Cute Paper Dolphin Craft with Free Printable Template!

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If your kids love dolphins, then they are going to love making their own with this cute Paper Dolphin Craft! Using the free printable template to cut the dolphin pieces from construction paper, simply glue to assemble and they’ll have a dolphin friend without having to step foot in the ocean!

Cute Paper Dolphin Craft with Free Printable Template!

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Paper Dolphin Craft

This sweet under the sea craft is great for improving those cutting skills, learning how to follow instructions, and an opportunity to talk about different creatures that live in the ocean.

To make a paper dolphin, all you will need is some construction/craft paper, scissors, glue, and our free printable template.

Once assembled, you can use the Dolphin for roleplaying, learning about the creature (check our facts below to get you started!), building an aquarium or ocean scene, or hanging from the ceiling!

Facts About Dolphins

  • Dolphins can be found all over the world and live in different environments, both fresh water and marine water.
  • There are nearly 40 different dolphin species.
  • The most well-known and recognized is the bottlenose dolphin – that’s our dolphin craft!
  • Orcas, also known as killer whales are actually dolphins – the largest of the species.
  • The Amazon river is home to four species of river dolphin that are found nowhere else on Earth.
  • The Māui dolphin are only found off the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island, and are now one of the rarest and smallest dolphin in the world.
  • Dolphins like to blow bubbles – it helps them to catch their food!
  • They love to talk by making a variety of sounds including whistles, clicks, squawks, squeaks, moans, barks, groans and yelps. 
  • Dolphins are highly intelligent, and their brains are surprisingly similar to humans.
  • They can recognize themselves in a mirror!
  • A group of dolphins is called a pod. Some dolphins can live in a group of 1000 or more called a super pod.
  • Dolphins are mammals and need to return to the surface to breathe.
  • They are carnivores and eat fish, squid, and crustaceans.
  • Dolphins have very few natural enemies and sadly, their main enemy is humans.
Paper Dolphin Craft

Materials & Tools Used in This Craft

The full list of materials, tools, and instructions are found in the printable tutorial card at the end of this post. I highly recommend reading the blog post all the way through before starting this project to ensure that you have everything required and understand the steps and timings involved.

You may have several standard craft supplies at home already, but I’ve included links to Amazon below for your convenience.

  • Construction Paper in the following suggested colors: Dark Gray, Light Gray, White
  • Scissors
  • Glue Stick
  • Dolphin Printable Template
  • You will find the template download links before the tutorial card and surrounded by a purple box. Tap the purple download buttons to save the file(s) to your device.
  • Printables are available in two paper sizes – A4 and US Letter (8.5″ x 11″). Download the size that is appropriate for your printer.

TOP TIP! Print my craft templates in advance and store them in a folder so that you can grab them at a moment’s notice.

Speaking of a moment’s notice, a box of basic craft supplies is also a good thing to have on hand so you can get started on projects without worrying if you have the right stuff!

I’ve compiled a list of craft basics that I think everyone should have – you’ll find them in tips section further down this page. You don’t have to get ALL the things all at once, but building your craft stash will make life a lot easier when the kids are stuck indoors or want to make something last minute!

Build-a-Dolphin - Fun Under the Sea Paper Craft

More Under The Sea Crafts

This Dolphin paper craft is just one of a collection of fun under the sea paper crafts! Here are the others for you to do after this one:

  1. Angelfish
  2. Blue Whale
  3. Blue Crab
  4. Blue Tang Fish
  5. Dolphin
  6. Jellyfish
  7. Lionfish
  8. Lobster
  9. Octopus
  10. Oyster & Starfish
  11. Pelican – by the sea rather than under it!
  12. Puffer Fish
  13. Scuba Boy
  14. Scuba Girl
  15. Seagull – by the sea rather than under it!
  16. Seahorse
  17. Sea Turtle
  18. Shark
  19. Sperm Whale
  20. Squid
  21. Stingray
  22. Submarine

We have created more than 100+ Free Printables for you to download and use. They include seasonal crafts, decorations, puzzles, coloring sheets, and more! Right-click and open a new tab to read next.

Dolphin Craft Tips

  • Print the template onto the suggested colored construction paper and cut the pieces out. (But you could use any colors you want!)
  • Why not experiment with different color combinations and make an aquarium full of colorful dolphins?
  • If construction paper won’t go through your printer, you could print onto regular paper and trace around the pieces onto the colored paper/card. You will have to add any detail with a black marker pen.
  • Another option is to print onto white paper and color the pieces in with crayons, pens, paints, or pencils.
  • Or what about making this Dolphin using craft foam? You will have to add any detail with a black marker pen.
  • Cut all the pieces out and lay them where they should go before sticking them down with glue.
  • An optional extra is adding glitter: apply white school glue to the parts you want to add some sparkle, sprinkle glitter on top, shake off the excess and leave to dry.
  • You could also use other embellishments like googly eyes, or sequins to bring this craft to life.
  • If you want to hang up your completed Dolphin you could use a piece of ribbon or string to form a hanging loop and stick to the back (or you could punch a hole at the top and thread the ribbon/string through).
  • Why not use a variety of blue paints to create a water background to mount the paper Dolphin onto?
  • If you plan on making more under-the-sea creatures from this series, you could even paint a large ocean background using a roll of plain/lining paper from the DIY store!
  • Included in the printable are bubbles of various sizes – use these in your artwork as you wish.
Under the Sea Dolphin Paper Craft

Download the Dolphin Template

Click the download link to save the printable file(s) to your computer.
The Shop opens in a new tab/window.

Visit The Purple Pumpkin Shop for both premium and FREE printables that you won’t find on my main blog!

How Do I Make a Paper Dolphin?

Just check out the how-to card below with full materials, tools, instructions, and demonstration photos. You can print the card out too (don’t worry, the pics don’t print to save your ink!).

Paper Dolphin Craft

Paper Dolphin Craft

Yield: 1
Active Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty: Beginner

This cheeky dolphin is super easy to make, you just need some construction paper and few other simple craft supplies and you’re ready to go!

Materials

  • Construction Paper in the following suggested colors: Dark Gray, Light Gray, White
  • Free Printable Template (link in blog post)

Tools

  • Scissors
  • Glue Stick

Instructions

  1. Download the dolphin template and print it onto the suggested color construction paper. Additional bubble template is included to use as you wish.
  2. Cut the pieces out.

    Cut Paper Dolphin Pieces
  3. Lay the pieces in the correct order before sticking them down with a glue stick.

    Glued Paper Dolphin Pieces
  4. Leave to dry before using (mounting, using role-play, or hanging up).

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  5. Optional - paint a blue ocean background onto a larger piece of paper to mount the dolphin onto!

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