Paper mâché is a timeless craft that many children remember fondly. This simple project creates a charming paper mâché fish that’s perfect for young ocean explorers and kids who love under-the-sea themes. It’s a little messy, but easy to make with adult supervision, and children can customize the paint and details however they like.
Below is a straightforward, kid-friendly tutorial that uses common household supplies to make a paper mâché fish.
Supplies Needed
- Old newspaper or magazines
- Masking tape
- Flour
- Water
- Large bowl
- Paint in desired colors
- Paint brush
Paper Mâché Fish Tutorial
You can scale this project to any size. Before you begin, protect your workspace—paper mâché can be messy. Lay down newspaper or a disposable tablecloth and place a tray underneath to catch drips.
- Form an egg-shaped body by crumpling newspaper into a ball and wrapping it completely with masking tape to hold the shape.
- Create fins and a tail from a cereal box or other thin cardboard and attach them with masking tape.
- Tear newspaper or magazine pages into narrow strips and set them aside.
- Mix a simple paste: two parts water to one part flour in a large bowl. Stir until smooth.
- If you prefer a thicker paste, warm it in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between intervals.
- Dip a paper strip into the paste, wipe off excess on the bowl edge, and smooth the strip onto the fish form. Overlap strips and cover the entire form.
- Allow the paper mâché to dry thoroughly. Drying can take anywhere from 6 to 24 hours depending on the thickness and size of the project.
- Once dry, paint the fish in your chosen colors and add any finishing details.
How To Paint Your Paper Mâché Fish
For this project we painted the fish to resemble a clownfish, but you can choose any color scheme or pattern. Try bright stripes, polka dots, or metallic paints for a fun effect. If you want more texture, add a second layer of paper mâché or use tissue paper for scales before painting.
More Under-the-Sea Craft Ideas
This fish is just one of many ocean-themed crafts you can make with children. Try creating whales, shells, or sea creatures in different shapes and sizes. These projects are great for group activities, classroom lessons, or rainy-day creativity.
