There’s something magical about closing a beloved picture book and then bringing its pages to life with your hands. If your little ones love The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister, you’re in for a treat. This paper plate & paint splatter craft turns a simple story time into a hands-on adventure filled with shimmering scales and one very happy fish.
It’s easy, affordable, and works beautifully whether you’re at the kitchen table, in a busy classroom, or at the library story corner. Best of all, the mess is part of the fun. Let’s dive in!
Craft Supplies:
Gather these simple supplies before you start. Most of them are probably already in your craft bin.
- 1 large, white paper plate
- Blue and teal Tulip puffy paint
- Multicolored metallic glitter (chunky confetti glitter works great)
- 1 large googly eye
- Light-blue construction paper (for the fins)
- Yellow paper (for the heart-shaped tail)
- Glue and/or a stapler
- Scissors
- Newspaper or a plastic mat to protect your table
Quick tip: Set out smocks or old t-shirts. Paint and glitter love to travel!
Directions:
Step 1: Do the Paint Splat!
This is where the magic happens – and it’s so satisfying! Fold your paper plate in half. Squirt a generous amount of blue and teal paint onto one side of the inside.
Fold the plate back together and press – squish, pat, and smoosh it all around so the paint spreads across the whole surface. When you open it back up, you’ll reveal a gorgeous, one-of-a-kind paint splat design. Every single one looks different, and that’s what makes it so fun.
Step 2: Add the Sparkly Scales
While the paint is still slightly wet, sprinkle a generous layer of multicolored metallic glitter over the left half of the plate. The damp paint helps the glitter stick, giving your fish those famous shimmering scales.
Step 3: Glue On the Googly Eye
Every fish needs to see where it’s swimming! Glue one large googly eye onto the right side of the plate, opposite the glitter. This side becomes your fish’s face. Press it down firmly and hold for a few seconds so it sticks well.
Step 4: Cut and Attach the Fins
Now for the fins. Using your light-blue construction paper, cut out three shapes:
- Dorsal fin: a curved shape for the top of the fish
- Ventral fin: a matching curved shape for the bottom
- Pectoral fin: a small trapezoid shape for the side
Attach the dorsal fin to the top edge of the plate and the ventral fin to the bottom edge. Add the pectoral fin to the left side. You can staple these on for extra strength or use glue if you prefer a no-staple version for younger crafters.
Step 5: Add the Mouth
Here’s a sweet finishing touch. Cut a heart shape out of your yellow paper. Attach it to the right edge of the plate so it points outward like his mouth. The heart shape is a lovely little nod to the kindness and friendship at the heart of the story.
And just like that, your Rainbow Fish is complete!
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The best part of this craft is pairing it with the book itself. Read The Rainbow Fish aloud, then let the kids create their own shiny friend. Afterward, hang the finished fish on a wall or window to make your very own “ocean.” You could even ask each child to share one kind thing they’d do for a friend, just like the Rainbow Fish did.
Give this craft a try at your next story time, and watch your little ones light up as their sparkly fish comes to life. Happy crafting, my friends!
