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Ocean Animal Coffee Filter Suncatcher Craft

Are you looking for fun ocean animal crafts for kids? Keep scrolling to find out how to make ocean animal coffee filter suncatchers that are super adorable.
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Do you have any ocean-themed crafts for kids on your to-do list? This is the perfect time of year to make some.

What better way to teach kids about animals living in our oceans than with a sea animal ocean craft that they can keep and decorate their room with?

The best part – it’s really easy! And you probably already have most of these items somewhere in your home.

Grab your coffee filters, markers, scissors, and colored paper, and have fun making these colorful suncatchers.

There are lots of different animals found in our oceans that you can make, and a few mythical creatures that are fun to imagine living in our ocean.

Let’s take a look at how to make your own ocean animal coffee filter suncatcher!

Easy Ocean Animal Crafts for Kids

Here are some easy directions to make these ocean crafts. Each of the animal silhouettes has a free pattern included so you can get right to crafting.

Mermaid Suncatcher

Make your own mermaid tail suncatcher with this fun DIY project for kids. Follow these steps to make the perfect window decoration for any room in your house!

Learn how to make a mermaid suncatcher by top Hawaii blog Hawaii Travel with Kids. Image of a mermaid tail suncatcher made with coffee filters.

These are especially cute crafts to make for a mermaid birthday party!

Sea Turtle Suncatcher

If your kids are learning about sea turtles, this is a super cute craft to go along with any sea turtle lesson plan.

Learn how to make a sea turtle suncatcher paper craft by top Hawaii blog Hawaii Travel with Kids. Image of a sea turtle paper craft.

You could also tie it into a Finding Nemo activity if you want to create Crush.

Starfish Suncatcher

This starfish suncatcher is really cute and would be fun to hang in a baby nursery or kid’s room that has a mermaid or ocean theme.

Learn how to make this starfish suncatcher craft from a coffee filter by top Hawaii blog Hawaii Travel with Kids. Image of someone holding a colorful starfish paper craft.

You could even make a bunch of these and create a suncatcher garland.

Seashell Suncatcher

This seashell suncatcher makes me think of The Little Mermaid!

Learn how to make a seashell suncatcher using a coffee filter. Image of a woman holding a colorful seashell paper craft.

It’s the perfect addition to any ocean craft activity for kids of all ages.

How to Make an Ocean Animal Coffee Filter Suncatcher

Would you like a fun and easy craft that is perfect for kids of all ages? In this post, we will show you how to make Ocean Animal Coffee Filter Suncatchers.

Follow along with the instructions below and grab your free template above so your little ones can have some creative fun!

Suncatcher Craft Supplies

These are the items you'll need to make a mermaid suncatcher: markers, colored paper, coffee filters, a spray bottle, and more.

Ocean Animal Coffee Filter Suncatcher Directions

STEP ONE

The first thing you’re going to do is flatten the round coffee filters. Then, add color in a variety of patterns with washable markers. We think pink, purple, green, and blue look best but use whatever colors you like!

Image of a coffee filter that has different colored marker colors on it.

Next, place your colorful coffee filters on a gallon-size zipper bag or metal baking sheet pan. This is to protect your table because you are going to mist them with a water spray bottle.

Image of someone misting a colorful coffee filter with a little spray bottle.

Watch the magic as the colors blend and swirl! Set aside the coffee filters to dry.

STEP TWO

While the coffee filters are drying, figure out which suncatcher you’d like to make and download the free pattern.

Print out the suncatcher templates on paper.

Print out the template patterns on computer paper. Next, you’ll cut out each frame shape with scissors.

To cut the inside of the pattern, pinch your pattern in half, cut a slit in the center, and then cut out the inside of the shape. Younger kiddos will need help with this step.

STEP THREE

After you have cut out your suncatcher frame template, trace two of each suncatcher pattern frame onto colored paper with a pencil and cut out with scissors.

Cut out your suncatcher pattern onto colored paper.

Place your suncatcher over top of the tie-dyed coffee filter until you are pleased with the pattern that shows through the frame.

Cut out your suncatcher template and position the coffee filter.

STEP FOUR

Attach the coffee filter to the first suncatcher frame with a glue stick. Then, you’ll flip it over and glue the second suncatcher frame so that it matches up with the first frame.

STEP FIVE

Finally, carefully cut away the excess tie-dyed coffee filter with scissors to make everything neat and pretty.

Cut away all the excess coffee filter so your suncatcher craft is nice and neat.

Hang up your suncatcher with a loop of string or double-sided tape to your sunniest window or door.

Final image of a starfish suncatcher with a seashell suncatcher and mermaid tail suncatcher in the background.

Ocean Animal Suncatchers FAQs

Do you need to use washable markers?

Yes, you will want washable markers so that they will blend together. Otherwise, it might not work as well.

Can I use any type of coffee filter?

Yeah, any type should work just fine! Make sure they are thin and kind of see-through, and they should work.

Can I make my own template?

Of course! If your kids prefer a shark, dolphin, or other ocean animal, you can always create your own design and have fun with it.

How do you make sun catchers with coffee filters?

All you need is some paper, a coffee filter, water, and washable markers and you can easily make this suncatcher craft. Color the coffee filter, spray it with water, and make your own shape with the paper.

Animal Coffee Filter Suncatcher Wrap-Up

Create these bright and colorful Coffee Filter Ocean Animal Suncatchers in just about 30 minutes with help from the kiddos! This activity teaches color theory and blending, plus works on tracing and cutting skills!

This sea animal ocean craft is so much fun! I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Yield: 4

Ocean Animal Coffee Filter Suncatcher Craft

Find out how to make ocean animal coffee filter suncatchers by top Hawaii blog Hawaii Travel with Kids. Image of a starfish, memaid tail, and seashell suncatcher.

Looking for an easy coffee filter craft for kids that's all about the ocean? Learn how to make coffee filter suncatchers in the shape of a sea turtle, seashell, starfish, and mermaid tail.

Active Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Difficulty Easy

Materials

  • Coffee Filters
  • Washable Markers, Pink, Purple, Green, Blue
  • Colored Paper, Blue, Green, Purple
  • Glue Sticks – Dollar Store
  • Gallon Size Zipper Bag OR Metal Baking Sheet Pan
  • Suncatcher Patterns

Tools

  • Scissors
  • Pencil
  • Water Spray Bottle

Instructions

  1. Flatten the round coffee filters and add color in a variety of patterns with washable markers in mermaid colors. Place on a gallon size zipper bag or metal baking sheet pan and then mist with a water spray bottle. Watch the magic as the colors blend and swirl! Set aside to dry.
  2. Download and print the suncatcher templates. Cut out each frame shape with scissors. Pinch patterns in half, cut a slit in the center, and then cut out the inside of the shape. Younger kiddos will need help with this step.
  3. Trace two of each suncatcher pattern frames onto colored paper with a pencil and cut out with scissors. Place
    suncatcher over top of tie-dyed coffee filter until you are pleased with the pattern that shows through the frame.
  4. Attach the coffee filter to the first suncatcher frame with a glue stick. Flip over and glue the second suncatcher frame so that it matches up with the first frame.
  5. Carefully cut away the excess tie-dyed coffee filter with scissors. Hang with a loop of string or double-sided tape to your sunniest window or door.

Looking for more ocean crafts and activities? Learn how to make a sea turtle lap book, under the sea matching game, sea life color by number printable, and sea turtle activities.

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