Easy + Fun Jellyfish Paper Plate Craft (No Template Needed)

This paper plate jellyfish craft is one of our favorite easy paper plate crafts and makes the perfect activity for a science lesson, end-of-school-year project, or summer craft activity. 

Since we live near the mountains of Colorado, we don’t get to spend time at the beach very often. And maybe because of that, my kids have always enjoyed making ocean crafts and events like Shark Week. 

Whether we make a sensory bin filled with underwater sea animals or an addictively fun sea life sensory bottle, my kids love any craft that involves colorful sea creatures! And I love the fine motor skills practice they get.

Now, while we would definitely prefer to avoid coming upon an actual jellyfish on the beach, this adorable paper plate jellyfish craft is a great way for young children and older children to learn about these incredible ocean animals.

So when it gets hot outside and you need to bring the kids inside or a shaded area and find something engaging for them to do, this paper plate jellyfish craft is a fun activity your kids need to try. 

This easy, adorable jellyfish is easy enough for toddlers to help make and it’s definitely entertaining for older kids to create, too!

Be sure to serve up our Shark Charcuterie for an ocean-themed day of fun!

Supplies Needed

You only need a few simple materials for this easy craft project!

• Large Paper Plate – 9″ diameter or larger
• Craft Paint – blue or any color you choose
• Blue Yarn – a variety of colors will work too
• Paint Brush – regular or sponge brush
• Hole Punch – hand-held hole punch
• Self-Stick Googly Eyes – or use glue if not self-stick
• Black Marker
• Scissors

How To Make A Paper Plate Jellyfish

Just follow these step-by-step instructions for the easy way to make this cute jellyfish craft!

Step 1 – Cut the Paper Plate in Half

Step 2 – Paint One Half Of Paper Plate Blue

If needed, let dry and paint with a second coat. Allow the plate to dry completely.

Step 3 – Punch Holes

Once the plate has dried completely, punch 8 holes in the bottom of the paper plate (the flat side) with a hole punch.

Be sure to space the holes out as evenly as you can.

Step 4 – Cut Pieces Of Yarn

Cut 8 pieces of yarn into 12-inch long pieces.

Step 5 – Make The Jellyfish Tentacles

Thread a piece of yarn through each hole in the paper plate and tie a knot to hold it secure.

Tip: Thread the yarn through the painted side and tie the knot on the unpainted side.

Step 6 – Add Googly Eyes And Mouth

With the self-adhesive googly eyes or glue, place the eyes on the paper plates.

Draw a mouth on the jellyfish with the permanent marker.

Display the jellyfish or enjoy some playtime with your creation!

Paper Plate Jellyfish Recipe Notes And Tips

• Use paper plates that do not have a wax or slick finish. The uncoated paper plates will work the best.

• Painting sponge brushes will work great to paint your paper plate because it’s larger than a paintbrush and covers a larger area more quickly. A smaller paintbrush will also work just fine if that’s all you have.

• If paint is not an option for any reason, crayons, markers or colored pencils will work, too! It might take a little longer, but the kids will still love working on their creations.

• Have several paintbrushes available so multiple colors can be painted on the jellyfish if desired.

Variations Of Paper Plate Jellyfish To Try

• Blue is the suggested color to paint your paper plate jellyfish, but you could truly use a variety of colors because jellyfish can be pink, yellow, blue, purple, or even luminescent. So, provide the kids with a various colors of paint and yarn (or pipe cleaners) and let their imaginations go wild!

• Glitter!! I know…..kids love glitter more than adults do. 😂 But they will LOVE the sparkly look of the paper plate jellyfish.

• Glue strips of cut crepe paper instead of punching holes for the yarn.

• Ribbon is another great choice in place of yarn.

Paper Plate Jellyfish Craft FAQs

If you have any questions about this great activity, check below to see if they’ve already been answered. Don’t see your question? Leave it for me in the comments!

What kind of paint will work best on my paper plate jellyfish?

Acrylic paint will be the best kind of paint to use on paper plates.

If you think the paint is too thick, just add a tiny bit of water until you reach the desired consistency for your paint to glide on smoothly.

What kind of glue will work best if I don’t have self-adhesive googly eyes?

Good question! I would suggest using a glue gun. The hot glue will hold the eyes in place well and dry more quickly than liquid glue.

If you do use a glue gun, please be sure to have an adult available to assist the kids to avoid injury.

What is the best type of paper plate to use for the jellyfish activity?

That is a great question! You will find what works best for you after some trial and error. However, I would suggest the inexpensive, white, uncoated variety of plates.

You will not want a thick plate with a taller outside edge!

Love crafts and easy DIY projects? Grab this mini activity book for more by clicking the image below – free! 👇

More Kid-Friendly Summer Crafts To Try

• Drip-Painted Flower Pots
• Paper Plate Garden Craft For Kids
• Lion Fork Painting Activity
• How To Make Outdoor DIY Puffy Paint
• Folded Paper Sunflower Craft For Kids
• DIY Mushroom Fairy House
• DIY Nature Mandala

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