Gorgeous watercolor manta ray craft

Would you like to create these manta rays? Then gather the craft supplies below.

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Craft supplies manta ray craft

• Watercolor pallet for kids
• Brush pens
• White (watercolor) paper
• Cardboard/cardstock
• Beads for the eyes 
• Scissor 
• Glue
• Transparent tape 

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Gather your supplies. Any watercolor paint will work; you can even water down tempera or acrylic paint as watercolor. We prefer to use watercolor pallets with kids; they are easy to use, have no waste, and are less messy. I recommend using watercolor paper; if you don’t have that, use a little thicker paper. You have these watercolor starters sets for kids, they are perfect for introducing watercolours to kids. 

Step 2: How many manta rays would you like to create? Take for each manta ray a white sheet. Lightly wet your paper with a brush and just plain water. This makes the paint colors flow and mixes nicely. Try to pick out bright colors and use some different shades of each color. You can create different shades by adding more or less water to the paint. When I paint with kids, I always encourage kids to cover their whole paper.

Step 3: Give your paint time to dry. In the meantime, take a scrap paper and sketch a manta ray; when you’re happy with your sketch, cut it out and use it as a template. 

Step 4: Take your watercolor papers and turn them over with the back (white) side up. Take your manta ray template, trace them on the back of each piece of paper, and cut them out. 

Step 5: Create a snake shape tail for each manta ray.  

Gorgeous watercolor manta ray craft

Step 6: Roll a paper roll from a piece of cardboard or cardstock. The picture above shows the roll I created from black cardstock. You can also use a toilet roll, but I wanted them to be a little smaller and, on one side, a little bigger (between a roll and a cone shape). 

Step 7: Create for each manta ray a paper roll. Place the paper roll under the manta ray so the middle part rises slightly. See the picture below for an example. 

Step 8: Attach the tails on the backside of the paper roll.

Step 9: Add two white beads on top of each manta ray. Suppose you don’t have beads. Use buttons, sequins, or googly eyes. 

Step 10: When you finish your project, have your child help you clean up. I know it’s faster and starting good habits young is essential and easier to do yourself, but s!

Great job creating these colorful manta rays; now try out these easy and fun paper origami fish. Always a big hit for kids!

Watercolor art for manta ray craft

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