Are you and your kids dreaming of summer like I am? I’ve had about enough of winter and I am totally ready for warmer weather! These paper plate tropical fish have bright and vibrant colors and are oh so beautiful! So with spring and summer around the corner, it seemed a fitting time to share this fun paper plate craft your kids will love. A great way to add a nice color pop to their room or even the refrigerator!
Paper Plate Tropical Fish
These cute and cheery paper plate tropical fish will spark your children’s imagination. I’ve included the patterns that you’ll need (pattern 1 and pattern 2) as well as the paint colors that I used, but you can certainly use any colors you want to make your fish your own. So let’s get started!
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.
I’ve certainly done my fair share of paper plate crafts, like this Paper Plate Aquarium, and they always seem to be an exciting thing for kids to create.
There are so many different ideas when it comes to making your own fish, let them have fun and create their own species!
Full printable instructions can be found at the end of this post.
What you need to make paper plate tropical fish:
- 8 miniature paper plates
- brightly colored acrylic paints
- paintbrushes
- 4 large wiggle eyes
- white craft glue
- glue stick
- scissors
Americana paint colors:
- Bright Orange
- Sour Apple (green)
- Turquoise Blue
- Ocean Blue
- Bright Yellow
- Vivid Violet
- Carousel Pink
- Black
- White
Use the patterns to trace the fins and mouths onto paper plates. Then paint the pieces before cutting them out as well as painting full plates for the bodies. When they are dry, you’ll cut those pieces out.
After you assemble the tropical paper plate fish then you can decorate with stripes, polka dots and anything else you like! Hint, polka dots are easy to make by dipping the handle end of a paintbrush into the paint and drawing a circle with it. You can also use the pencil of an eraser or those spouncer sponges you get from the craft store.
I hope you enjoy making these tropical paper plate fish! They’re a great activity that brings out the creativity in kids and adults alike. Have fun!
For more adorable paper plate craft ideas check out…
This post was originally published on this blog on March 4, 2012.
- 8 miniature paper plates
- brightly colored acrylic paints
- paintbrush
- 4 large wiggle eyes
- white craft glue
- glue stick
- scissors
- pattern 1 and pattern 2
- Bright Orange
- Sour Apple (green)
- Turquoise Blue
- Ocean Blue
- Bright Yellow
- Vivid Violet
- Carousel Pink
- Black
- White
- For each fish you will need two paper plates. Paint one paper plate pink, one yellow, the third one green and the fourth one orange. While those are drying, trace the patterns onto the other paper plates. Paint the pattern pieces the appropriate colors and let dry.
- Cut the painted fish pieces out, you should be able to see your pencil lines through the paint.
- Use a glue stick to attach the fish pieces to the appropriate plates, gluing the pieces to the back.
- Use paint to add stripes or polka dots, decorate them however you like. Use white craft glue to attach wiggle eye.
- Hang on your child’s bedroom wall for an instant no maintenance aquarium!
Amanda Formaro
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What wonderful projects for kids! Also, the pictures are really great. Thanks for sharing.
They are really great Amanda! Thank you from Greece <3 Beautiful ideas!