Ocean animals captivate children with the unusual characteristics they exhibit. Art projects allow children to recreate their favorite sea-dwelling creatures in a creative format. Underwater art projects work well as a supplement to classroom study on the ocean or as a fun activity at home. Adjust activities to fit the ages and interests of the participants.
Watercolor Resist Pictures
Provide the students with a piece of white paper, blue watercolor paint and white crayons. Instruct them to draw an underwater scene with ocean animals using the white crayon. Encourage older students to add more detail and draw realistic-looking sea life. Have each child use blue watercolor paint to cover his entire page, including the scene drawn with the white crayon. The areas drawn with crayon resist the watercolor paint, making the picture appear. Blue tempera paint that is watered down works as an alternative to the watercolor paint. For added interest, have the kids draw the pictures in white and then exchange them with one another. This adds to the excitement since they won't know what the scene looks like until they finish painting it.
Another option is to use a large sheet of white butcher paper to create a group mural with this technique. Allow each student to contribute to the mural by drawing animals and adding the paint. Hang the group mural on a classroom wall. The group mural works well as a backdrop for a skit or presentation about sea life for older children.
Papier-Mache Ocean Animals
Use the papier-mache technique to create three-dimensional ocean animals. Mix one part flour to two parts water to create the papier-mache paste. Cut strips of newspaper, dip the strips into the flour paste and smooth them onto an inflated balloon. Cover the surface of the balloon with a layer of the strips and allow each layer to dry completely before adding the next. Make at least three layers. Pop the balloon inside when all layers are dry. Determine the type of ocean animal to be created with the balloon shape--possibly a fish, an octopus or a whale. Paint the papier-mache project in an appropriate color, adding details to the ocean animal. Use construction paper or streamers to add fins, tails or tentacles, depending on the type of animal you are creating.
For older children, use the ocean animals to create an underwater scene in the room. Tape a piece of string to the top of the shape and suspend the animal from the ceiling. Drape blue streamers along the ceiling to resemble waves. Encourage the kids to create other decorations for the room to add to the ocean feel.
Ocean Animal Collage
Create an ocean collage. Gather items such as tissue paper, glitter, blue paint, decorative paper in different patterns, buttons, confetti and beads. Provide each participant with an artist's canvas, square of cardboard or poster board. Instruct the kids to use any of the materials to create an ocean scene including animals. Leave it as an open-ended art project to encourage the use of imagination. Because of the free form nature of this project, both younger and older children find enjoyment in it.
