How to Make a Paper Mache Fish

Ready to learn how to make a paper mache fish? This project is a great summer craft for kids of all ages as you can adjust the difficulty as you go.

Our step-by-step guide will take you through constructing the fish’s body using a balloon as the base and adding all the necessary parts.

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Love summer and all the joy that comes with it? Have kids color our extensive collection of fish coloring pages; we think they’ll love the designs!

They can also be inspired when creating the fish’s fins and tails.

We love the paper mache technique – it transforms simple materials into stunning works of art. And it’s frugal!

You can bring your colorful fish to life with just a few basic supplies and some creativity.

Ready? Let’s start!

How to Make Paper Mache Fish

What you need:

• paper mache glue (we have the best paper mache glue recipes)
• large balloon
• tape (masking tape, duct tape, sellotape – anything goes)
• cardstock or cardboard
• newspaper or old magazines
• craft foam ball
• scissors
• pencil
• paints and brushes
• knife
• artificial eyelashes (optional)
• black marker (optional)
• yarn or a piece of rope

Step by Step Tutorial

The first thing to do is to make paper mache glue if you’re not using store-bought glue (homemade glue is so easy to make, don’t waste your money on store bought).

The Body

Blow up a giant balloon to the desired size for the fish’s body and seal the balloon’s lip with masking tape.

The Fins and Tail

Draw fins and tail on paper, then trace the parts onto cardboard.

Cut out the traced pieces.

You should have a dorsal fin, pelvic fin, two pectoral fins, and a tail.

Shape the fish by attaching the cardboard tail parts with masking tape.

We glued the tail to the part where the balloon’s lip was positioned.

Use additional cardstock cutouts as fins.

Secure them in place using masking tape.

Make sure the balloon is securely attached to the cardboard tail and fins.

The Eyes

Cut the craft foam ball in half using a knife.

Place the halves on the front part of the fish in between the pectoral fins using masking tape.

The Mouth

Cut out a piece of cardboard and create a ring.

Seal it with masking tape.

Use masking tape to position the mouth slightly lower and in the middle of the eyes.

We’re ready to apply the first layer of paper mache.

Tear newspaper or old magazines into strips or small pieces and start gluing them all over the fish.

Repeat the process by applying the strips to the surface of the fish’s body, overlapping them slightly to create a smooth layer.

Let the fish dry completely.

It may take several hours or overnight, depending on the thickness of the paste and the humidity in the air.

We can start painting the fish once the paper mache is completely dry.

Choose whatever colors your kids desire.

We wanted to create pretty eyes for our fish, so we first painted them white.

Use a fine paintbrush to add eye details, such as pupils and irises.

Outline the eyes and the mouth with black paint to make them stand out.

We painted the inside of the mouth red.

The Scales

Use a pencil to mark the fish’s scales, fins, and tail details.

Paint the scales in different shades of blue.

Paint the fins and the tail in the same fashion.

The Eyelashes

Glue on the artificial eyelashes to make the eyes cute.

You have successfully colored your paper mache fish.

The Outlines

It’s time to create outlines to make the fish neat!

Outline every scale with black paint.

You can use a black marker to make the scale outlining easier.

We outlined the fins and the tail too!

The Yarn

Make a hole at the top of a dorsal fin and thread a piece of yarn or rope through it.

You’re all done!

We love how our papier-mâché fish turned out!

You can proudly display or use your fish as a decorative element in your home or classroom.

Make as many as you want in different shapes and colors!