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Make this fun and easy Clothespin Shark Craft using our free printable template! Kids will love creating a chomping shark that "eats" a fish—perfect for ocean themes and Shark Week fun.
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Chomping Shark Clothespin Craft for Kids with Free Printable Template

Kids will love creating a chomping shark that "eats" a fish—perfect for ocean themes and Shark Week fun.
Total Time15 minutes
Keyword: Craft, Summer

Materials

  • Clothespins (wooden spring-type)
  • Printed shark craft template (free download)
  • Craft paper
  • Crayons, markers, or colored pencils (if using white paper)
  • Black felt tip marker
  • Scissors
  • Glue stick or craft glue

Instructions

  • Step 1: Print the Template
    Grab your free printable shark craft template and print it on colored craft paper or print it on white paper for kids to use art supplies to color in themselves.
  • Step 2: Prepare the Template
    Decorate the template pieces then use scissors to carefully cut out the top and bottom halves of the shark’s body, and the small fish piece that will go inside the mouth.
  • Step 3: Glue the Sharks Teeth
    Glue the sharks teeth to the top half of the body, inside it's mouth. It looks best if glued to the back of the template and not the front, but either way will work.
  • Step 4: Add the Clothespin
    Close the clothespin and set it down on it's side. Add glue to the side of the clothespin. Line up the top and bottom halves of the shark's body and gently glue the shark body onto the clothespin. Make sure the tip of the sharks mouth is at the opening side of the clothespin. This will make it so the shark can open its mouth.
  • Step 5: Add the Fish Inside
    Open the clothespin and glue the fish inside its mouth. Line it up so it looks like the shark is about to take a big chomp! when the clothespin closes. I found it worked best when we glued part of the fish's tail to the backside, bottom part of the sharks mouth.
  • Optional:
    Use a black felt tip marker to draw on details like an eye and gills. Now your shark is ready to snack while kids play with them.

Notes

🦈 What to Do with Your Chomping Shark Craft

  1. Use as a Puppet for Shark-Themed Songs
    Sing "Baby Shark" or "Slippery Fish" (This is one of our favorite songs about the food chain!!!) and have your clothespin shark act out the chomping motions!
  2. Incorporate into a Science Lesson
    Use it during a lesson about predators, food chains, or ocean animals—great visual for young learners.
  3. Create a Shark Puppet Show
    Make a few sharks and fish, and have kids put on a show. Add a paper ocean backdrop for extra fun!
  4. Fine Motor Practice
    Encourage kids to “feed” the shark by picking up small paper fish or pom-poms and placing them in the mouth—great for strengthening hand muscles.
  5. Make It a Game Piece
    Create a simple game where kids draw cards with fish on them, and their shark "eats" the right one.
  6. Give It as a Gift
    Kids can write a little note and give their shark to a friend, sibling, or grandparent as a fun keepsake.