Have you ever read the book Fidgety Fish. We have! In fact, Fidgety fish is one of my favorite storybooks that I used to read to my daughter and it's still one we love to this day even though it's a little young for her now.
Today on the blog I am sharing a fish-themed craft-based and resource which would go really well with the preschool storybook Fidgety Fish. I hope you enjoy our post.
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💖 Why You'll Love This Craft
- Interactive Learning: This puppet makes learning fun—kids can sing, tell stories, and even practice new words!
- Colorful & Customizable: Let the kids choose the colors for their fish—rainbow scales or ocean hues, the possibilities are endless!
- Colorful & Customizable: Let the kids choose the colors for their fish—rainbow scales or ocean hues, the possibilities are endless!
🎨 Supplies Needed
RELATED POST: PAPER WEAVE FISH CRAFT FOR KIDS
🖌️ How to Make This Fish Craft
- Step 1: To make these Fidgety Fish craft puppets you will need to draw around your little one's hand.
- Step 2: Once you have drawn around your child's hand on each of the pieces of coloured paper, cut out the hand outlines to create fish stencils.
- Step 3: Glue a googly eye onto your fish and use your pencil to create scales.
- Step 4: You can then go over the pencil markings with a gold posca paint pen.
- Step 5: You could use another colour if you choose such as a silver pen but we used gold.
- Step 6: The next step is to glue the popsicle stick and stick it to the back of your cut out fish. You repeat the process which each coloured fish.
My daughter enjoyed helping me to make these.
It was pretty simple and easy to do and my hubby got a little snap happy with his camera.
We made green, blue, yellow and purple fish and the process was easy, simple and fun to make.
Once your fish are complete, you can use them during story time to make reading more interactive and fun.
You might want to hand the fish to the kids and let them pretend to be Fidgety Fish as you read the story.
This would be ideal for both the home and or at mat time in preschool or kindergarten and I'm sure the kids will love both making the fish and using them.
You could also pin them to the wall as a decoration or pop your fish into a fish bowl. There are lots of options. Enjoy.
💡 Pro Tip: Let kids test the puppet in front of a mirror while building—watching how it moves encourages better spacing and more intentional design placement.
🧑🎨 Expert Tips
- Stick Balance: Attach the stick near the center of the fish body’s weight—not too high or low—to avoid wobbling and make the puppet easier to control.
- Fin Flexibility: Cut fins from thinner paper than the body so they flutter slightly when moved—this adds motion without adding bulk to the shape.
- Eye Contrast: Choose a white or light-colored background for the eye so it stays visible, even when the puppet is viewed from a distance.
- Tail Curve: Angle the tail shape outward slightly to create a natural swimming effect—straight tails can make the figure look stiff and flat.
- Color Blocking: Use one bold color for the main body and separate tones for fins or stripes—this separation helps define parts without needing extra outlines.
- Handle Grip: Wrap tape around the lower end of the stick to form a grip—this prevents slipping during movement and makes it easier for kids to hold.
💭 FAQs
Yes, moving the puppet by hand helps kids practice smooth, guided motion. It builds early control over hand-led direction and flow.
Absolutely, coordinating fish movement with story pacing supports rhythm. Kids learn to sync movement with spoken words or actions.
Yes, rotating the puppet while holding the stick encourages flexible wrist action. It improves strength and control in a playful way.
Children learn to move side to side or up and down with purpose. This teaches them how to change direction while keeping the puppet steady.
Fidgety Fish Puppet Craft And Learning Resource
Equipment
- Scissors
Materials
- Coloured Paper
- Lollipop Sticks
- Glue
- Googly Eyes
- Pencil
- Gold Posca Pen
- Fidgety Fish Book Optional
Instructions
- To make these Fidgety Fish craft puppets you will need to draw around your little one’s hand.
- Once you have drawn around your child’s hand on each of the pieces of coloured paper, cut out the hand outlines to create fish stencils.
- Glue a googly eye onto your fish and use your pencil to create scales.
- You can then go over the pencil markings with a gold posca paint pen.
- You could use another colour if you choose such as a silver pen but we used gold.
- The next step is to glue the popsicle stick and stick it to the back of your cut out fish.
- You repeat the process which each coloured fish.
- My daughter enjoyed helping me to make these.
- It was pretty simple and easy to do and my hubby got a little snap happy with his camera.
- We made green, blue, yellow, and purple fish and the process was easy, simple, and fun to make.
- Once your fish is complete, you can use them during story time to make reading more interactive and fun.
- You might want to hand the fish to the kids and let them pretend to be Fidgety Fish as you read the story.
- This would be ideal for both the home and or at mat time in preschool or kindergarten and I’m sure the kids will love both making the fish and using them.
- You could also pin them to the wall as a decoration or pop your fish into a fish bowl. There are lots of options. Enjoy.
🖌️ Related Crafts
Love these crafts! Don't forget to pin them on Pinterest or leave a comment and let us know how you got on!
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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Some fun easy but effective way to keep the kids busy
It sure is and a fun way too!
I love a bookish craft! #KLTR
Me too! Thanks for stopping by!
Ahh, normally when I see your amazing crafts I'm left thinking 'I could never do that' but this time it's something I could actually do! I just need to aim for preschooler level 😉 Great craft though, I can think of a lot of fishy stories it would work with. #KLTR
Oh some of these are simple to make... and especially fun for little ones!
I'm not familiar with the book but the fish look simple and fun to do with the kids. #kltr
I haven't come across the book before, but this looks like a fun activity to do with kids at home or school, and not too messy or complicated! #kltr
You're so creative Angela, what a lovely idea and would be so nice to do in a nursery setting as well I think. #KLTR
Thanks Laura. I agree, it would be a great nursery craft for sure!
What a lovely way to have fun and learning
Looks like a lot of fun. My nephew would love this.
We have yet to read this book but have got one that is very similar. Smiley Shark. #KLTR
Such a lovely activity. My 2yo's favourite thing to do on paper is to draw around his hand so he would love this.
#KLTR