Crab Canvas Craft
Did you know that there are more than 4,500 species of crabs? Explore fun painting techniques while creating these super simple and adorable little crabs!
Materials
Paint
Red Foam Sheets
Canvas
Wiggly Eyes
Red Fuzzy Sticks
Scissors
Glue
Instructions
Step 1.
Gather your materials. For this craft, you will need a canvas and some paint & brushes, red foam and fuzzy sticks, and wiggly eyes.
Step 1.
Gather your materials. For this craft, you will need a canvas and some paint & brushes, red foam and fuzzy sticks, and wiggly eyes.
Step 2.
Paint your canvas using thick brush strokes of multiple colors of blue paint. Don’t be afraid to make brush strokes in different directions, or to layer on more shades while the paint is wet. The colors will mix and layer, creating a fun wavy looking texture.
Step 2.
Paint your canvas using thick brush strokes of multiple colors of blue paint. Don’t be afraid to make brush strokes in different directions, or to layer on more shades while the paint is wet. The colors will mix and layer, creating a fun wavy looking texture.
Step 3.
Repeat this process with tan and brown paints. Create your own colors and shades!
Step 3.
Repeat this process with tan and brown paints. Create your own colors and shades!
Step 4.
Use a sponge brush to layer on thick dabs of white paint where the blue and tan meet. This will give the texture of crashing beach waves!
Step 4.
Use a sponge brush to layer on thick dabs of white paint where the blue and tan meet. This will give the texture of crashing beach waves!
Step 5.
Cut a half circle out of red foam.
Step 5.
Cut a half circle out of red foam.
Step 6.
Cut a red fuzzy stick into 6 equal sections.
Step 6.
Cut a red fuzzy stick into 6 equal sections.
Step 7.
Glue the fuzzy sticks to the back of the foam, 3 on each side, and 2 on the top.
Step 7.
Glue the fuzzy sticks to the back of the foam, 3 on each side, and 2 on the top.
Step 8.
Glue wiggly eyes to the front of the top 2 fuzzy sticks. Bend the 3 on each side slightly about halfway through, and add a smile!
Step 8.
Glue wiggly eyes to the front of the top 2 fuzzy sticks. Bend the 3 on each side slightly about halfway through, and add a smile!
Step 9.
Glue your crabs to your painted canvas, or use them to play pretend in a fun beach scene!
Step 9.
Glue your crabs to your painted canvas, or use them to play pretend in a fun beach scene!
Teacher's Corner
From squishy foam shells to fuzzy stick crab legs, and even painted ocean waves —explore sensory and fine motor skills with this ocean-themed craft!
Lesson Objectives
Crab-u-lous Craft: Give your students creative freedom as they paint their seashore canvas! Let them discover all kinds of brushstrokes and textures using different brushes, like sponge-tip and bristles. Which one do they prefer?
Claw-some Crabs: Strengthen those fine motor skills by bending fuzzy sticks and cutting foam to create cute crabs. It’s not only great practice to glue each fuzzy leg, wiggly eye, and foam shell, but each students’ creative touch will make a one-of-a-kind masterpiece too!
Follow-up Discussion
Did you know there are more than 4,500 species of crabs? Oceans and their surrounding shores are filled with crawling creatures, like the Christmas Island Red Crab! Explore their bright-colored shells and amazing migration pattern across Christmas Island!
Related Products
Related Projects
Cardboard Tube Alligator Canvas
Seashell Turtle and Crab Magnets
Fuzzy Butterfly Canvas
Magnetic Beach Puzzles