sides of the fish to make the fins.
Step Four: Add eyes
Add the googly eyes onto the pufferfish. Let the paint dry.
Variations for fork painting
Don’t forget that there are always different ways to be creative! All it takes is some fun thoughts and stepping aside to let the kids get to work.
First, change the colors of the paint. Who says that puffer fish can’t be red and blue or green and yellow? This will give the kids the freedom to make choices and then be confident in those choices.
Secondly, challenge the kids to see if there are any other fun objects that they can use to make a puffer fish. Forks work great, but you could also use strokes of a paintbrush, pipe cleaners, or anything else that is long and skinny.
How many puffer fish can I make on one paper?
This all just depends on how big the puffer fish are. If they’re symmetrical in size, two should fit onto each page. If they’re not symmetrical, then you may have one big one or many little small ones.
Choose a variety of colors
Remember that when the kids paint, this is a great chance to let them really see and learn about colors, too. Have them talk about the different colors and even work on identifying what two colors mixed together will be.
Since the primary colors are red, yellow, and blue, this is a great way to discuss what primary colors are and why they’re so important when people are creative.
You can then extend that topic of conversation by having the kids identify those colors around the house or even go for a walk and identify the colors as well. There are always ways that you can take one learning lesson and stretch it to be something else.
Add texture
Using the tines of the fork is a fun way to make a fish fast, but don’t miss out on the chance to teach the kids about textures, too. Pressing the tines down flatly on the paper creates the fish, but what happens when you use the tines to drag through a bunch of paint?
This is a fun way to make some algae in the ocean, some waves in the water, or a trail of food that the puffer fish are trying to eat.
Change the color of paper
Using white cardstock is a great way to add a bunch of fun colors, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t use colored paper. You can easily use blue paper and make the fish look like they are in the water.
Or, work on having the kids use different shades of blue and white to paint the paper first, then add the puffer fish. This is a fun way to work on shading and transitioning colors to work on their painting skills.
Ideas for What to Do with Your Finished Fork Painted Puffer Fish Craft
Hang it up
Make space on the wall, the fridge, or in a frame – and hang it up once it has dried! This is a fun way to show the kids that you appreciate their artwork and are proud to show it off!
Send it to friends
If you have someone in your friend’s circle or family group that would enjoy this craft, send it to them in the mail once it’s dry. Everyone loves getting something unique and fun in their mailbox, and this would definitely qualify as that!
Takeaway
As you can see, this puffer fish craft is a great activity for kids of all ages. You can easily make this with minimal planning and provide hours of great fun.
The biggest thing to remember is to have the kids be excited and ready to paint! As soon as they see that they’ll get to control the activity, they’re going to have a blast with the process and be ready to start!
More fun crafts for kids
- How to Make a Cute Lion Leaf Craft
- Cute Cardboard Penguin Craft
- How To Make a Santa Popsicle Stick Craft
- 50 Best Kitchen Crafts For Kids: Adorable And Fun Ideas For The Whole Family
Fork Painted Puffer Fish Craft
Materials
- White or light colored cardstock
- Fork
- Acrylic paint - assorted colors
- Small googly eyes
Instructions
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