www.craftsforkids.com

Hands on Crafts For Kids is the resource for kids craft projects and instructions for kids 6-12 and parents, teachers and other group leaders. It includes school and curriculum based projects,  multi cultural projects, and every day, holiday and seasonal ideas.

It is  the online home of the public television program Hands On Crafts for Kids.

Always cover your work surface with a mat or some type of protective covering like wax paper or plastic.

This beautiful marine theme puppet set comes complete with a seaweed surrounding for hours of imaginative play! Act out the adventures of this colorful fish family as they perch and peek out amongst the pose able plants!

Grade Range: 2 to 6

Skill Level: Moderate

Appropriate for These Special Events:
Every Day and Rainy Days

Supports Subject Area(s) of:
Language Arts – e.g. step by step instructions
Mathematics - measuring
Visual Arts

Time Needed for Project:
1 hour

Materials:
Westcott Brand® Kids NonStick 5” Blunt Tip Scissors with Microban® Protection (for ages 4 and up)
OR
Westcott Brand® Kids NonStick 5” Pointed Tip Scissors with Microban® Protection (for ages 6 and up)
Westcott Brand® Pencil Sharpener
Westcott Brand® Eraser
Westcott Brand® Ruler
Westcott Brand® Soft Touch School Compass with Microban® Protection(optional)
Color Duck® Brand Duct Tape
VELCRO® Brand Clear Hook and Loop Fastener Tape
3/8” VELCRO® Brand Clear Hook and Loop Fastener Coins
Chenille Stems
Pencil

Instructions:

1. To create the base for the fish and seaweed finger puppets, take two 8” pieces of duct tape and join them sticky sides together.
2. Fold the piece in half and join the sides with strips of duct tape to form a pocket for your finger to go in. Make one of these for the big fish (in this case I used blue) and make a second one in green for the seaweed finger puppet.
3. To create the seaweed stands, layer whole chenille stems between two pieces of duct tape and trim around the stems cutting the ends into a tapered leaf-like shape.
4. Attach the seaweed to the green finger puppet base with pieces of duct tape and bend the seaweed into a wavy, fanned position.
5. Take the other puppet base and press down in the center of the end to form it into a pint. Secure the point with a piece of matching duct tape.
6. To create the big fish’s pleated tail, take a strip of duct tape and fold it over onto itself lengthwise leaving a band of exposed stickiness.
7. Fold the piece onto itself by creating even pleats and attach the fanned tail to the fish with a piece of duct tape.
8. Add fins to the sides of your big fish’s body by cutting pieces of duct tape joined sticky sides together and attaching them to the fish’s body with more duct tape.
9. To create the little baby fish, simple join two pieces of duct tape sticky sides together and cut them into the shape of little fish.
10.  The great thing about this puppet set is that it features hook and loop fasteners that allow for the fishy family to hide amongst the foliage. Attach the fasteners to the seaweed and creatures and let the aquatic adventure begin!