Create a Fish Aquarium!

Lesson 215 • By Debbie Haren (Expanded Version)
Grade Level: Preschool

Learning Objectives

Students will:

  • Create an aquarium craft using colored construction paper fish.

  • Count the total number of fish in their aquarium.

  • Sort and identify colors of the fish they made.

  • Strengthen fine-motor skills through tracing, cutting, and gluing.

  • Practice early oral language skills by naming and describing their fish.

Materials

  • Foam meat trays (blue if possible; white works too)

  • Construction paper in many colors

  • Small fish pattern for tracing

  • Glue bottles or glue sticks

  • Silver glitter (or blue if desired)

  • Markers for naming fish

  • Optional: googly eyes, sequins, stickers, tissue paper “seaweed,” yarn for bubbles

Introduction (2–3 minutes)

Gather the children and show a real or picture example of an aquarium.

Ask:

  • “What do fish need to live?”

  • “Have you ever seen fish swimming in a tank?”

  • “What colors can fish be?”

Explain:

“Today we’re going to make our very own fish aquarium and fill it with colorful fish we create!”

✂️ Step 1: Choose Colors

Each child selects two different colors of construction paper.
These will become their fish.

Use sentence frames:

  • “I chose yellow and orange.”

  • “My fish will be blue and green.”

Step 2: Trace & Cut Fish

  1. Give each child the small fish pattern.

  2. Students trace around the pattern onto their construction paper.

  3. They cut out the fish (a wonderful fine-motor activity).

Tip: Pre-cut or partially cut patterns for children needing extra support.

✨ Step 3: Decorate the Aquarium Background

  1. Hand each child a foam tray (blue looks like water).

  2. Help them squeeze a line or wave of glue across the tray.

  3. Sprinkle glitter on the glue to create sparkly water waves.

Let dry for a minute while you discuss where the fish might swim.

Step 4: Add the Fish

Students glue their colorful fish onto the tray.

While they work, ask:

  • “How many fish do you have so far?”

  • “How many red fish? How many green?”

  • “Do you want to name your fish?”

They can name them aloud or write/dictate the names on the back.

Step 5: Counting & Color Review

Once finished, review individually:

  • “How many fish are in your aquarium altogether?”

  • “Show me a blue fish.”

  • “Which color do you have more of? Which do you have less of?”

Encourage complete sentences:

“I have four fish. I have two yellow, one red, and one purple.”

Extension Activities

1. Make a Rainbow Aquarium

Add one fish of every color to practice color words.

2. Pattern Fish

Students glue fish in a color pattern (red–blue–red–blue).

3. Math Recording Sheet

Create a simple worksheet where students:

  • Color fish to match their aquarium

  • Fill in number boxes (“I have __ red fish.”)

4. Add Seaweed & Bubbles

Children glue on:

  • Tissue paper strips (seaweed)

  • Pieces of yarn (bubbles)

  • Sand at the bottom

5. Sensory Table Tie-In

Add plastic fish, scoops, and containers to the sensory bin for water play.

Wrap-Up Discussion

Talk about fish care in real life:

  • Fish need clean water.

  • Fish need food every day.

  • Tanks must be cleaned so the fish stay healthy and happy.

Optional: Watch a short kids’ video of fish swimming.

Assessment (Playful & Simple)

Can the student:

  • Identify colors of their fish?

  • Count their fish accurately?

  • Make choices about placing and naming their fish?

  • Use scissors and glue appropriately?

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