Octopus Craft

Today's post is from Meg of Adventures With Jude. She is a very creative person, and also possesses a great amount of patience and a terrific sense of humour, as evidenced when my email repeatedly lost her attachments. It's a pleasure to have you here, Meg - thank you!

Thank you for inviting us to visit!  We're excited to share our Octopus craft with you.   He's a very versatile creature.  Ours are being used as finger puppets, but they would be appropriate to add to an ocean diorama or as an adorable table decoration for an ocean themed party.


Materials list:
cardboard paper towel/toilet paper roll
paint/brushes
felt or construction paper
glue
marker
google eyes (optional)

(Note: You don't need a huge piece of towel roll for the body.  Jude and Damien shared a single paper towel roll, cut in thirds.  Even one toilet paper roll could be cut in half and still be large enough for two bodies.)

Part One: Painting

 

 

First, paint the cardboard tube, inside and out.  If you're looking for a scientifically accurate octopus, use gray, red, or white paint.  If color doesn't matter, pick your favorite color.

Once your cardboard is painted on both sides, set it aside to dry.
We painted ours when we started our school day, so it could dry while we did the rest of our lessons - about 2 hours. 

Sometimes painting gets a little messy...  

...and it's just easier to take an extra bath.

Part Two: Assembly 

Turn the felt (or construction paper) so the long edge is facing you.  Draw four lines approximately 3/8" apart, and a line down the center.









Cut along these lines to make eight arms.

Lay the arms out.

Here's a good counting lesson -- make sure you have all eight! 

Place a dot of glue at the top of each felt piece, and attach it to the inside of the tube. 

To space them evenly, place the first four in a cross pattern, and then the remaining four in the angles.  Drape the arms over the outside so you can see where you are gluing. 













   
Jude laid his out in the pattern first.  Then he glued them in, one at a time. 















Attach the google eyes.  (Alternative: use small pieces of paper or felt, or draw on with a marker.)

 Damien felt his was done there.  This is his octopus.

Jude wanted his to have suckers.  He used a marker to draw them on.  

(Yes, they are on the top, not the bottom.  He wanted everyone to be able to see them.)

 Jude's octopus puppet.  (He also drew on happy mouth.)

Thanks for letting us join YOUR adventure! Hope to "sea" you soon!