Do you have a crafty child who loves the ocean? We’ve got the perfect craft for them! Introducing the Moving Eyes Shark Craft, a paper toy that provides hours of creative play.
The Moving Eyes Shark Craft is a great way for young children to engage their imaginations. The puppetry element of the craft encourages play and has the potential to bring story-time to life.
The shark’s eyes move side to side, up and down and can produce a complete sassy eye roll! While the craft is super fun to play with, it’s also really easy to make, using only a few basic supplies.
So if you’re planning time at the beach, a trip to the sea life center or getting involved with shark week, this is the perfect Summer craft for your Arty Crafty Kids to enjoy!
How to Make a Moving Eyes Shark Craft:
Before we dive into the tutorial, we have lots of ways for shark obsessed kids to incorporate shark-themed crafts into their day or make the most of shark week.
They can learn how to draw a shark, make a 3D shark, create cool shark silhouette art or gift a home-made shark card to someone special (often the craft of choice for Father’s Day!).
Materials:
- White Card Stock for Printing
- Gray Card Stock
- A Coloring Medium
- Glue Stick
- Scissors
How to Download the Moving Eyes Shark Template:
The Moving Eyes Shark Template is available to members of the Arty Crafty Kids club.
Members will need to log in to access the templates: https://www.artycraftykids.com/product/moving-eyes-shark-template/
Not a Member?
Watch the Video Tutorial
Let’s Make a Moving Eyes Shark Puppet!
Color in the Shark Template
Using a favorite coloring medium, color in the shark!
Carefully Cut out the Shark and Remove the Eye Holes
Next, carefully cut out the shark and remove the eye holes (an adult may need to help).
To remove the eye holes, carefully fold the shark along the scissor illustrations within the eyes – be careful not to create a crease – and gently snip a small hole along the fold.
Insert the scissors into the hole and remove the eyes.
Cut out the Rectangular Eyes
Cut out the eye box!
Create 3 Paper Strips
Cut one strip lengthwise from a sheet of gray A4 card – it needs to be the same thickness as the rectangle eyes on the template.
Next, cut two more thin strips of card, each three or four inches long.
Glue the Eyes to the Strip
Glue the eyes to the middle of the gray strip.
Glue the Supporting Strips
Turn the shark’s head over and glue the supporting strips across each eye.
Due to the shape of the shark’s head, the strips will need to be secured in a slightly diagonal position.
Make sure that glue is applied to only the ends of each strip!
Thread the Eye Strip
Now carefully slide the strip of eyes underneath the two thin support strips – be gentle!
The Moving Eyes Shark is Ready for Play!
The eyes are ready to roll! I hope your Arty Crafty Kids have a wonderful time creating silly faces with their shark puppets. Perhaps they could add silly voices or make up a fun story to bring their character to life!
However your kids engage with this moving eyes craft, we would love to see their creativity in action! Tag us on social media or add the hashtag #artycraftykids to your post.
More Moving Eyes Crafts for Kids
If your kids loved our shark craft, they’ll adore our other moving eyes crafts! We’ve got everything from Spring to forest animals, popular Christmas and Halloween characters, and so much more. Each one is sure to bring a smile to your child’s face.
