Does your child love learning about the ocean? If you love the book, you’ll love this Rainbow fish paper plate craft. Not only is this an easy project, but it also encourages kids to get creative all while learning more about animals that live in the sea.

If you like this activity, here’s a list of more Fun Ocean Activities for Kids!

Plus, it’s great for imaginative playtime after the activity is finished! All you need are some paper plates, paint, your good ol’ trusty scissors, and a few more simple crafting supplies.

Follow the step-by-step tutorial below on how to make these awesome rainbow fish paper plates. Once they finish their masterpiece, your little ones can proudly show off what they made with their friends or family or simply hang it on the wall for a splash of color in any room.

Scroll to the bottom to enter the State History giveaway with a value of $80.

This post may contain affiliate links meaning I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Read my disclosure policy here.

Fun Facts About Rainbow Fish

Here are some fun facts about rainbow fish that your kids can learn and enjoy:

Rainbow fish come in a variety of colors, from vibrant blues and reds to striking oranges.
Rainbow fish use their bright colors as a defense mechanism to ward off predators.
In the wild, rainbow fish live in schools and seek out smaller prey such as insects, larvae, and small crustaceans.
There are numerous species of rainbow fish, including the banded rainbowfish and neon rainbowfish.

The Rainbow fish is so special that a book is written about them by author Marcus Pfister. It is a lovely and heartwarming story about learning to share with others and how the act of sharing creates happiness not just for yourself but for others.

Isn’t it fun to share and teach the moral lesson of this story to your kids while enjoying the fun activity of crafting paper plate rainbow fish?

Recommended Ocean Animal Books

Take a look at these well-loved books about other ocean animals, not just the Rainbow fish! Little steps to familiarizing your child with the world of our sea creature friends.

Big Book of the Blue (The Big Book Series)Ocean Animals for Kids: A Junior Scientist’s Guide to Whales, Sharks, and Other Marine Life Save the Ocean (Save the Earth)Ultimate Oceanpedia: The Most Complete Ocean Reference Ever (National Geographic Kids)The Rainbow Fish The Fascinating Ocean Book for Kids: 500 Incredible Facts! (Fascinating Facts)

Recommended Ocean Activity Kits

Check out these kid-friendly ocean activity kits for your child! Help your kids release their creativity while introducing other fun-loving ocean animals with the help of these fun activities.

WATINC 6Pcs Ocean Wooden Sticks Craft Under The Sea DIY Art Crafts Kit for Kids Creativity for Kids Make Your Own Water Globes – Under the Sea Snow Globes Gooidea 3-Pack Make A Wind Chime Kits- Arts and Crafts for Kids Craft Your Own Fish Characters Kit FUNZBO Kids Crafts and Arts Set Painting Kit Ocean Animals Dig Kit – Party Favors for Kids

Rainbow Fish Paper Plate Craft Supplies

These materials are easy to find and almost all can be found in your craft supplies. Be sure to check out your pantry first for some old aluminum foils and paper plate leftovers from your kid’s last birthday party before heading to the craft store.

Colored papers
Paper plate
Paintbrush
Blue acrylic paint
Scissors
Glue
Aluminum foil
Googly fish eye

Materials for the Rainbow fish paper plate craft

How To Make a Paper Plate Rainbow Fish

Just like the real rainbow fish, your paper plate rainbow fish has different body parts. You can create oval-shaped pieces out of your paper plates for your rainbow fish’s body and tail, and smaller pieces for your fish’s fins.

First step in creating rainbow fish paper plate craft

Make your rainbow fish’s color pop out more! Paint your paper plate cutouts with blue acrylic paint to get the desired effect.

Second step in creating rainbow fish paper plate craft

The scales are what’s giving your rainbow fish so much color, make sure to follow the suggested instructions for a more delightful outcome. You can then create small scales out of these colorful materials – make your rainbow fish stand out!

Third step in creating rainbow fish paper plate craft

Your rainbow fish will look more lively once you attach a googly eye and a small piece of colored paper for its mouth and eyes. Find the jolliest eye you can get to make your rainbow fish appear happy!

Final product in creating Rainbow fish paper plate craft

Hooray! Your paper plate Rainbow fish is now done! Great job!

Tips

Make your rainbow fish as colorful as you like. Your kid’s imagination is the limit!
Maximize the use of your supplies list. It’s fun to create multiple rainbow fish paper plates with a variety of colors and sizes.
Remind your children to be careful when using a pair of scissors.

Rainbow Fish Paper Plate Craft

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Active Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Enjoy doing this fun crafting activity with your homeschooler! Here is an easy-to-follow tutorial in helping your kid with this Rainbow fish paper plate craft.

Materials

Colored papers (purple, green, pink, sky blue, red, orange)
Paper plate
Paintbrush for kids
Blue acrylic paint
Scissors
Glue
Aluminum foil
Googly fish eye

Instructions

Create an oval shape by cutting both ends of the paper plate. This will be the body of your fish.
Use one of the moon-shaped scrap as your fish’s tail. Attach it at the bottom of the paper plate using a glue.
Cut smaller pieces for the fins using the remaining moon-shaped piece or another paper plate.
Use a paint brush and your blue acrylic paint to color the pieces.
Cut out small pieces for the scales using colored papers and aluminum foil. Paste them alternately by their colors using a glue to make your fish’s scales as colorful as the real-life rainbow fish!
Attach a googly Rainbow fish eye, and make a piece for your fish’s mouth.

Notes

This activity includes the use of scissors, while crafting is so much fun, always be extra careful when using sharp objects.

Recommended Products

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Crafting with your kids is not all about having fun, it encourages creativity by creating an outlet for your little ones! It also improves concentration and planning, and best of all, you get to spend the best time with your kids, making it a rewarding moment.

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