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Craft Tutorials | Crafts for Kids | Beach Crafts for Kids | Cardboard Tube Jellyfish
Beach Crafts for Kids

Cardboard Tube Jellyfish

Author by Amanda Davis on July 7, 2016 Updated on July 8, 2019

5 from 6 votes
Turn an ordinary cardboard roll into this adorable cardboard tube jellyfish! A fun ocean themed kid's craft that's perfect for summer.
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cardboard tube jellyfish pin image

 

With summer here and the Dory movie in theaters, I thought some more beach crafts for kids would be fun. That’s why this cardboard tube jellyfish came to be, isn’t he the cutest?? It’s as easy as recycling a cardboard tube and using a foam ball.

painted cardboard tube jellyfish craft

Cardboard Tube Jellyfish

I’ve always loved the animals of the sea, and jellyfish crafts are just one of the things I’ve made when inspired by ocean life.

Cardboard tube jellyfish hanging

Education is fun

There’s something so mysterious about jellyfish, and this cardboard tube jellyfish is a fun way to discuss that with your kids while they are creating. Make it a fun lesson on sea life while they are getting creative!

square image of jellyfish craft

There are affiliate links in this post. That means if you buy something from that link, I will earn a small commission, but it won’t cost you anything additional.

NOTE: A PRINTABLE VERSION OF THIS CRAFT IS AVAILABLE AT THE END

To make this cardboard tube jellyfish you will need:

  • 3-inch Styrofoam ball
  • Cardboard tube (toilet paper roll or half of a paper towel roll)
  • Acrylic craft paint: light blue, ivory/cream, light green
  • 2 googly eyes
  • Pipe cleaner
  • scissors
  • Paintbrush
  • Craft knife
  • Styrofoam cutter or a sharp knife (parents should handle)
  • Craft glue

Start off by cutting the Styrofoam ball in half. You can save one of the halves for another project. You only need one of them for this craft. Paint one half of the ball with light blue paint and allow it to dry.

Cut the styrofoam ball in half, then paint

Wear a smock when painting

Paint the inside of the cardboard tube first. You can use any color for the inside, I chose ivory. when that is dry, paint stripes on the outside of the cardboard tube using all three colors.

paint the cardboard tube

When everything is dry, turn the foam ball upside down with the flat side facing up. Place the cardboard tube in the center of the flat side and “draw” around the tube with a craft knife. Remove the tube temporarily. Use the craft knife, or even a pencil, to widen the circle you just created. When it’s wide enough, insert the cardboard tube into it, fitting it snugly.

Inserting the cardboard tube into styrofoam ball

Get a grown up help with sharp stuff

Use scissors to cut slits up the length of the tube. Bend the tentacles of the jellyfish by pushing the ends of the tube into your palm. Cut a piece of chenille stem about 4-inches long. Bend it in half to create a loop and twist the open ends together. Insert those twisted ends into the top of the jellyfish’s head to make a hanger. Glue the googly eyes on the front of the half-ball.

How to make the cardboard tube jellyfish

The only thing left to do is hang your adorable cardboard tube jellyfish somewhere that everyone will see it!

green and blue jellyfish made out of a cardboard tube and styrofoam ball

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE PRINTABLE VERSION OF THIS CRAFT

More jellyfish crafts you might like:

If you like recycling, these egg carton jellyfish are right up your alley and are oh so cute!

Egg Carton Crafts: Colorful Jellyfish by Amanda Formaro of Crafts by Amanda

Need to use the other half of that Styrofoam ball? Try these rainbow jellyfish on for size!

jellyfish-craft-print

Looking for a teen project or a craft for adults? This seashell jellyfish on canvas is a great home decor project!

Pretty jellyfish made with a seashell and gorgeous beads, I love this!

Want even more free craft ideas? Be sure to join my newsletter for FREE and craft ideas sent to your inbox every week.

Print Project
5 from 6 votes

Cardboard Tube Jellyfish

Turn an ordinary cardboard roll into this adorable cardboard tube jellyfish! A fun ocean themed kid's craft that's perfect for summer.
Author: Amanda Formaro

Supplies

  • 3- inch Styrofoam ball
  • Cardboard tube toilet paper roll or half of a paper towel roll
  • Acrylic craft paint: light blue ivory/cream, light green
  • 2 googly eyes
  • Pipe cleaner
  • scissors
  • Paintbrush
  • Craft knife
  • Styrofoam cutter or a sharp knife parents should handle
  • Craft glue

Instructions

  • Start off by cutting the Styrofoam ball in half. You can save one of the halves for another project. You only need one of them for this craft. Paint one half of the ball with light blue paint and allow it to dry.
  • Paint the inside of the cardboard tube first. You can use any color for the inside, I chose ivory. when that is dry, paint stripes on the outside of the cardboard tube using all three colors.
  • When everything is dry, turn the foam ball upside down with the flat side facing up. Place the cardboard tube in the center of the flat side and "draw" around the tube with a craft knife. Remove the tube temporarily. Use the craft knife, or even a pencil, to widen the circle you just created. When it's wide enough, insert the cardboard tube into it, fitting it snugly.
  • Use scissors to cut slits up the length of the tube. Bend the tentacles of the jellyfish by pushing the ends of the tube into your palm. Cut a piece of chenille stem about 4-inches long. Bend it in half to create a loop and twist the open ends together. Insert those twisted ends into the top of the jellyfish's head to make a hanger. Glue the googly eyes on the front of the half-ball.
  • Author
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Amanda Davis
Amanda Davis is the crafty, entrepreneurial mother of four children. She loves to bake, cook, make kid's crafts and create decorative items for her home. She is a crafting expert and guru in the kitchen and has appeared online and in print publications many times over the years.
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Filed Under: Animal Crafts for Kids, Beach Crafts for Kids, Cardboard Tube Crafts for Kids, Easy Crafts for Kids, Recycled Crafts for Kids, Summer Crafts Tagged With: beach, cardboard tube, cardboard tubes, foam, jellyfish, kid's craft, kid's crafts, ocean, recycle, recycle crafts, recycled, recycled crafts

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Comments

  1. Sharon says

    July 18, 2016 at 3:36 pm

    Cute idea!

    Reply
  2. Kids Crafts by Three Sisters says

    July 12, 2016 at 5:40 pm

    Totally adorable!

    Reply
5 from 6 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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