This week we decided to have a go at recycled materials again… it was prompted by the fact that we received some “Fairy Liquid Washing Gel” and I thought that the bottle looked a bit like a fish… so I looked at the other Fairy bottles and thought… we can make our own recycled fish school here! We love fun Crafts for Kids.
The Book
Hooray for Fish!By Lucy Cousins.
We have been here before and we are here again.. First it was Red Ted’s “first” favourite read – I picked up a hardback copy at Tate Modern Bookshop. And now Pip Squeak adores it! A while back we did a hand and feet craft to go with it and today we make more fish!
Red Ted really enjoyed it the most 9 months – 12 months, though he does still enjoy it now, especially since I have brought it back out for Pip Squeak. We love all the different, bright and colour fish! Our favourite bit is probably the very rhythmic ”Eye Fish, Shy Fish, Sky fish, Fly Fish” page, but that is just us. It is all lovely! I now know all the words practically off by heart!
From a parental perspective, it is great, as it has lots counting going on, lots of colours to identify, stripes, spots etc etc so they are definitely learning too!
One of my (!) favourite Lucy Cousins books.
The Craft
As mentioned above, it all started with some plastic fabric conditioner bottles.
But I reckon you can make fish out of any bottle really – just grab a bottle – look at it and see where it takes you…
Materials for making your recycled fish
- empty bottles,
- acrylic paint (or poster paint with PVA glue),
- brushes,
- googly eyes (optional)
Blue fish
1) Peal off the labels, paint on eyes. Done. I really don’t think the photo does it justice, in some way I think it is the best fish of all:
Stripy Fish:
1) Peel off the labels & inspired by the “stripes on the bottle”, we made this one stripey… it helped Red Ted that we had two brushes… he did one colour and I did the other, “evening out” any “mistakes” he made… Another way, is to paint on a base colour first and let dry, then add the stripes – this would be easier for a young child to manage on their own.
Red & Green Fish
1) To be honest, I made this one evening.. as I wanted to finish this post… but that’s ok… crafts are with and for children! I looked at the shape of the bottle and let the lines guide where I put the red and the green:
They LOVED playing in the bath with this! However the paint does come off!
Just look at that little face!! 🙂
For more Kid’s Craft ideas, click here for a full list.
Anne@LittleSproutBooks says
What fun bathtub additions! And a perfect recycling craft for earth day! B has an assignment for preschool to take note of some earth-friendly action he takes part in this week – I think it may be recycled crafting!
Liz Burton says
Oh how fabulous! I love the stripy one – he looks like Nemo!
Great that you can use them after too for bathtime fun. x
Erica Louise says
Aw this is really cute, love the idea
Red Ted Art says
Ah! The paint did come off a little in the bath – so this is a “play and eventually throw away” toy!!!!!
camille says
wow, your fish look lovely, we have linked something we did last week hope that is ok 🙂
Rachel says
Wish I had something to share this week. 🙁 Perhaps before you close this party I will. Thanks so much for hosting!
maryanne says
Looks like a great way to make hair washing more fun =)
Cid says
Coolio!
Red Ted Art says
Rachel – Aaaah there is always next week! Of course love seeing you every week… but as and when is nice 🙂 linky is open until Monday!
MaryAnne – DEFINITELY helps with hairwashing!!!
Red Ted Art says
Cid – recognise your bottle????
Roopa(Putti Amma) says
Thats a great idea!! Love the stripey fish, so colorful:))
artsy_momma says
SO colorful! I haven’t had any luck with acrylic paint and bottles in the past.
Red Ted Art says
Artsy_momma:
Really? What happened?
It does come off after while, but we usually get to have plenty of playtime first…
Last Minute Mel says
How super fun! Love the happy faces 🙂
Melissa @ The Chocolate Muffin Tree says
So cute! We Love that book! (We own it!) Great idea and for bath time or the swimming pool (outdoor play)!
Wonder Mom says
Ahhh- what a cute baby face! You couldn’t ASK for more fun in the tub…
Krissy @ B.Inspired says
Whether we paint them or not, I love the idea of using them in the bath like that. So fun!
B Fryman says
Those are perfect bottles to make fish with! Love it!
Natalie says
You have great imagination to look at the bottle and to see a fish! My daughter is 4.5 and still loves Lucy Cousins books very much – they are so colorful.
Red Ted Art says
Aaah thanks Natalie!! And yes, the Hooray For Fish is particulary wonderful to look at!
The Iowa Farmer's Wife says
I looooove the fish idea! I’ll have start looking at my bottles to keep an eye out for one that’ll make a good one!
Amy @ Hope Is the Word says
What fun! Love the picture of your dd! Thanks for linking up to RAT!
Rashi says
What a fabulous idea, we also want to look for these bottles. Thanks for sharing this cute idea!!!
Becky says
Fubnky fish maggy We might give this a go xxxx
JDaniel4's Mom says
The fish is perfect for tub play. I haven’t heard of the book you mentioned. I will have to add it to my book list.
Kerri says
Another fabulous idea! Great job!
Kerri
Anne@LittleSproutBooks says
Thanks for linking up at Feed Me Books Friday! Happy Earth Day and Happy Easter!
Alethea says
Those are absolutely gorgeous! I love the first fishy, he has a delightfully ‘whatever’ expression :-)!
nicolette @ momnivores dilemma says
I love Lucy Cousins…these are some sweet lil crafts…