10 Fun Octopus Crafts for Kids

When I think of summer, I think of two things: HOT and finding ways to keep the kids busy. What better way to survive the heat and the kids than with a fun ocean craft!

If you’re looking for a fun and easy summer craft for kids, these octopus projects are it!

1. Simple Paper Bag Octopus

Let’s kick things off with a classic that is surprisingly easy. You just need to fold and decorate a brown paper bag to make it look like an octopus.

I love this one because you can add eyes and legs to make a fun puppet or a cute decoration. This activity is perfect for working on fine motor skills and encouraging storytelling.

2. Crepe Paper Octopus for Toddlers

How cute is this one? You can create a wiggly octopus using a paper body and crepe paper for the legs.

This is such a great craft because it helps with color recognition and is perfect for movement play. We did this for an ocean-themed week, and it was a total hit. It’s a fantastic idea for toddlers.

3. Colorful Toilet Paper Roll Octopus

Time to use up those toilet paper rolls! You can turn one into a colorful octopus with a bit of paint, some glue, and ribbon for the legs.

This eco-friendly craft is a great way to support fine motor development. It’s an awesome choice for any kid who loves the ocean.

4. Paper Plate Octopus Craft

You can’t go wrong with a classic paper plate craft. Seriously! Create a super cute octopus just by cutting and decorating a paper plate.

After you add eyes and glue on some ribbons for legs, it’s ready for pretend play. This is a wonderfully beginner-friendly project that celebrates marine animals.

5. Baby Handprint and Button Octopus

Want a sentimental project? This is for you! You can make a precious keepsake octopus using your baby’s handprint.

Adding buttons gives it a wonderful texture. This craft is just perfect for gifting or for memory-making with your little ones, and it’s a great way to encourage creativity and bonding.

6. Hanging Sock Octopus Friend

This idea is so silly and fun. Turn old socks into hanging octopuses by using cotton balls and shoelaces for the legs!

My kids thought this was hilarious. This upcycled project is great for motor development and is sure to inspire lots of pretend play. It’s a playful way to bring sea life right into your room.

7. Googly Eye Octopus from Cardboard

Speaking of silly, this project is a blast. You get to make a fun octopus with cardboard, some bubble wrap, and giant googly eyes.

This craft is fantastic for sensory exploration and helps kids think about design. It’s an ideal activity for kids who love the ocean and for creative playdates.

8. Recycled Cereal Box Octopus

We love a good recycled craft in our house. Make an octopus from an old cereal box with markers and yarn for the legs.

This craft is great because it teaches about reusing materials while building up creativity. It’s a wonderful fit for an ocean theme or even a science lesson for kindergarteners.

9. Handprint and Bubble Wrap Octopus

Here’s another fun and not-so-scary idea. Use handprints for the body and bubble wrap to add texture for a sweet little octopus.

I love how tactile this one is, and it really boosts creativity and motor skills. It’s a super fun way to explore the ocean.

10. Sea Animal Coloring Pages

Sometimes you just need a quiet activity. These printable pages are perfect for that. Kids can color and cut out all sorts of fun sea animals, including octopuses, of course.

These printables are great for learning about shapes and ocean life. They’re a fantastic choice for quiet time or for a classroom setting.

11. Preschool Foam Ball Octopus

Let’s make a soft octopus! This one uses foam balls with pipe cleaners for the legs. It’s a really sensory-friendly craft that helps support fine motor skills and imaginative play.

This is an awesome idea for an ocean unit or just for pretend play, making it perfect for preschoolers who are exploring sea life.

12. Funny Toilet Roll Octopus

Ready for a laugh? Craft a funny-looking octopus from a toilet roll with paint and curling ribbon legs.

My kids and I had so much fun making these silly faces. This is a quick project that brings creativity and laughter together and is just great for ocean-themed learning.

13. Letter O is for Octopus

We love it when a craft can be educational! Here, you cut out a letter “O” and turn it into an octopus by adding legs and eyes.

This fantastic combination of literacy and art helps boost letter and shape recognition. It’s truly perfect for early learners and preschoolers.

14. Foam and Bubble Wrap Octopus

Want a project with extra texture? Make a cool octopus using foam and some bubble wrap for squishy legs.

This sensory craft really sparks the imagination and is great for touch-based learning. It’s a fun and playful way to explore all those underwater themes.

15. Paper Octopus with a Bottle Cap

This craft is surprisingly easy and adorable! Just glue bottle caps onto paper to make a cute octopus face.

You can then add legs with markers or some yarn for a little extra flair. This simple project is great for building those important scissor and gluing skills.

16. Paper Octopus with Googly Eyes

You can decorate a paper octopus with googly eyes and some ribbon tentacles for this last idea.

This silly craft is amazing for encouraging creativity and storytelling. It’s perfect for little hands that are learning all about different sea creatures.

And that’s a wrap! These octopus crafts are so much fun and just perfect for whenever you need a creative project. I love that they help build fine motor skills while everyone is learning about the ocean.

You can use paper plates or stuff from the recycling bin to bring all that underwater excitement right into your home or classroom. It’s awesome!