A creative “pretend play” Mason Jar Fishbowl idea! #gluedtomycrafts

I’m always brainstorming NEW and creative tutorials to present to you guys on Glued To My Crafts. My brain is ALWAYS spinning for that “next viral idea.”

So on one of my recent weekly trips to Michaels {where I gather most of my ideas that you see here} I came up with my latest Mason Jar Fishbowl kid craft idea, that has thumbprint fish “floating” in the inside.

And a quick side story – this is the only pet “fish” we are ever going to have in our home…. especially since we have had “carnival fish” twice now on separate occasions and BOTH TIMES, sadly, the fish did not survive.

I can safely say, if you make this fishbowl idea with your child today, you won’t have to worry about cleanup, feedings, or even floating dead fish. Perhaps you are like me and pretty content with that idea! ;-)

Without further ado – on to the DIY! Find the full tutorial below! Happy crafting, my friends!!! #gluedtomycrafts

Mason Jar Fishbowl Craft Supplies:

• Large Mason Jar {just keep in mind you need to get your hand inside to pass the finished thumbprint fish}
• Decorative Sand {I found mine in the floral section of Michaels}
• Styrofoam Block
• Colored Cardstock
• Craft Paint {any color you like!}
• Small Paper Plate
• Baby Wipes
• Extra Small Wiggle Eyes
• Markers
• Craft Scissors
• Hot Glue Gun
• Paper Straws

Directions:

• First you will want to make your thumbprint fish. Two to four fish is a good amount for one large mason jar, depending on the size of your thumbprints.
• Go ahead and squirt some paint on a paper plate and dip your thumb in it. Now take your paint covered thumb and press it on a single sheet of cardstock, multiple times, leaving space between each. Use the baby wipes to remove excess paint. Set aside your piece of cardstock to let it dry a bit.
• Now grab your mason jar, colored sand and styrofoam block. Trim down the styrofoam so it will fit inside the jar. It doesn’t need to be perfect, in fact I just used my scissors to “saw” it down.
• Place your block inside the jar and cover it & around with the decorative sand until completely covered. Set aside.
• Now back to the fish. Glue on a small wiggle eye and draw on some fish embellishments, to each, with the markers.
• Trim out each thumbprint fish with scissors.
• Get the glue gun hot and ready.
• Cut your paper straws down in size, so they fit inside the mason jar.
• Hot glue a thumbprint fish to each paper straw.
• Finally – and carefully – press your finished paper straws inside the mason jar/inside the styrofoam so they stand nicely. Adjust as needed.
• Then display your fishbowl as is or add other embellishments {like small seashells or sequins} to the bottom for added flair!

We also have a paper plate fishbowl craft that is pretty popular on Glued To My Crafts! Be sure to check it out, as well! #gluedtomycraftsinspiresyou