| | | | |

Dive into Creativity: Printable Craft for Kids – Sharks and Whales Collage!

Craft activities are a fantastic way to engage children’s creativity and enhance their fine motor skills. If you’re looking for an exciting project that combines education and entertainment, we have just the thing for you! 

Whale and Shark Printable Crafts

Materials Needed:

  1. Printable template (Download here: [link])
  2. Scissors
  3. Glue stick
  4. Colored pencils, markers, or crayons
  5. Construction paper or cardstock (optional)

Step 1: Gather the Materials and Set Up: Before you begin, make sure you have all the necessary materials ready. Download and print the shark and/or whale template provided, or you can draw your own if you prefer. Prepare the scissors, glue stick, and coloring materials. If you wish, you can also use colored construction paper or cardstock as a background for your final creations.

Step 2: Coloring Fun: Encourage your kids to express their creativity by coloring the sharks and whales using their preferred colors. They can follow realistic color schemes or let their imagination run wild with vibrant hues. This step adds a personal touch to the craft and allows children to explore their artistic side.

Step 3: Cut, Cut, Cut! Once the coloring is complete, it’s time to carefully cut out the sharks and whales from the template. Make sure to assist younger children with this step, as scissors can be sharp. Take your time and cut along the solid lines, ensuring that each marine creature is neatly separated from the surrounding white space.

Step 4: The Underwater Scene: Now, it’s time to create an enchanting underwater scene! Provide your child with a blank sheet of construction paper or cardstock as the backdrop for their masterpiece. Alternatively, they can use the printable template itself if they prefer.

Step 5: Let the Magic Begin: Here comes the most exciting part—arranging and pasting the sharks and whales onto the background! Encourage your child to explore different compositions, considering size, position, and interactions between the sea creatures. They can create a lively ocean with sharks swimming near the surface or a serene deep-sea encounter with whales gracefully gliding through the water. The possibilities are endless, limited only by their imagination!

Step 6: Stick it Together: Once your child is satisfied with their composition, it’s time to glue the cutouts onto the background. Apply glue to the back of each shark or whale and carefully press them onto the construction paper or cardstock. Ensure that they are securely attached, so they don’t accidentally come off during display or playtime.

Step 7: Final Touches: Allow the glue to dry completely before displaying the completed artwork. Encourage your child to add extra details to their underwater scene, such as bubbles, coral reefs, or other sea creatures. They can use their coloring materials to bring their imagination to life and make the scene even more vibrant and captivating.

The Benefits of Crafts for Kids

Craft activities offer numerous benefits for children’s development. Here are a few key advantages:

Enhancing Fine Motor Skills: Cutting, pasting, and coloring help improve hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, which are essential for tasks like writing, drawing, and self-care activities.

Stimulating Creativity: Crafts encourage children to think creatively, make decisions, and express themselves artistically. They can explore different color combinations, compositions, and design choices, fostering their imagination and problem-solving skills.

Developing Cognitive Skills: Craft activities promote cognitive development by engaging children in planning, organizing, and following instructions. They learn to sequence steps, recognize shapes and patterns, and make connections between concepts.

Boosting Self-Confidence: Completing a craft project gives children a sense of accomplishment and pride in their abilities. It builds their self-confidence, encourages perseverance, and helps develop a positive attitude towards learning.

For another great shark craft, check out this shark headband craft.

Fascinating Facts about Sharks and Whales

Sharks and whales are fascinating creatures that capture the imagination of both children and adults. Here are a few intriguing facts about these marine animals to share with your child:

Fun Info About Sharks:

  • Sharks have been around for approximately 450 million years, making them older than dinosaurs.
  • They come in various sizes, from the dwarf lantern shark (measuring around 8 inches) to the massive whale shark (growing up to 40 feet).
  • Contrary to popular belief, most sharks are not dangerous to humans. Out of over 500 species, only a handful are known to pose a risk.
  • Sharks have an exceptional sense of smell, and some species can detect a single drop of blood in an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
  • They continually grow and replace their teeth throughout their lives. A shark can lose thousands of teeth in its lifetime.

Fun Info About Whales:

  • Whales are the largest animals on Earth, with the blue whale being the largest known species. They can reach lengths of over 90 feet.
  • They are mammals and breathe air, just like humans. Whales surface to exhale through a blowhole on the top of their heads.
  • Some whale species undertake long migrations, traveling thousands of miles each year to breed and feed.
  • Whales are highly social animals, often living in family groups called pods. They communicate through a variety of vocalizations, including songs that can travel vast distances.
  • The Humpback whale is known for its acrobatic displays, leaping out of the water and slapping its fins and tail on the surface.

Shark and Whale Extension Activities

To extend the fun and learning beyond the initial craft, here are a few extension activities related to sharks and whales:

Research Project

Encourage your child to dive deeper into the world of marine creatures by conducting a research project. They can choose a specific shark or whale species and gather information about its habitat, diet, behavior, and conservation status. They can create a report or a mini-presentation to share their findings with family and friends.

Ocean Diorama

Help your child create a three-dimensional ocean diorama. Using a shoebox or a similar container, they can use craft materials like colored paper, modeling clay, and toy figurines to build an underwater scene. Incorporate the sharks and whales from the initial craft, along with other sea creatures, to make a captivating display.

Storytelling or Puppet Show

Encourage your child to write a story or create a puppet show featuring sharks and whales as the main characters. They can use their crafted marine creatures as puppets or draw illustrations to accompany the story. This activity stimulates their storytelling skills and imagination while exploring the world of marine life.

Can I draw my own sharks and whales instead of using the printable template? 

Absolutely! If you prefer to draw your own sharks and whales, feel free to do so. The template is provided as a convenient option, but creating your own illustrations adds a personal touch to the craft.

Are there specific color schemes I should follow for the sharks and whales?

There are no specific color schemes you need to follow for the sharks and whales. Encourage your child to use their imagination and choose colors that appeal to them. They can stick to realistic colors or get creative with vibrant and imaginative hues.

Can I use different materials besides construction paper or cardstock for the background?

Yes, you can use different materials for the background. Construction paper and cardstock are popular choices, but you can also use poster board, canvas, or any other sturdy material that can hold the cutouts securely.

Can I use this craft activity for a group or classroom setting?

Yes, this craft activity can be adapted for a group or classroom setting. You can print multiple copies of the template and provide each child with their own set of sharks and whales to cut and paste. Make sure to have enough coloring materials, scissors, and glue sticks available for everyone to enjoy the activity together.

Is this craft suitable for children of all ages? 

This craft activity can be adjusted to suit children of different ages. Younger children may require more assistance with cutting and pasting, while older children can explore more intricate designs and add additional details to their underwater scene. Supervision and guidance are recommended, especially when using scissors.

Whale & Shark Crafts

Get the Whale & Shark Craft set when you join the Royal Baloo newsletter!

  • Multiple whales & sharks to choose from

  • Comes in color and black & white

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *