Rocking Paper Crab Craft: Learn how to make the Rocking Paper Crab Craft with our step-by-step tutorial! Summer is the perfect time for kids to make crab crafts. Our playful paper crab, is super fun and easy, combining both learning and creativity. Children will decorate and piece the crab template together like a puzzle, exploring symmetry in craft to make the crab perfectly balanced. Once the crab craft is balanced, it will rock and ‘scuttle’ from side to side!
For children visiting the beach this summer, exploring under the sea and ocean animal topic, this cute and easy crab craft will be the perfect addition to any homeschool or classroom project.
Table of contents
- Rocking Paper Crab Craft: Creativity and Learning
- How to Make the Rocking Paper Crab Craft:
- Not a Member?
- Easy Paper Crab Craft Step by Step Video Tutorial:
- Let’s Make a Paper Crab!
- The Rocking Paper Crab Craft is Complete
- More Under the Sea Craft for Kids:
Rocking Paper Crab Craft: Creativity and Learning
The first half of the paper craft is all about creativity, as children get to grips with painting their crab and adding detail. Crabs come in all sorts colors and shades. Perhaps children could research crabs and try to recreate their favorite, adding pattens and marks for a unique finish.
Then learning is made fun in the second half of our easy rocking paper crab craft. Children will get an engaging and interactive introduction to STEM subjects, as they use basic shapes to build a 3D craft that incorporates balance, maths and careful attention to detail. Throughout the project, we encourage Arty Crafty Kids to test their crabs for balance.
How to Make the Rocking Paper Crab Craft:
Materials:
- Paint or an Alternative Coloring Medium
- White Card Stock for Printing
- White Pen or Pencil
- Scissors
- Glue Stick
Download the Rocking Paper Crab Template:
The ‘Rocking Paper Crab’ 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/rocking-crab-template/
Not a Member?
Easy Paper Crab Craft Step by Step Video Tutorial:
Let’s Make a Paper Crab!
Cut out the Crab Elements from the Template
Once the crab template is all colored in, carefully cut out the elements.
Before assembling the crab ask your Arty Crafty Kids to arrange the pieces. This crab craft is all about balance and each side will need to have an even number of legs and claws. This is a very simple way of introducing the concept of symmetry to children.
Fold the Crabs Body in Half
To begin assembling the craft, fold the large oval in half. This will become the crabs rocking body.
Rock the Crabs Body
Once folded, check the body rocks!
Add Detail to the Crabs Body
Use a contrasting color to add detail to the crabs body. If you have ever looked at a crab up close or held one, their shells are covered in interesting little markings.
Assemble the Crab Claws and Affix to the Body
Next, affix each claw to a wide rectangle shape and then secure the other end to the crabs body as shown above.
As your Arty Crafty Kids assemble their crabs, with each pair of body parts, check the crab is balanced and rocks!
Assemble the Crab Legs
Layer the crabs legs and slightly fan them out. Secure each on top of the other with glue!
Fun Crab Trivia: An astute crab enthusiast will notice we’re missing a pair of legs. Crabs, if we include their grasping claws have ten legs, eight are for walking. Crabs legs can take different forms and it can be difficult to identify all ten. For example, some are modified mouthparts…. More Crab Facts!
Affix Both Sets of Crab Legs
Once both sets of legs are assembled, glue each set to the inside of the crabs shell, positioned just below the claw.
Again, conduct a balance check! if the legs hinder the rocking movement, gently fold the legs forward.
Assemble the Crab Eyes and Affix to the Body
Attach the large eyes to the remaining rectangle shapes and secure to to the middle of the crabs body.
The Rocking Paper Crab Craft is Complete
Now it’s time for the crab to rock as if it’s scuttling along the surface! I hope your Arty Crafty Kids have enjoyed making the Rocking Paper Crab Craft – as always, we love to see their creations. If you share the craft on social media, do give us a tag!
And if you love this rocking craft concept like we do, take a look at our Rocking Paper Bird Craft.
More Under the Sea Craft for Kids:
We love under the sea topic have a big variety of fun and easy under the crafts for kids to try. Take a look at some of our most popular ocean crafts.
