Preschoolers are going to love making this colorful paper fish craft!

Check out these super cute paper fish we made using paint and construction paper. I made these with a preschool class and they had so much fun stamping dots.

construction paper fish craft painted with colorful dots — Kids will love this quick and easy 5-minute paper fish craft.

We are currently studying a pet unit at school with the kids. As part of that unit, we set up a small fish tank in the classroom. While we were waiting for our fish to be delivered we made these paper fish to hang around the classroom.

How to make a paper fish craft

This fish craft is so quick and easy to make. All you need is paper and paint. To make the dots there are a variety of options including paint daubers, cotton balls, and paint dot markers.

You need paper, paint, and a dauber to make a paper fish craft — Gather, paper, paint, and googly eyes to make a paper fish.

Supplies needed to make paper fish

White construction paper
Paint – acrylic or tempera
Googly eyes
Black marker
Paint dauber – alternatively, cotton balls or paint dot markers
Scissors
Glue stick

Instructions for making paper fish

Step 1

Fold your paper in half and then cut along the fold. One piece will be used to make the body of the fish. Fold the second half into a triangle shape to make the tail for your fish.

This is a great time to talk about shapes with the kids and have them cut their rectangle and triangle on their own if they can.

Step 2

Glue the tail onto the body of the fish.

Step 3

Use a dauber, cotton balls, or paint dot pens to paint colorful dots all over your paper fish.

The last step for making your paper fish is to add a googly eye and a mouth to your fish — Attach a googly eye and draw a mouth on your paper fish.

The final step for making your paper fish is to attach a googly eye using glue, and then draw on a mouth using a black marker.

Our finished paper fish craft

Colorful paper fish made with paper, googly eyes, and paint dotted on with daubers. — These super cute paper fish are such a fun craft for preschoolers.

Yield: 1

Paper Fish Craft

This super cute paper fish craft is perfect for preschoolers.

Materials

White construction paper
Paint - acrylic or tempera
Googly eyes
Black marker

Tools

Paint dauber - alternatively, cotton balls
Scissors
Glue stick

Instructions

Fold your paper in half and then cut along the fold.
One side will be used for the body of the fish. Fold the other side into a triangle and cut it out to make the tail.
Glue the tail of the fish onto the body.
Use paint daubers, paint dot markers, or cotton balls to make colorful dots all over your fish.
Attach a googly eye using glue.
Draw on a mouth using the marker.

Related: How to make a paper house

More fish crafts from Kids Activities Blog

Make this paper plate goldfish craft
Can’t have a real fish? Make this super cute fishbowl craft with the kids
This Finding Dory cupcake liner fish craft is simply adorable
Look at these beautiful rainbow fish coloring pages
Little fingers are going to love this under the sea squishy bag

Have you made our paper fish craft? Did you use paint daubers or cotton balls?

A Colorful Paper Fish Craft for Preschoolers