In my last post I shared a collection of mermaid read-aloud books and follow-up activities to use with elementary kids. In this follow-up post I’m sharing some additional resources and supplies to go with the books. I’ve researched everything from mermaid costume elements for the reader to craft supplies and reading buddies for the students, along with instructions and printables for all of the activities. Note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links so if you use the link and make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no cost to you.
Mermaid Wearables
- Glitter and Glam Seashell Necklace or Bracelet – requires seashells, white glue and small brushes, glitter and/or gems, and satin cord or elastic cord attached with a low-temp glue gun (for safety). Students brush the front of a shell with layer of white glue and add some bling, then hot glue a cord to the back for a dazzling necklace or bracelet. Watch this video for more information, keeping in mind that you’ll need to adjust your cord length for jewelry. You can also get satin necklace cords with clasps attached as well.
- Mermaid Crowns – requires a base for the crown, markers, seashells, white glue, glitter and/or adhesive gems, scissors, and a stapler. If you have the budget you can use a store-bought tiara as your base, but as a public school teacher I’m going with the less expensive option of printing a seashell crown template onto white cardstock for students to cut out and decorate. If you’re not afraid of the mess you can provide glitter paint and brushes, but we’ll be making do with double-ended washable markers!
- Mermaid Costume Elements – I plan to have fun by wearing a bright blue mermaid wig and sparkling starfish headband,and a mermaid tail blanket to drape over my legs while I read. I can also let the students take turns wearing the blanket in the reading area.
Mermaid Building Projects
- Mermaid Castle – requires building supplies of your choice. This could be cardboard boxes, wooden blocks, playdoh or clay, magnetic blocks, or whatever you choose. We have access to lots of LEGOs and KEVA planks at my school so that’s what we’ll be using.
- Mermaid Sand Castle – requires kinetic sand, which you can purchase, or you can make your own by thoroughly mixing together 8 cups of all-purpose flour with 1 cup of oil. You can use baby oil, or if you are worried about kids tasting it, you can use vegetable oil. You may want to provide some sand castle molds or various sizes of cups to assist with the creativity, and some small plastic trays to keep any mess contained.. Kids can decorate their castles by pressing colorful shells and pieces of sea glass into the sand.
Mermaid Paper Art
- Scratch Art – if you’re making it from scratch (ha!) you’ll need white cardstock, oil pastels (or you can use crayons), black acrylic paint, liquid dish soap, foam brushes, and wooden stylus tools. You’ll cut the cardstock to the desired size and have students color one entire side with oil pastels in an abstract design using several different colors. Mix 3 parts black paint to 1 part dish soap and paint over the drawing using a form brush. (If you don’t get complete coverage, you may need to paint a second coat of black paint once the first coat dries.) Once the paint is completely dry, use a wooden stick to “draw” a picture.
- Scratch Art Kits – if you want to save time (and mess!) you can provide scratch art cards for the students so they can go straight to “drawing” a picture with the wooden stylus. This Rainbow Scratch Art kit includes 100 5×7″ cards, four stylus tools, and a set of stencils. This Holographic Glitter Scratch Art kit includes 400 3.5×3.5″ cards (200 rainbow, 200 silver) and 8 wooden stylus tools.
- Stamp Art Greeting Cards- requires ocean-themed stamps, washable ink pads in single or in gradient colors, and colored cardstock. You’ll also want to have markers that can make thick or thin lines for kids to add a greeting, drawing, or signature.
- I Spy Ocean Pictures – requires small sea critter stamps, stamping blocks, and heavy paper.
- Sponge Painting – requires compressed sponges, scissors, acrylic paint, small foam trays or plates, and white cardstock. You or the students cut the sponges into desired ocean shapes, then wet them to expand them. Once they dry, they are ready to dip into paint and press onto card stock. Students can add additional details to their art with washable tropical markers.
Other Mermaid Crafts
- Ghost Net Art – requires plastic fishing net and your choice of other craft supplies. See this Ghost Net Art Exhibition site for inspiration, or use your imagination!
- Wooden Spoon Mermaids – requires wooden spoons, yarn in assorted colors, googly eyes, felt in assorted colors, markers, scissors, and glue. Glue on the yarn for the hair, wrap and tie off the yarn for the bikini top and upper portion of the tail. Finish the tail with felt cut in the shape of mermaid fins glued to the bottom of the stick. Draw a face and add two googly eyes.
Reading Buddies
- Your students will enjoy reading aloud to their own mermaid buddies! A pink princess mermaid, a purple cutie mermaid, or a golden princess mermaid will surely entice your girls to sit down and read.
I hope this post has given you some useful ideas and resources for hosting your own mermaid extravaganza! If you have any favorite mermaid activities, please share them in the comments!
Wow!! This is very detailed and helpful. I plan to use The Little Red Hen Reader’s Theater soon.
Thank you so much for sharing.
Robin