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3D Paper Dolphin Craft for Kids

May 14, 2020 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Atlanta is home to the Georgia Aquarium – one of the largest indoor aquariums in the world.

We’ve gotten to take our children there a few times and they were always thrilled to see such incredible marine animals up close.

One of the attractions there is a live dolphin show, which we got to attend. And that was when I learned that dolphins are incredible creatures.

They can be trained to do amazing stunts, they communicate with one another, and they are extremely intelligent.

Plus, they’re beautiful to look at.

I thought a dolphin-themed art activity would be a nice summer project for the kids, so here’s a 3D paper dolphin craft you can make with little ones!

Fun 3D Dolphin Craft for Kids

This is such a cool art project, because it stands up on its own. So kids can keep it after they’re done.

(Between you and me, our refrigerator door simply cannot hold any more works of art.)

Paper 3D Dolphin Craft for Kids

Get the full dolphin craft instructions below!

And, for another ocean art project, try our Coffee Filter Jellyfish Craft!

Make this fun and easy 3D paper dolphin craft for a fun art project to share with kids! Great for a summer art activity!

What Supplies Do You Need to Make a 3D Paper Dolphin Craft?

What I like the most about this dolphin craft is that you don’t need anything fancy to make it.

You probably already have the supplies from working on other crafts. No last-minute shopping trip needed!

Easy and Fun 3D Paper Dolphin Craft

To make this 3D paper dolphin craft, you’ll need the following: (This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

  • Printer (with ink)
  • Printer Paper
  • Printable 3D Paper Dolphin Template
  • Ballpoint pen or pencil
  • Child-safe scissors
  • Construction paper
  • Glue stick
3D Dolphin Paper Craft Supplies

Start by downloading the Paper Dolphin Craft template. You’ll need this to print the shapes for making the dolphin.

After you’ve downloaded the printable, print it out on white paper. Then use scissors to cut out each piece.

How to Make a 3D Paper Dolphin Craft

Now it’s time to get crafting!

Use a pencil or a pen to trace each of the template shapes onto colored paper.

In this project, we used aqua for the body and inner fin, white for the belly, and green for the outer fin.

But you and the kids can use any color you like.

Simple 3D Paper Dolphin Craft

After you’ve traced each shape, cut it out.

If you’re using white for the belly, you can just keep the template shape you’ve cut instead of tracing it again.

How to Make a 3D Paper Dolphin

Start by gluing the belly onto the bottom curve of the dolphin’s “body”.

Making a Simple Paper Dolphin Craft

Stack the inner fin piece on top of the outer fin piece and glue it in the center of the dolphin’s side – on top of the belly.

Easy Paper Dolphin Craft for Kids

Glue the dolphin’s “eye” onto the head.

Add a shy smile with the ink pen, if you like.

Easy Paper Dolphin to Make With Kids

Now it’s time to make the “ocean”.

Trace the ocean template shape onto blue paper and trace a couple of the “waves” onto light blue paper. Cut them all out.

Fold the blue ocean paper in half horizontally. Then glue the waves onto the bottom edge of the “ocean”.

Cute Paper Dolphin Craft for Kids

Almost done!

Glue the dolphin onto the folded center line of the “ocean”. Make sure that the folded line squares with the dolphin’s middle.

The top of the dolphin should appear above the folded line.

How to Make a Dolphin 3D Craft

Fold the ocean in half again to make a triangular stand and you’re done!

Fun Dolphin Craft to Make with Kids

See how the dolphin stands up?

Simple 3D Paper Dolphin Craft for Kids

Let the kids make an entire pod of different-colored dolphins!

Easy 3D Paper Dolphin for Kids to Make

Don’t miss these other easy crafts for kids to make!

Make this easy toilet paper roll lion craft with the kids for a fun art activity!
This simple coffee filter jellyfish craft is a perfect easy summer craft for kids! Make a few with your little ones this summer!
Share an easy summer craft with the kids and make this easy paper ladybug craft! So fun for little hands!

Filed Under: Crafts Tagged With: crafts, crafts for kids, dolphins

Books about Dolphins for Kids

July 28, 2016 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

We’ve been learning about dolphins lately and I wanted to add a few more great books about dolphins for the kids to enjoy.

So – here are several books about dolphins for kids that are filled with fascinating facts, beautiful pictures, and learning ideas to help your children get to know these marine mammals!

If you want to try more ocean-themed learning resources for your kids, check out our list of 25 beach crafts and our roundup of summer books for kids!

Books about Dolphins for Kids

Books about Dolphins for Kids

This post contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.

1. Dolphins – Step Into Reading!

2. How to Speak Dolphin in Three Easy Lessons

3. Everything Dolphin: What Kids Really Want to Know about Dolphins

4. In My Ocean

5. Amazing Dolphins (I Can Read Level 2)

6. Dolphins: Amazing Pictures & Fun Facts on Animals in Nature

7. Hope for Winter: The True Story of a Remarkable Dolphin Friendship

8. How to Speak Dolphin

9. Dolphin Baby!

10. Dolphins at Daybreak (Magic Tree House #9)

Dolphin Books for Kids to Read

11. Winter’s Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned to Swim Again

12. National Geographic Kids: Everything Dolphins

13. I Can Read: Dolphin

14. National Geographic Readers: Dive, Dolphin!

15. Smithsonian: Dolphins

16. Sharks and Dolphins: A Compare and Contrast Book

17. DK Readers Level 1: Diving Dolphin

18. Do Dolphins Really Smile? (Penguin Young Readers, Level 3)

19. Amazing Animals: Dolphins

20. Wild Sea Creatures: Sharks, Whales, and Dolphins! (Wild Kratts)

Kids Books about Dolphins

Learn even more about dolphins with our Dolphins Unit Study!

Dolphin Facts for Kids

Don’t miss these other kids’ book lists!

Books about Turtles for Kids

The Best Beach Books for Kids

And be sure to follow our Reading for Kids board on Pinterest for more great book lists!

Fun Science Experiements Every Month

Filed Under: Book Lists, Reading Tagged With: book lists, books for kids, dolphin books, dolphins, dolphins unit, reading, reading for kids

Dolphin Facts for Kids

July 22, 2016 by Selena Robinson 6 Comments

Remember Flipper? That was the first time I found out that dolphins are super intelligent, which made me want to learn more about them. 🙂

My kids love dolphins too! We’ve gotten to see them up close a few times in the past and they really are smart and sociable. But there’s more to dolphins than that! So I put together a few resources for a dolphin unit study. Use the resources below to learn even more dolphin facts for kids!

Dolphin Facts for Kids

Dolphin Facts for Kids

Watch the YouTube video about dolphins and have your kids answer the following questions.

  1. Are dolphins fish? (Answer: No, dolphins are mammals.)
  2. How do dolphins breathe? (Answer: Through a blowhole on the top of their head)
  3. How many species of dolphin are there? (Answer: Over 40 worldwide)
  4. What do dolphins eat? (Answer: Fish and squid)
  5. What kind of personality do dolphins have? (Answer: They are friendly and extremely playful.)
  6. How long do dolphins live? (Answer: Some have lived for over a hundred years.)

Dolphin Crafts for Kids

Share these fun dolphin crafts and activities with your kids!

  1. Dolphin Coloring Pages – Itsy Bitsy Fun
  2. Diving Dolphin Craft – Activity Village
  3. Felt Dolphin Craft – Wildflower Ramblings
  4. Hand Print Dolphin – School Time Snippets

Dolphin Books for Kids

These dolphin books are fun for kids to read during your dolphin unit!

  1. Island of the Blue Dolphins
  2. Little Dolphin Finger Puppet Book
  3. Dolphin Talk: Whistles, Clicks, and Clapping Jaws
  4. Oceans: Dolphins, Sharks, Penguins, and More

Get to know other marine animals with my free Sea Monster Notebooking Pages!

Free Sea Monster Notebooking Pages

And don’t miss these beach books for kids!

The Best Beach Books for Kids

Plus, get more ideas for unit studies on my Homeschool Unit Studies board on Pinterest!

This post is part of the Dolphin Unit Study roundup! Read more fun dolphin posts below!

Ocean Animals Letter Find Worksheets from 3 Boys and a Dog

10 Awesome Children’s Books about Ocean Animals from Crafty Mama in ME

Dolphin Facts for Kids from Look! We’re Learning!

Ocean Creatures Sight Word Puzzles from Simple Fun for Kids

Jellyfish Discovery Bottle from Schooling a Monkey

Picture Books about Ocean Animals from The Jenny Evolution

Sea Turtle Unit from Bambini Travel

Free Ocean Coloring Pages from Something 2 Offer

Ocean Sticker Art – Erasable Wall Decal from Artsy Momma

Ocean Animals Shadow Matching Cards from Preschool Powol Packets

Meet the Real Ocean Animals in Finding Dory from FrogMom

The Best Ocean Animals Preschool Fun from Natural Beach Living


Filed Under: Unit Studies Tagged With: dolphin facts for kids, dolphin unit study, dolphins, facts for kids, homeschool unit studies, unit studies

Hi! I'm Selena, a teacher and a veteran homeschool mom to four. I'm so glad you're here!
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