This fish craft is fun to make using burlap. You'll love the simple setup and the many opportunities for kids to learn as they play. Add these fun fish shapes to an ocean theme with early learners.. 

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Have you ever heard of a square fish? Neither have I! There are varieties of the angelfish as well as the boxfish have interesting square shapes that will amaze both kids and grownups. 

If your preschoolers like an ocean theme, making a square fish is sure to be a favorite activity. 

We couldn't resist the opportunity to make a fish with burlap. It's an inexpensive material, durable and easy to cut, and adding a fringe is just so much fine motor fun!

We've been crafting a lot with burlap, everything from a horse's mane to a bird's nest. 

Exploring shapes with kids is part of the fun with this burlap craft. Along with the square fish there's one other shape option in this post for kids to make.

The texture of the burlap, the flip of the fins, and the twinkle in the googly craft eyes provide sensory play along with imaginative play for kids. 

These creative little fish can easily be used as puppets for pretend play. 

Burlap fish craft 

How to make a square fish

Step 1. Cut a rectangle from the burlap fabric. 

Step 2. Unravel a short side of the rectangle.

• Pull threads until a long tail is formed and the body of the fish becomes a square.

Step 3. Unravel the top and bottom to form the fins. 

Step 4. Glue a craft eye to the fish.

Step 5. Cut a piece of cardboard the same size as the body, including the lower fin.  Cut a handle into the cardboard as shown in the photo.

Step 6. Glue the fabric to the cardboard being careful to leave the handle open behind the lower fins so kids can insert their fingers.

Here's another fish shape to make!

How to make a flat fish.

Step 1. Cut an oval shape from the burlap, with a tail shape included at the end of the oval.

Step 2. Unravel the edges by pulling threads along the sides (to create fins) and at the tail.

Step 3. Place the burlap fish on a piece of cardboard. Trace around the fish.  Cut out the piece of cardboard slightly smaller than the burlap fish.

Step 4. Cut out a small cardboard rectangle to serve as a handle. Staple the handle to the back of the oval cardboard cutout. Tape to secure if necessary. 

Step 5. Glue the burlap oval shape to the cardboard. 

Step 6. Glue craft eye to the fish.

Learning through play

1. Grasp the handle to hold the fish like a puppet for pretend play, swimming up and down. Encourage gross motor movements such as 'diving' and 'swimming'.

2. Spread a blue blanket on the floor and fill your fish pond with square fish and flat fish.

3. Read books about fish.

A Fish out of Water by Helen Palmer

Good Night Little Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister 

Whatever the shape, kids will love making this fun craft. With a flip of the fins, these little burlap fish are ready for pretend play! 

 More fish crafts!