Paper Plate Jellyfish Craft for Kids
This paper plate jellyfish craft is one of the most fun ocean crafts for kids! A painted paper plate head gets polka-dotted tentacles and curly chenille stem streamers, so it looks like it's floating through the water.
Jump to Supplies Steps Printable More crafts
Materials for This Paper Plate Jellyfish Craft
Print-ready templates and step-by-step instructions.
Less prep, more crafting.
How to Make a Paper Plate Jellyfish Craft
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
Lay out everything from the list above ahead of time, it makes the actual crafting go a lot smoother.
Step 2: Paint the Plate
Paint the outside of the plate aqua and let it dry, adding a second coat if needed.
Step 3: Cut the Head
Print the jellyfish patterns, trace the head shape onto the dry plate, and cut it out.
Step 4: Cut the Tentacles
Trace and cut three large and two small tentacles from light purple cardstock, and two large and two small tentacles from pink cardstock.
Step 5: Stamp Polka Dots on the Tentacles
Dip the eraser end of a pencil into aqua paint and stamp polka dots randomly across all the tentacles, then let dry.
Step 6: Add the Eyes
Add the wiggle eyes to the jellyfish's face.
Step 7: Stamp On Cheeks
Dab pink paint onto the sponge and stamp cheeks on either side of the face, then let dry.
Step 8: Draw the Smile
Draw a smile from cheek to cheek with the black marker.
Step 9: Coil the Chenille Streamers
Wrap the pink and purple chenille stems around a pencil to coil them, then slide them off and stretch gently to loosen the coils into wavy streamers, this coiling trick is oddly fun to watch, let your kid do the stretching themselves.
Step 10: Attach the Streamers
Flip the plate over and glue the coiled streamers along the bottom edge.
Step 11: Attach the Tentacles
Arrange and glue the large tentacles across the bottom front, then add the small tentacles to the outer edges to finish.
All done!
Your paper plate jellyfish is ready to float!
We'd love to see yours! Snap a photo and share it in the comments.
Grab the Printable
Skip the prep and grab the print-ready templates for this craft from my shop.
More Ocean Crafts Your Kids Will Love
See all Ocean Crafts for Kids →
Please Share This Paper Plate Jellyfish Craft
The floating effect is worth showing off, share this one with a friend planning an ocean unit.
