I have to admit that I might be slightly fascinated by pufferfish. They’re incredibly round and adorable! So, although summer is almost over, we’re still experiencing a heat wave, making it an ideal time for a playful pufferfish project such as our Bubble Wrap Pufferfish Craft. After all, bubble wrap combined with pufferfish—what could possibly be more fun?
Naturally, we’ve provided a Free Printable Pufferfish Template containing all the necessary pieces and parts. Simply cut the pieces from the colors you prefer, glue them together, and add bubble-wrap prints. This makes a wonderfully entertaining summer activity for preschoolers through elementary-aged children—and perhaps grown-ups as well. It’s incredibly puffy!
Bright Pufferfish Bubble Wrap Craft
Before making this puffer fish project, download and use our pufferfish template.
You’ll also need a sheet of bubble wrap, white acrylic paint, cardstock in white plus any colors you like, large googly eyes, scissors, and a glue stick.
Supplies for the Puffer Fish Craft
- Pufferfish Template
- Bubble wrap
- White acrylic paint
- Cardstock – white, colors of your choice
- Googly eyes, large
- Scissors
- Glue stick
Step-by-Step Instructions for the Bubble Wrap Pufferfish Craft
First, print the pufferfish template, then trim out each piece.
Next, choose two contrasting sheets of cardstock.
Use the template to trace the large circle onto the cardstock, then cut out the circles.
Trace the two fin pieces onto one of the cardstock colors and cut them out as well. A white circle will also be needed. Use the template circle or a 1.5” circle paper punch to make one. Set the fins and white circle to the side temporarily.
At this point, cut one of the large circles approximately in half.
Attach the half circle along the bottom of the complete circle with glue.
After that, spread out a piece of bubble wrap along with the white paint. Brush a light layer of paint over the bubble wrap. If the paint is too thick, the bubbles will not stand out and you’ll end up with a paint blob.
Set the circle onto the bubble wrap and press over its entire surface so the bubbles print as evenly and fully as possible.
Carefully peel the circle away from the bubble wrap.
Allow the paint to dry all the way.
Once the paint has dried, position googly eyes near the point where the two colors come together.
For the mouth, glue the white circle onto the pufferfish.
To finish, attach the fins to the pufferfish’s sides. It’s adorable, wonderfully puffy, and lots of fun!
Materials
- Pufferfish Template
- Bubble wrap
- White acrylic paint
- Cardstock – white, colors of your choice
- Googly eyes, large
- Scissors
- Glue stick
Instructions
- Start by printing the pufferfish template, then cut out all the pieces.
- Next, select two different cardstock colors. Trace the template’s large circle onto the cardstock and cut it out.
- In one cardstock color, trace the pair of fin shapes and cut them out.
- You’ll need a white circle as well. Make one with the template or a 1.5” circle paper punch, then set the fins and white circle aside.
- Next, divide one of the large circles roughly in half.
- Use glue to secure the half circle along the lower edge of the full circle.
- Then, place a sheet of bubble wrap and some white paint on your work surface. Cover the bubble wrap with a thin paint layer. Applying too much paint will hide the bubbles and create a thick blob.
- Press the circle onto the bubble wrap and smooth over it so the paint spreads evenly.
- Slowly remove the circle from the bubble wrap, then allow the paint to dry completely.
- After the paint dries, place googly eyes near the boundary between the two colors.
- Attach the white circle as the mouth with glue.
- Lastly, glue the fins onto the sides of the pufferfish.