Make This Fun Paper Squid Craft with Construction Paper!

Home » CREATE » Crafts » Under the Sea Crafts » Make This Fun Paper Squid Craft with Construction Paper!

Here is a fun Paper Squid Craft to make with the kids to learn about life in the ocean – without getting wet! The supplies you’ll need are super inexpensive and kid-friendly, too. Just gather some construction paper, glue, and (of course!) our free printable template and make a whole rainbow of paper squid!

Make This Fun Paper Squid Craft with Construction Paper!

Affiliate Disclosure
We have included affiliate links to products and services related to the topic of this post.
We may earn a commission if you purchase after clicking on those links.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Read Our Full Disclosure Policy and Privacy Policy

Paper Squid Craft

This cool 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 squid, all you will need is some construction/craft paper, scissors, glue, and our free printable template.

Once assembled, you can use the Squid 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 Squid

  • Squid are cephalopods like octopuses and cuttlefish.
  • Squid have long bodies, 2 big eyes, 3 hearts, 8 arms, and 2 tentacles. Only the tentacles have suckers.
  • They have a soft body but do have a small rod-like skeleton.
  • Squid can change their color for camouflage; some are bioluminescent which means they can give off their own light, and some squid shoots out ink to distract their predators.
  • They eat fish, crustaceans, and smaller squid.
  • There are around 500 species of squid.
  • Most squid are no more than 60 centimetres (24 in) long, although the giant squid may reach 13 metres (43 ft). The giant squid’s eyeballs are the size of a soccer ball!
  • But there are even bigger squid! In February 2007, a New Zealand fishing vessel caught a colossal squid weighing 495 kilograms (1,091 lb) and measuring around 10 metres (33 ft) off the coast of Antarctica.
  • Squid have featured in literature since classical times, especially in tales of giant squid and sea monsters. You can see why!
  • Squid is used in cuisines around the world, often known as calamari.
Paper Squid 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 Purple, Light Purple, White
  • Scissors
  • Glue Stick
  • Squid 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-Squid - Fun Ocean Craft

More Under The Sea Crafts

This Squid 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.

Squid 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 Squid?
  • 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 Squid 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 Squid 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 Squid 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.
Super Cute Squid Paper Craft

Download the Squid 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 Squid?

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!).

blank

Paper Squid Craft

Michelle Ordever
This cute squid is super easy to make, you just need some construction paper and few other simple craft supplies and you’re ready to go!
No ratings yet
Active Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Materials

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

TOOLS

Instructions
 

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


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


    blank
  • Leave to dry before using (mounting, using role-play, or hanging up.)


    Assembled Paper Squid Pieces
  • Optional – paint a blue ocean background onto a larger piece of paper to mount the squid onto!

    blank
Did you make this project? Share it!Tag @_ThePurplePumpkinBlog on Instagram with the hashtag #TPPBCreate!

Please Share This Post!