Looking for fun beach-themed craft ideas? Children will love working to make this adorable starfish craft.
Continue reading for a step-by-step guide and a list of materials needed for this adorable summer starfish activity.
This ocean-themed project is wonderful for preschool and elementary-aged children. It is an adorable project.
I was so pleased with this craft that I framed my daughter’s starfish art to display on our shelf alongside our favorite Books About Ocean Animals and Sea Life.
While constructing this craft, children will practice a variety of fine motor and art skills. They will paint, cut, glue, blend, and trace to create a realistic beach scene featuring an adorable starfish.
Starfish Craft Template and Materials
- Watercolor Paper
- Chalk Pastels
- Water
- Paintbrush
- Glue Stick
- Liquid Pearl Paint or Glitter Glue
- Starfish Template
How to Make Starfish Craft
Step 1:
Print the Starfish Template onto card stock or watercolor paper. Give each child their own template.
Step 2:
To start, paint a simple beach scene. Use colors that mimic beach sand and ocean water to create a landscape that will be the backdrop of your craft. I used a sandy beige color for the sand, teal for shallow ocean water, and blue to represent the deeper ocean waters.
To create the beach scene rub the sand-colored chalk pastel horizontally across the watercolor paper creating a thick stripe across the paper.
Next, rub a turquoise colored chalk pastel horizontally to make a thick stripe just below the sand-colored stripe. Finally, rub a blue chalk pastel just under the teal color until you fill the remaining paper with the color.
Step 3:
Use a wet paintbrush to brush water over the chalk pastels. The wet brush will allow you to seamlessly blend the colors where they meet causing a beautiful gradient effect. It will also settle the chalk and prevent it from transferring once dry.
Step 4:
Rub chalk pastel in the color of your choosing over the starfish. Brush water over the starfish to move and blend the chalk pastel creating a watercolor effect. Once dry, cut out the starfish.
Step 5:
Using a glue-stick, apply glue to the back of the starfish and paste it onto the beach scene you painted in step 2.
Step 6:
Finally, using fine-tipped glitter glue or liquid pearl, trace all of the black ink on the starfish. This will add texture and dimension to the craft.
This starfish craft is a great summer activity and displays beautifully.
