Have you ever studied an ocean theme with your preschooler? It is one of our very favorite themes to explore with our little learners! We have gathered up three awesome “under the sea” art projects for you to use during your ocean theme, and we’ve even included three free downloadable templates to make everything super easy.

Scroll all the way to the bottom to grab them all in one file, or download them each individually under their instruction sections. We hope you love them as much as we do!

Watercolor and Salt Painted Fish

You will need:

Fish template (free download below!)
Watercolors
Table salt

Instructions:

Using watercolors, paint the fish any way you would like!
Make sure the fish is fairly wet. This helps the salt effect work better.
While the fish is still wet, sprinkle salt on it. When it dries, the salt gives a really cool texture to the painting!
Once the paint is all dry, you can brush the salt off into the garbage and enjoy your cute fishy!

Free Download

Click the button to grab the free fish template download!

fish template

Bubble Wrap Starfish

You will need:

Starfish template (free download below!)
Tempera paint
Bubble wrap

Instructions:

Using tempera paint, paint all over the bubble wrap. Don’t worry about mixing colors, that makes the final product even more beautiful!
Flip the starfish template upside down and place on top of the bubble wrap.
Gently press and rub the paper over the bubble wrap, then pull up the paper to reveal your finished masterpiece!
Repeat as many times as you’d like!

Free Download

Click this button to get your free starfish template!

starfish template

Tissue Paper Transfer Octopus

You will need:

Octopus template (free download below!)
Water spray bottle
Color bleeding tissue paper (you can find it on Amazon here. )

The Preschool Place is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Instructions:

Print off your cute little octopus template.
Mist the paper with water. You don’t want it soaked, but enough that the tissue paper will easily stick.
Cover the picture with the tissue paper squares and mist them lightly again.
Once the paper has dried, you can peel off the tissue paper squares and reveal the final product!