Fun and Easy Octopus Crafts for Kids

Octopus Crafts for Kids are a splashy hit with little ones who are fascinated by the wonders of the ocean. Whether it’s the swirling tentacles, bold colors, or the mysterious world beneath the waves, ocean-themed crafts ignite children’s imagination like few other activities. These hands-on projects are not only fun but also incredibly enriching. Engaging in crafts helps kids develop fine motor skills, sparks creativity, and fosters marine awareness, all while having a blast with glue, paint, and paper.

Octopus Crafts for Kids

Octopus Crafts for Kids are a fun and engaging way to spark creativity while exploring ocean life. These easy projects also help develop fine motor skills and build marine awareness.

Paper Plate Octopus

Kids will love turning simple paper plates into adorable octopus friends! This craft is perfect for preschoolers and early elementary kids, combining painting fun with easy cutting and decorating. It’s a great way to introduce marine life while getting creative. With some colorful paper and imagination, this ocean creature comes to life.

• Cut the paper plate in half to create the octopus body.

• Use strips of construction paper or ribbon for tentacles.

• Let kids paint the plate in bright ocean colors.

• Add googly eyes and draw a happy smile.

• Decorate tentacles with stickers, dots, or glitter.

Toilet Paper Roll Octopus

This eco-friendly craft uses empty toilet paper rolls to create a 3D octopus. It’s a fun way to teach kids about recycling while enjoying hands-on creativity. Perfect for rainy days or classroom activities, this craft adds a bit of dimension to your ocean art.

• Paint the toilet paper roll in any color (blue, purple, pink).

• Cut 8 slits at the bottom and curl them outward for legs.

• Glue on googly eyes or draw them with markers.

• Use a marker to add spots, dots, or tiny suckers.

• Let kids name their octopus and add accessories like a bow or hat.

Handprint Octopus

This keepsake craft turns little handprints into a playful octopus! It’s a great sensory and memory activity for toddlers and preschoolers. Use colorful paper or paint for a more personal touch, and watch kids light up as they see their hands become ocean animals.

• Trace and cut out handprints to make the tentacles.

• Glue handprints to a circular paper head for the body.

• Use bright paper or let kids finger paint their prints.

• Write the child’s name and date on the back for memory keeping.

• Add big cartoon eyes and draw a goofy face.

Cupcake Liner Octopus

Cupcake liners make a fun and textured base for a cute octopus craft. This quick and simple idea is perfect for a group setting like daycare or a party. It’s also mess-free and requires minimal setup.

• Flatten the cupcake liner for the head of the octopus.

• Cut out and glue strips of paper or yarn as tentacles.

• Stick on small googly eyes or draw your own.

• Use patterned liners for extra flair and texture.

• Add sea-themed stickers around the octopus for a mini scene.

Yarn-Wrapped Octopus

Kids can practice fine motor skills while wrapping colorful yarn around their octopus! This tactile craft is perfect for older kids who enjoy a bit of a challenge. The yarn texture adds a fun, fuzzy look to your sea creature.

• Cut an octopus shape out of cardboard or thick foam.

• Let kids choose and wrap yarn all over the body.

• Glue on felt or paper eyes.

• Add paper tentacles or wrap yarn around pipe cleaners.

• Use different yarn textures for a multi-sensory experience.

Octopus Paper Chain

Turn the classic paper chain into a creative underwater creature! Each link of the chain becomes a wiggly tentacle, and it’s perfect for classrooms, bedrooms, or playrooms as a hanging decoration.

• Create 8 paper chains for the octopus’s legs.

• Attach all chains to a round paper body.

• Hang the octopus from the ceiling with string or yarn.

• Decorate each link with stickers or drawings.

• Use different colors for each leg to make it extra vibrant.

Origami Octopus

Introduce kids to simple origami by folding paper into a cute octopus. This craft is a great way to mix creativity with focus and concentration. Plus, it’s a no-mess, travel-friendly option.

• Use square origami paper for easy folding.

• Follow basic folds to create body and tentacles.

• Add eyes with markers or stickers.

• Use printed or colored paper for a fun look.

• Pair the craft with an ocean-themed story for added learning.

Felt Octopus Puppets

These soft, cuddly octopus puppets are great for storytelling and pretend play. Kids can create characters and even put on a mini puppet show after crafting. It also helps build narrative thinking.

• Cut felt into a simple octopus shape.

• Glue or stitch around the edges (adult supervision needed).

• Add tentacles with ribbon or felt strips.

• Use buttons or fabric scraps for facial features.

• Encourage kids to give their puppet a name and voice.

Octopus Suncatcher

Brighten up windows with a colorful octopus suncatcher! This is a fun way to explore light, color, and transparency, especially when the sun shines through.

• Cut out an octopus outline on black paper or cardstock.

• Use tissue paper bits to fill the inside like stained glass.

• Seal with contact paper or plastic sheet.

• Attach string to hang in a sunny spot.

• Talk about ocean sunlight and deep-sea creatures.

Pompom Octopus

Soft and fluffy pom-poms make a super cute and tactile octopus craft. This one is especially popular with toddlers and preschoolers who love soft textures.

• Glue large pom-poms together to form the body.

• Attach yarn or pipe cleaner legs.

• Add googly eyes or small felt eyes.

• Use mini pompoms as decorations or bubbles.

• Create a family of pompom octopuses in different sizes.

Egg Carton Octopus

Repurpose an egg carton to create small octopus friends. Each section becomes a head, and kids love decorating multiple creatures in a row.

• Cut individual cups from an egg carton.

• Paint or color each one brightly.

• Glue on paper or string tentacles underneath.

• Add fun faces or eyes on top.

• Make several and turn them into a mini ocean scene.

Clothespin Octopus

This clever craft uses clothespins as bendable, clip-on tentacles. It’s an interactive project that kids can play with after they’re done crafting.

• Use a foam ball or paper circle for the octopus head.

• Clip 8 painted clothespins around the edge.

• Decorate each clip with stickers or tiny dots.

• Draw or glue on silly facial features.

• Use it as a name tag holder or pencil topper.

Bubble Wrap Octopus

Turn bubble wrap into an underwater-textured masterpiece! Kids love the poppable material, and it adds cool detail to your sea creature’s body.

• Cut bubble wrap into a circle and paint it.

• Glue onto a construction paper background.

• Add long strips for legs and decorate with spots.

• Stick on eyes and draw a friendly face.

• Let kids pop leftover bubbles as a reward!

Sponge Octopus

Soft kitchen sponges become the base for this squishy octopus craft. This is a fun bath-time or sensory bin addition once finished.

• Cut sponge into strips for tentacles.

• Tie together with a rubber band in the center.

• Add a small foam ball or googly eyes on top.

• Let it soak and squish in water after crafting.

• Great for water tables or bath toys.

Printable Octopus Mask

Kids can color and wear their very own octopus mask! This activity is perfect for pretend play and costume fun, plus it encourages storytelling and role-play.

• Print or trace a simple octopus mask template.

• Let kids color it with crayons or markers.

• Cut out eye holes and attach a headband or string.

• Decorate with sequins, glitter, or tissue paper.

• Use the mask in a sea-themed play or skit.

Learning Activities to Pair with Crafts

Pairing creative projects like Octopus Crafts for Kids with simple educational activities is a fun way to deepen your child’s understanding of marine life. These learning extensions help kids connect their art to real-world knowledge, all while keeping the experience playful and engaging. Whether it’s through stories, videos, or fun facts, these activities enhance both creativity and curiosity.

• Read an octopus-themed children’s book
  Choose titles like “My Very Own Octopus” by Bernard Most or “Inky’s Amazing Escape” by Sy Montgomery. Reading together boosts literacy skills and introduces fascinating octopus behavior in story form.

• Watch a kid-friendly video about sea creatures
  Educational YouTube channels or streaming platforms often feature short, colorful videos about ocean animals. Look for segments that explain how octopuses move, eat, and protect themselves.

• Include fun facts or simple science lessons
  Teach kids that octopuses have three hearts, can regrow arms, and use camouflage to hide from predators. Turn these facts into a mini quiz or drawing prompt.

• Color-by-number or printable worksheets
  Print out themed coloring pages or number puzzles featuring sea creatures. These help reinforce number recognition, color matching, and focus.

• Create a mini ocean habitat diorama
  Use shoeboxes, blue paper, and ocean animal cutouts to build a small underwater scene. Kids can place their octopus craft inside and explain what happens in its ocean world.

FAQ

What age group are octopus crafts best suited for?

Octopus crafts can be adapted for a wide range of ages, from toddlers to early elementary kids. Simpler crafts like handprints and paper plates work well for preschoolers, while older children can enjoy more detailed projects like yarn wrapping or felt puppets.

What materials do I need for basic octopus crafts?

Most crafts use common supplies such as construction paper, googly eyes, glue, scissors, toilet paper rolls, paint, yarn, and markers. Many crafts can also be made with recycled or household materials.

Are these crafts safe for young children?

Yes, with adult supervision. Always assist with scissors, glue guns, or small parts like googly eyes. Choose age-appropriate projects and supervise any cutting or choking hazards for toddlers.

How long do these crafts take to complete?

Most octopus crafts can be completed in 15–30 minutes, depending on the complexity and age of the child. Some, like yarn wrapping or felt puppets, may take a bit longer.