Paper Plate Fish Craft Inspired by The Rainbow Fish

Make a paper plate fish craft with kids for a fun ocean-themed craft, summer craft, or to make while reading The Rainbow Fish book.

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As part of our Ocean Themed Activities we needed to come up with a book-inspired craft that my kids could do with little help from me so we made a paper plate fish craft and read one of our favorite books, The Rainbow Fish. Then, we gathered craft supplies and started making a wonderful kids crafts. Each paper plate fish turned out so cute, with colorful fish scales, smiley faces, and paper fins. We figured out how to use a toilet paper roll to paint fish scales so our hands stayed relatively clean (oh ya!) and of course, we added sparkly scales to make sure our paper plate fish looked beautiful, just like Rainbow Fish!

Paper Plate Fish Craft Inspired by The Rainbow Fish: a perfect read and craft book activity for kids (preschool, kindergarten, ocean, summer, childrens literature)

The book, Rainbow Fish is a wonderful story that follows the journey of a special fish with sparkly scales, who learns that being the most beautiful is not important when it comes at the cost of hurting others. By sharing, he gains a more valuable trait–friendship. Every time my kids hear the story they say, “That’s nice mommy that he is sharing!” When we are done reading we like to talk about things we can share with others. Speaking of sharing, here is a fun set of Rainbow Fish book printables to add to the fun.

SUGGESTED RAINBOW FISH BOOKS & ACTIVITIES:

Good Night Little Rainbow Fish Children's Book https://amzn.to/4bVzqAw

Rainbow Fish Plush Toy https://amzn.to/4e2KddQ

Rainbow Fish Discovers the Deep Sea Children's Book https://amzn.to/3wVr4dd

Paper Plate Fish Craft

Supplies:

Craft paint
Paintbrush
Circle Sequins-affiliate link
Googly Eye
Glue
Craft paper
Scissors
Toilet paper roll

Directions:

Have your child paint the paper plate blue.

To make the scales cut a toilet paper roll in half lengthwise. The kids can now use it to dip and stamp into paint. I cut our tube in half one more time to make 4 stampers out of each toilet paper roll but you could leave them longer if you want to. My kids have little hands and don’t need much to grab onto.

Paper Plate Fish Craft: an easy painting craft idea for kids using toilet paper rolls to make fish scales (ocean, summer, kids craft)

Have your child dip the cardboard tube into paint and stamp it on their fish to make the Rainbow Fish’s regular scales. I squirted paint into empty plastic lids for the kids to dip into. We used the orange paint to make mouths by squeezing the cardboard tube to make a teardrop shape. Set the paper plate aside to dry.

Have your child glue on a googly eye and some circle sequins for the shiny scales.

Draw fins on the craft paper and have the child cut them out. As another option, kids could always draw their own fins for a more kid perfect touch to their craft.

Glue the fins onto the paper plate and let them dry. When the craft is ready hang them up to enjoy or let kids play with them. My kids took their fish on a swimming adventure around the house and then we read The Rainbow Fish with our fish craft close by.