Watercolor Whale Craft For Kids With Free Printable Template

Celebrate the start of Humpback whale season in Hawaii with a fun and easy watercolor whale craft for kids! This ocean-themed DIY activity is inspired by the beloved children’s book The Whale Who Wanted to Be Small by Gill McBarnet and is perfect for young ocean lovers, crafters, and educators.

Whale craft + free printable

Why November is Whale Season in Hawaii

November marks the beginning of Humpback whale season in Hawaii, when these majestic creatures migrate to the warm Hawaiian waters, a national marine sanctuary to breed, give birth, and raise their calves. It’s the perfect time to introduce kids to ocean life through a hands-on craft and a beautiful storybook.

Book Inspiration: The Whale Who Wanted to Be Small

This watercolor craft is inspired by The Whale Who Wanted to Be Small, a heartwarming children’s book by Gill McBarnet. You can find this and other Hawaii-inspired children’s books here, along with adorable ocean-themed gifts for kids. As a nature-loving parent and educator, these books speak right to my heart and are perfect for the holiday season.

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Whale craft activity for kids

Craft Supplies for whale craft

Make sure to gather these simple craft materials before starting:

• Cardboard
• White and blue paper
• Watercolors (we recommend watercolor palettes)
• Watercolor paper (optional but adds a beautiful texture)
• Watercolor paintbrush
• Glass of water
• Pencil
• Glue
• Scissors
• Googly eye (optional)
• Piece of twine or rope (optional)
• Printable Whale who wanted to be small

How to craft a watercolor ocean

Step-by-Step Ocean & Whale Craft Instructions

Part 1: Create the Ocean Background

Step 1: Cut a large circle from cardboard. Use a round plate as a guide or trace the included printable, see image one above. 

Step 2: Paint a sheet of watercolor paper with shades of blue. Mix in green or purple for variety. Let kids explore with more water for lighter shades and less water for darker tones. See image two above. I recommend using a watercolour palette, they’re easy to use with children and less messy. 

Step 3: Once dry, rip the painted sheet into long strips. See images three and four above. 

Step 4: Layer the strips onto the cardboard circle with the white ripped edges facing up to mimic ocean waves. See images four and five for referense. 

Step 5: Cover the cardboard circle completely with the ocean strips, see image five below. 

Step 6: Flip the circle and trim any overhanging paper for a clean round shape. See image six for reference. 

 

Step-by-step instructions for whale craft

Step 1: Place a blue sheet underneath your circle. Trace the bottom half, this will be your whale’s body size. See image seven above. 

Step 2: Draw and cut out a whale shape using the half-circle as a base. Use the printable if you’d like help with the shape. See image eight above for reference. 

Step 3: Add a fin and belly using white or contrasting paper, see picture nine below. 

 

 

Step 4: Optional: Cut a piece of twine, unravel the ends, and paint it blue for the whale’s spout. See picture 10 above for reference. 

Step 5: Glue your whale together, see picture 11 above. 

Step 6: Attach the whale to your ocean background. For a 3D effect, use a bottle cap or foam to raise the whale off the surface. See picture 12 above or the picture below for reference. 

 

Watercolor whale craft activity for kids

More Ocean-Themed Kids Crafts

• Try these adorable paper roll whales, a fun upcycle craft!

• Or dive into a simple origami paper fish project for more under-the-sea fun.

Favorite Kids Craft Supplies & More

Looking for more ideas or our favorite crafting materials? Visit our Craft Favorites Blog Post.

 

 

ocean-themed craft with free printable

Ocean-Themed Craft Printables, Ready to Use and Fun to Make!

Short on prep time? We’ve got you covered! Our printable ocean craft packs are designed to make creative time simple, fun, and stress-free. Each pack comes in both full color and black-and-white coloring page versions, so kids can customize their creations and add their own flair.

Here are a few of our most-loved ocean printables, see pictures above. You can purchase them on our website, Etsy Store and Teachers Pay Teachers:

1. Sea Turtle Shell Weaving – A perfect blend of fine motor skills and creative play.

1. BIG Mermaid Puppet Bundle – A magical favorite packed with movement and sparkle!

2. Swimming Shark Puppet– Always a hit with shark fans and full of ocean action. 

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or homeschooler, these print-and-go craft kits are perfect for engaging little learners in a creative underwater adventure!

 

 

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