This fork-painted puffer fish paper plate craft is a low-prep project that’s super cute and filled with fun. With just a few supplies, your kids will have a blast as they work on fine motor skills and creativity.
I used this frugal craft with my preschoolers and early learners for all sorts of learning fun. We enjoyed it as part of our Letter F and Letter P themes, as well as for a popular movie. It’s also fantastic for including in ocean or sea life units.
I’m sharing step-by-step instructions helpful tips and creative ways to use this craft. Let’s make a splash with this hands-on activity!
Puffer Fish Project for A Bunch of Learning Fun
Looking for a budget-friendly way to enjoy a screen-free activity that your kids will love? Maybe you’re planning Letter of the Week activities and need something cute for “Ff” or “Pp”? Perhaps you have an ocean theme coming up and want a cute craft to use for decorations and more?
Well, I think you’re really going to love this fork-painted puffer fish paper plate craft!
As I was updating our Preschool Enchantment unit studies and thinking of even more amazing crafts and resources to share, I took a little walk down memory lane. I couldn’t help but think back to all the fun that my boys and I had during our Letter of the Week activities, especially during homeschool preschool circle time using our Preschool Power Board.
One of my favorite memories? This adorable little puffer fish paper plate craft!
I had to smile when I jotted it down. My older boys loved the movie Finding Nemo when they were younger and thought the puffer fish character (Bloat) was just the funniest thing. This simple craft gave us the perfect chance to talk about the Letter F, Letter P, and ocean creatures AND get creative while working on fine motor skills.
I’ve found over the years that when my boys had a character, story, or hands-on project that they could relate to, the learning just clicked. It was more fun, more memorable, and way more effective. I hope that your kids (and you) enjoy this craft, too!
Suggested Supplies for This Puffer Fish Craft
WooHoo! You only need a few materials to make this craft for kids. And you probably already have all of them (which makes it even better). For this craft featuring a puffer fish, you’ll want to gather:
- Paper plate
- Fork (plastic or metal)
- Paint (any color you like)
- Construction paper (matching your paint color)
- Glue (I prefer glue sticks, especially with young learners)
- Black marker or crayon
- Scissors
Also, I recommend that you do this project on a clean surface that has a protective layer (like a plastic table cloth or tray) just to make sure paint doesn’t get on anything important.
How to Make Your Puffer Fish Paper Plate Craft
Paint the Plate with a Fork:
Pour paint onto a tray or plate. Dip the fork into the paint and drag it across the paper plate. Keep adding fork streaks all over the plate until it’s covered in fun spiky texture. Let the paint dry completely.
Add the Fins:
While the plate dries, cut out two fins from construction paper in the same color as your paint. Use a black marker or crayon to draw lines on the fins for detail. Once the paint is dry, glue the fins to the sides of the paper plate.
Add Face:
Draw two eyes and a mouth right on the plate, or glue on googly eyes if you have them!
Tips & Ideas for Using This Fork-Painted Puffer Fish Craft
This craft is simple and can be used in a variety of ways. Here are some things to try as you work on this project and when it’s complete:
- Take a Break and Move!: As the paint dries on your puffer fish paper plate craft, I recommend either making the paper fins or getting up and moving around a bit. I found it super helpful to give my boys plenty of time to shake their sillies out when working on a project like this. You can use our free printable activity cubes (with fun movement prompts, like our Winnie the Pooh, Dr. Seuss, and Super Mario cootie catcher).
- Talk About Textures and Tools: Using a fork instead of a paintbrush gives kids a chance to experiment with textures and try a new tool. Chat about what other tools you could use to make this craft. Maybe your students want to try cotton balls, pom poms, or potato masher.
- Pair with Ocean-Themed Books: Read a book like The Rainbow Fish, How to Hug a Puffer Fish, or The Pout-Pout Fish before or after the activity.
- Create a Display or Bulletin Board: Make several puffer fish (whether you’re working in a group or at home). Place all your puffer fish crafts together on a wall or board for a DIY underwater-themed display.
FAQs About This Puffer Fish Paper Plate Craft
This craft is perfect for preschoolers and early elementary kids. Older students can absolutely join in and add their own creative touches!
Nope! Just basic washable paint, a plastic fork, a paper plate, and construction paper or cardstock for the fins. You probably already have most of it on hand!
No worries! Use any color your child loves. Blue, pink, yellow – you can even make it a rainbow puffer fish!
Add a Splash of Fun to Learning and More!
This fork-painted puffer fish paper plate craft is such an easy way to add hands-on learning to your homeschool preschool (or classroom or storytime!). It’s a fantastic way to sneak in learning while having a blast.
Want more fun just like this? Give our Preschool Enchantment unit study program a try with this free Little Red Riding Hood unit. You’ll get a sneak peek at how easy and fun your homeschool preschool time can be!
Do you have any questions about this paper plate puffer fish craft? And what ideas do you have for using with your kids? Please share in the comments area below! I’d love to hear from you 😊
