Diving Dolphin Craft [Free Template]

Let’s make a dolphin craft that dives. This fun and interactive paper plate activity is perfect for kids who love dolphins. It is simple to set up and comes with a free printable template.

To begin with, you only need two paper plates and a few other basic supplies you likely already have at home or in the classroom. Then, add a playful twist by personalising it with your child’s photo sitting on top of the dolphin.

As kids move the dolphin up and down in the ocean using a popsicle stick or paper straw, they also build fine motor skills. It is a great hands on activity for toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarten, and early school kids. Perfect for story time, ocean themes, sea animal lesson plans, or summer craft sessions.

If you are looking for more ocean crafts, be sure to explore our collection of ocean animal crafts for kids. You will find plenty of fun and easy ideas to keep little hands busy and creative.

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Supplies You Need to Make a Dolphin Craft that Dives

1. Two paper plates
2. Glue
3. Watercolours, crayons, or acrylic paint
4. Two sheets of white cardstock (one for the template, the second is optional if you want to use our generic boy or girl image on top of the dolphin)
5. Scissors
6. Markers
7. Jumbo popsicle stick or paper straw
8. Stapler
9. Diving dolphin craft template (enter your details in the form within the instructions below to access the template)

Steps to Make a Diving Dolphin Craft

Follow these simple steps to create an easy paper plate diving dolphin craft.

Step 1

To make this dolphin puppet craft, start with two dinner size paper plates. First, draw black wavy lines slightly lower down on the outside of one plate. Then, draw similar wavy lines on the second plate, this time slightly higher up on the inside.

Let kids have fun creating their own wave shapes. This gives them a chance to practise curvy lines and create an ocean effect.

Step 2

Next, take the paper plate with the wavy line drawn on the outside. Carefully cut along the line to follow the wave shape. Then, keep the smaller curved piece as your wave and discard the larger piece.

Step 3

Now, it is time to add colour below the black wavy lines. Paint the outside of the small curved piece from the previous step, and then paint the inside of the other paper plate. We used blue watercolour to keep the ocean look nice and bright.

Let the watercolour dry completely before moving to the next step.

Step 4

Then, use a stapler to attach both sides of the smaller curved paper plate piece to the other paper plate. Make sure the smaller piece is placed with the outside facing up. This will leave enough space for the dolphin to move easily.

Step 5

Download and print the paper plate diving dolphin craft template on two sheets of white cardstock. The second page includes our generic boy and girl images. You can skip printing this page if you are using your own child’s photo instead. Personalising it with your child’s photo will make the craft even more fun for kids.

Simply enter your details in the form below to access the template and join our newsletter.

Step 6

Now, paint the dolphin using light blue watercolour. Leave the bottom part unpainted so it looks white.

Next, let kids paint the small fish in colours they like. Then, draw the scales and eyes on each fish using a black marker.

Step 7

Once the paint is dry, carefully cut them out, including the eye. Next, stick the eye onto the dolphin’s face.

Step 8

Next, stick the small fish onto the blue ocean area. Place them around the plate to create a fun and lively underwater scene.

Step 9

Now, cut out the child’s photo, either your own or the generic one from the template. Then, stick it near the dolphin’s fin using glue.

Step 10

Then, attach the dolphin to the end of a jumbo popsicle stick using glue. Press it down gently and let it hold. You can also use a paper straw if you want it to be slightly longer.

Now, gently slide the popsicle stick into the space between the two paper plates. Move it side to side to make the dolphin dive and swim.

Kids will have so much fun watching themselves float through the ocean on the dolphin’s back. It is such a fun and easy craft to enjoy together.

More Ocean Animal Crafts and activities for Kids

We have even more easy ocean animal crafts for kids to enjoy this summer. You will find simple, hands on ideas using everyday supplies and printable templates. These are perfect for keeping kids engaged at home, in the classroom, or during summer activities.

Paper plate turtle: This adorable paper plate turtle craft is a fun and easy summer craft to enjoy with kids.

The shell is made from a paper plate, while the textured design is created using a recycled toilet paper roll, which gives it a lovely 3D effect. A free printable template is included to make the turtle’s head simple to cut and assemble, making this a great craft for preschoolers and older kids alike.

Jellyfish cutting activity craft: This jellyfish cutting activity craft is a fun ocean-themed printable activity that helps kids build fine motor and scissor skills. Children can cut out different tentacle patterns and attach them to create their own colorful jellyfish.

J for Jellyfish Coloring page: Bring the wonders of the sea to life with this J is for Jellyfish coloring page. It’s a fun way for kids to explore creativity while learning the letter J and recognizing both uppercase and lowercase forms.

Children can color their jellyfish and trace the word “jellyfish,” helping build early writing and fine motor skills in an engaging, hands-on way.

Egg carton shark craft: Recycle old egg cartons to create adorable shark crafts this summer. Kids can paint them in different colors to make a whole shark family, and have fun singing along to “Baby Shark” while playing with them. This simple craft is a fun way to introduce recycling and reusing materials, and it also makes a great activity for Earth Day.

Ocean Animal Crafts e-book

10 ocean animal crafts ebook – Looking for more ocean themed crafts to keep kids engaged this summer? Explore our ebook of 10 easy ocean animal crafts with simple steps, clear instructions, and printable templates that kids will enjoy making.

Dolphin-themed books for kids

If you enjoyed making this dolphin craft, take a look at these dolphin themed books for kids. They are a great way to extend the fun with stories and learning.

Amazing Dolphins!: Dolphins are fascinating, intelligent animals that kids will love learning about. This book explores where dolphins live, how they communicate, and why they are so unique.

With simple text and engaging facts, children will discover that dolphins can whistle, live in rivers, and are even considered small whales. It is a great read for kids who are starting to read on their own.

Dolphins: Dolphins are known for their friendly smiles and playful nature, but they are also wild mammals that need protection. This book helps kids understand their lives in the wild and why it is important to care for their natural habitat.

With simple, engaging text, it encourages awareness and helps children learn how we can protect these amazing ocean animals.

Hope for Winter: The True Story of a Remarkable Dolphin Friendship: This inspiring story follows a baby dolphin named Hope who is rescued and given a second chance at life. Found injured and alone, she is cared for by a dedicated team who help her recover and grow strong.

Through courage and care, Hope overcomes many challenges and finds a safe home. It is a heartwarming story that shows resilience, kindness, and the importance of helping animals in need.

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