This Printable Paper Jellyfish Craft for Kids is the perfect craft for Summer, where all things under the sea and ocean animals becomes hot topic within the classroom.
This is such a fun and engaging craft, and kids will love how their jellyfish literally POP from the page and swim!
The swimming Jellyfish are easy to make, with simple shapes to encourage even the smallest children to have a go at cutting for themselves.
The process of tearing, sticking, folding and cutting is great for exercising fine motor skills, although they may need some assistance with a few of the elements.
The craft can also be adapted for children of all ages and for teachers who may like to simplify the craft for the classroom. For example, my five year old daughter decided to stick the jellyfish directly to the under the sea backdrop and replaced the paper eyes with googly eyes.
Materials for Printable Paper Jellyfish Craft for Kids:
White & Blue Card Stock
Blue & Yellow Paper
Paint (watercolours or ready-mix)
Yarn
Ribbon
Scissors
Glue Stick
Printable Jellyfish Template:
Join the Arty Crafty Kids members area to download the Swimming Jellyfish Template.
Already a member? Sign in here and search Swimming Jellyfish!
To create a complete ocean scene, download (from the members area) some fishy friends for the Jellyfish!
Check out the Video Tutorial:
How to Make 3D Swimming Jellyfish:
Step 1:
Download and print the Swimming Jellyfish Template from the Arty Crafty Kids club.
Select ‘fit to page’ and print the template onto white card stock.
NB: Refer to your printer settings for a recommend weight. Most printers like the card stock to weigh under 160 gsm.
Step 2:
Paint and cut out the jellyfish elements.
Watercolour paint dries quickly and often produces vibrant colours (this of course depends on the brand).
However, if you don’t have any watercolour paint to hand, try regular ready-mix or simply colour in the template with pens or crayons.
Alternatively, simply print the template onto coloured card and trace the seaweed onto green paper.
The Under the Sea Background
Step 1:
Tear a sheet of light blue paper into strips.
Align the straight edges and glue a few strips to the dark blue card stock.
The contrast of blue paper creates an effective under the sea backdrop for our swimming jellyfish.
Step 2:
Complete the under the sea background with some wavy sand (yellow paper) and the seaweed.
Let’s Make the Swimming Jellyfish!
Step 1:
Glue the eyes to the jellyfish bodies.
Step 2:
Apply a layer of glue along the wavy jellyfish bottoms.
Add a row of (pre-cut) ribbon and yarn.
The process of cutting and sticking in a line is great for hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills!
The Accordion Fold
Step 3:
Take the two strips and position them in a 90° angle as shown above. Glue the connecting papers together.
Fold the bottom strip over the top and crease the fold along the edge. This will make the accordion fold tight!
Step 4:
Continue this process until all the is paper has been folded.
Seal the ends with glue.
Step 5:
Attach one of the end of folded paper to any where on the under the sea backdrop.
Step 10:
Add a dab of glue to the top of the accordion fold and place the jellyfish on top, giving it a push to ensure it’s secure.
The Printable Paper Jellyfish craft for kids is now complete!
I hope your Arty Crafty Kids enjoy the process of making their swimming jellyfish.
Here at Arty Crafty Kids we love our under the sea crafts and have a growing library of colourful ocean animals to make.
For More ocean animal fun, check out these popular posts:
22 Awesome Under the Sea Crafts for Kids!
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