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.
Another fun fish project, our seashell fish, are perfect to make after a trip to the beach!
Paper Plate Tropical Fish
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 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!
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! These paper plate tropical fish are a great way to add a nice color pop to your kids room or even the refrigerator!
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:
I’ve listed the individual exact colors I used below. There’s also a Craftsmart sample pack here which is a good deal and great paint for kids!
- 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!
Another fun fish craft – cardboard tube school of fish.
For more adorable paper plate craft ideas check out the links below or find all of our kids crafts here!
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- Paper Plate Ladybug
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- Paper Plate Sea Crab
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- Paper Plate Rabbit
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- Watermelon Suncatchers
Check out all of my paper plate crafts!
Paper Plate Tropical Fish
Supplies
Supplies:
Americana paint colors:
- Bright Orange
- Sour Apple green
- Turquoise Blue
- Ocean Blue
- Bright Yellow
- Vivid Violet
- Carousel Pink
- Black
- White
Instructions
- 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!
Expert Tips & FAQs
If you prefer to hang these from the ceiling there are a few adjustments that need to be made. You could hang them as constructed above, but the back of your fish won’t be pretty, it will be unpainted plate with glued on pieces. When hanging from the ceiling these fish will undoubtedly twirl, so to make them visually pleasing on both sides make the following adjustments: For each fish body paint TWO plates instead of one and paint the backsides of the plates instead of the front Paint both side of all the fins, tails and lips. You will need TWO wiggle eyes for each fish instead of one. Glue the fins and tails to one of the plates (the unpainted side), and add a long piece of string. Sandwich the two painted plates together, painted sides facing outward.
This post was originally published on this blog on March 4, 2012.
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Paper Plate Hub says
My kids love your all paper plate crafts. After taking your inspiration I have created blog for crafts. Thanks and keep posting such a nice blogs!!
Linda Drummond says
These projects for kids are great! Thank you for sharing with all of us.
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks Linda, so glad you like them! :)
Craft Zebra says
What wonderful projects for kids! Also, the pictures are really great. Thanks for sharing.
Maria giannimara says
They are really great Amanda! Thank you from Greece <3 Beautiful ideas!
Sherri Osborn says
I love this idea. My granddaughter is going through a Nemo faze right now so I think I will gather up the supplies so she can make herself a Nemo plate.
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks Sherri, that would be so cute!
Linda Danial says
those are really cute
Dixie Lee says
I want to try to use this idea as a mobile with my students during story hour. My students, 1st – 4th grades, do injoy paint crafts.
Amanda says
That’s a great idea, though I would decorate both sides then :)
Kay says
This is so cute. We’re in the process of planning my daughters birthday party and as her and her friends are really creative we’ve been looking for fun crafts for them to do and this would be perfect. We can also plan a beach/sea theme around it too!
Amanda says
How fun! Hoe you enjoy making them!
Jennifer says
those are really cute Amanda!
Maria says
So fun!
Jill says
Love this! We have our Kitchen Fun and Crafty Friday link party going on now and would love for you to stop by and share this…http://kitchenfunwithmy3sons.blogspot.com/2012/03/kitchen-fun-and-crafty-friday-link.html
Irina says
What a lovely idea, thank you…will definitely try it out in the summer.
I have pinned it.
Cookie 17 says
these are so cute great job,,,,,………….
JDaniel4's Mom says
These make me long for summer!
Virginia says
I’m 9 yrs old and I think these fish are so cool. I can’t wait to make them!