Fish Aquarium

Since we’re learning about things that live in the ocean this week we made a fish aquarium today.  We are pretending that we caught some fish in the ocean and we are keeping them as pets in our aquarium.

Here’s what you’ll need: 2 paper plates, construction paper in various colors, tissue paper- green and blue, glue, wiggly eyes and some clear plastic wrap.  Also- not pictured- you’ll need tape and adult scissors.

We used tissue paper to make the plate blue- but if you have a blue paper plate that would be easier.  I would have preferred to have painted the plate blue, but since we are in transition from one house to the next right now our paint is somewhere in my parents garage.  So, we used tissue paper.

While your child is busy gluing the tissue paper on (or painting the plate) cut out the center of the 2nd paper plate.  Also cut out some little circles to decorate this paper plate.  Then have your child glue those circles on the plate with the missing center.

While your child glues the circles on, cut out some seaweed and some fish.  I also tore up some tissue paper to be used  for seaweed.  Normally I would have Hailey tear the tissue paper up (very good for those little muscles in the fingers), but her hands were all covered in glue from the previous steps, so I just did it for her.

Put everything together.  We scrunched up the tissue paper to look like seaweed at the bottom and glued the fish on.  I had actually planned to add some seashells, but could not find my collection.

Stretch a piece of clear plastic wrap onto the back of the plate with the center cut out.  Tape it in place.  This was the hardest step- once I finally got it stretched nice and tight, Hailey hit it with her hand and it came undone.

Use the piece you cut out of the middle of the one plate to make a stand on the back of the aquarium.

Our finished fish aquarium.

Paper Plate Jellyfish

This week our theme is going to be the Ocean.  We started out by making a letter O Octopus yesterday.  Today we made a cute Jellyfish.

Here is what you’ll need: paper plate, construction paper, yarn, tissue paper, crayons, wiggly eyes and glue.

Cut the paper plate on one side to look like the bottom of a jellyfish.  Then have your child color the plate.

While your child is busy coloring, cut out some circles, strips of tissue paper and pieces of yarn.

Glue some spots onto your jellyfish.

Turn the plate over and glue the yarn and tissue paper onto the back to represent the tentacles.

The finished jellyfish.

Letter of the Week- Letter O

Our letter this week is the letter O and we made a fun Octopus.

Here’s what you’ll need: paper with a large letter O, 8 strips of tissue paper for the arms, 2 wiggle eyes, paint dobbers and glue.

Use the paint dobbers to decorate the O.

Glue the tissue paper onto the back of the letter O and then add the eyes.

The finished letter O Octopus.

Sea Shell Painting

This is the last of the beach themed activities I have to share with you.  A fun and easy painting project.

Here’s what you’ll need:

paint, paper plates, shells, paper

Put a little bit of paint on each plate and allow your child to have some fun with the painting.

First things first- Hailey painted her hands.

And now let’s mix all of the colors together to see what happens.

Now it’s time to paint the shells.

The finished sea shells.

Fun and easy!

We’re on vacation right now staying with my parents.  Tomorrow we will be heading out of the town with them to visit more family.  I probably won’t be doing much (if any) blogging while we’re away but I’ll be back next week.  See ya then!

Tags: Shell Painting, Toddler and Preschool Activities