Here is a fantastic crab craft for preschoolers. In fact this craft could be made with a number of age groups and is part of our ocean themed craft month here on The Inspiration Edit.
I am sharing some fun and easy crab craft activities on the blog which are perfect craft ideas for Kindergarten and preschool kids.
Jump to:
- 💖 Why You'll Love This Craft
- Paper Weave Crab Craft for Preschoolers
- Facts to Teach With This Crab Craft for Preschoolers
- How Many Legs Does a Crab Have?
- 🎨 Supplies Needed
- 🖌️ How To Make A Crab With Paper
- Download Printable
- 🧑🎨 Expert Tips
- 💭 FAQs
- 🖌️ Related Crafts
- Download Printable
- Paper Weave Crab Craft For Preschoolers
💖 Why You'll Love This Craft
- Under-the-Sea Fun: This little crab brings all the beachy vibes straight to your craft table!
- Perfect for Tiny Hands: The weaving helps preschoolers build fine motor skills while having fun.
- Bright & Cheery: Choose bold reds or fun colors to make your crab pop.
Paper Weave Crab Craft for Preschoolers
Don't forget to download the crab craft template at the end of the post. This is a fun Ocean Craft for the school display and can be made with the kids at home over the summer.
Facts to Teach With This Crab Craft for Preschoolers
Did you know that their are over 4500 species of crabs and that most of them live in coastal areas if salty, fresh or brackish water. Crabs can live in water and on land and the longest lifespan of any crab is 100 years old.
How Many Legs Does a Crab Have?
Do you know the answer to the question, how many legs does a crab have? Look no further, here is the answer!
Crabs have legs ten legs, including claws. Sometimes a crab's can be hidden inside a shell so that only eight legs are visible.
🎨 Supplies Needed
You can make an optional background from bubble wrap, using a paintbrush and blue paint, however this is optional. Today I will show you how to make both the bubble background and the paper weave craft.
🖌️ How To Make A Crab With Paper
- Step 1: First you will need to download the crab craft template and print out. This can be found at the end of the post.
- Step 2: Cut the crab craft template out. Trace the crab onto coloured cardstock and cut out.
- Step 3: Trace the circle onto white cardstock and cut out x2. Cut 2 smaller black circles. Set aside.
- Step 4: Fold the paper crab in half and cut slits into the middle of the crab. Leave at least a half of an inch all the way around to avoid tearing the paper.
- Step 5: Cut strips of coloured cardstock. (use a colour different from the crab. Try using bold prints or textured cardstock)
- Step 6: Weave the coloured cardstock strips in and out of the crab. Secure the ends with a bit of glue.
- Step 7: Use scissors to cut off any excess paper hanging over the sides.
- Step 8: Glue the eyes together and then glue them onto the crab.
- Step 9: Use a black marker to add a mouth to the crab. Your crab craft for preschoolers is finished!
There are lots of Ocean Craft Ideas here on the blog that I'm sure you will love.
This is a wonderful classroom project! How cute would these look on a bulletin board in a rainbow of colours!?
Download Printable
Print out your free crab template here!
Related Ocean Themed Products
💡 Pro Tip: Include a simple dance or movement activity before crafting that involves crossing the arms and legs over the body's midline to enhance bilateral coordination skills.
🧑🎨 Expert Tips
- Cross-Body Weaving: Encourage children to use their right hand to weave strips on the left side of the crab and vice versa. This cross-lateral movement supports brain development and coordination.
- Alternating Hands: Guide kids to alternate hands with each weaving strip, promoting equal strength and dexterity in both hands during the crafting process.
- Midline Awareness: Have children identify the center of the crab's body and work outward, enhancing their understanding of spatial orientation and body midline.
- Symmetrical Placement: Assist kids in placing legs and claws symmetrically on both sides of the crab, reinforcing bilateral coordination and visual balance.
- Two-Handed Tasks: Involve activities that require both hands simultaneously, such as holding the paper steady with one hand while weaving with the other, to strengthen cooperative hand use.
- Mirror Movements: Introduce mirror exercises where children mimic movements on one side of the body with the other, preparing them for symmetrical crafting tasks.
💭 FAQs
Yes, alternating hands for placement builds body control. It shows how each side must work together on tasks that need balance and timing.
Using both hands to fold, align, or press parts trains kids to move both sides of their body in sync, improving early bilateral coordination.
Kids start noticing when one part looks uneven or off. That awareness sharpens their ability to compare left and right actions visually.
Yes, matching claws or eye shapes on both sides teaches them to replicate movements, helping their hands work together more precisely.
🖌️ Related Crafts
Download Printable
Get your free Printable Crab Template PDF File today!
Paper Weave Crab Craft For Preschoolers
Equipment
- Scissors
Materials
- Cardstock
- Gluestick
- Paper Cutter
Instructions
- First, you will need to download the crab craft template and print out. This can be found at the end of the post.
- Cut the crab craft template out. Trace the crab onto coloured cardstock and cut out.
- Trace the circle onto white cardstock and cut out x2. Cut 2 smaller black circles. Set aside.
- Fold the paper crab in half and cut slits into the middle of the crab.
- Leave at least a half of an inch all the way around to avoid tearing the paper.
- Cut strips of coloured cardstock. (use a colour different from the crab.
- Try using bold prints or textured cardstock
- Weave the coloured cardstock strips in and out of the crab. Secure the ends with a bit of glue.
- Use scissors to cut off any excess paper hanging over the sides.
- Glue the eyes together and then glue them onto the crab.
- Use a black marker to add a mouth to the crab.
- Your crab craft for preschoolers is finished!
Did you make this craft? Leave a review and comment below! Alternatively, bookmark it in your browser or save to Pinterest.
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