Free Printable Rainbow Fish Craft Templates

If your children love The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister, they will have so much fun making this colorful Rainbow Fish craft! I created these printable craft templates so kids can enjoy the story while also practicing cutting, gluing, creativity, and fine motor skills.

One of my favorite things about this activity is that there are two different ways to make the craft. Children can either paint and decorate their fish with art supplies or create a beautiful collage using colorful paper scales and shiny metallic paper just like the famous Rainbow Fish.

This simple craft is perfect for preschoolers, kindergarten students, classrooms, literacy centers, homeschool lessons, or an ocean theme unit.

What’s Included in the Free Printable Rainbow Fish Craft?

This printable set includes:

• Rainbow Fish coloring template
• Plain fish template for adding scales
• Printable scale templates in multiple colors
• Silver scale page for creating shiny Rainbow Fish scales

The templates are designed to be printed on cardstock or heavy paper for extra durability.

Option 1: Paint Your Rainbow Fish

This version is perfect for younger children who enjoy sensory art activities.

Supplies:

• Printable fish template
• Paint
• Paint brushes
• Crayons or markers
• Glitter glue (optional)
• Tissue paper
• Googly eyes

Directions:

1. Print the Rainbow Fish template onto cardstock.
2. Let children paint the fish using bright colors.
3. Add glitter or metallic paint to a few scales to represent the special shiny scales.
4. Glue on a googly eye.
5. Allow the fish to dry before displaying.

Option 2: Create a Rainbow Fish Collage

This option closely resembles the fish from the story and makes a wonderful process art activity.

Supplies:

• Plain fish template
• Scale template and/or Colored scale pages
• Metallic paper or foil paper
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Googly eyes

Directions:

1. Print the plain fish template and scale pages.
2. Cut out the colorful scales or print the scale template onto colored construction paper.
3. Print one page of scales onto silver or metallic paper for the special shiny scales.
4. Glue the scales onto the fish, slightly overlapping them.
5. Add one shiny scale to remind children of the important lesson from the story.
6. Finish by gluing on a googly eye.

Why Kids Love This Rainbow Fish Craft

This activity helps children practice:

• Fine motor skills
• Scissor skills
• Hand-eye coordination
• Creativity
• Following directions
• Story retelling skills

It also creates a wonderful opportunity to discuss kindness, friendship, and sharing.

Pair This Craft With The Rainbow Fish

After reading the story, ask children:

• Why was Rainbow Fish lonely?
• How did sharing make him feel?
• What does it mean to be a good friend?
• Have you ever shared something special?

Rainbow Fish Activities to Extend the Learning

After making the craft, children can also:

• Retell the story using their fish.
• Count the fish scales.
• Write ways they can be a good friend.
• Make friendship cards for classmates.
• Create an ocean bulletin board display.

Books to Pair With This Craft

• The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
• Rainbow Fish to the Rescue! by Marcus Pfister
• Rainbow Fish and the Big Blue Whale by Marcus Pfister

Pin This Rainbow Fish Craft for Later

This easy ocean craft is perfect for:

• Ocean units
• Preschool themes
• Kindergarten literacy centers
• Summer activities
• Friendship lessons
• Book extension activities

Looking for More Rainbow Fish Activities?

If your children enjoyed these free worksheets, be sure to check out my full Rainbow Fish Worksheets Pack in my shop! This expanded resource includes even more literacy, math, sequencing, friendship, and fine motor activities inspired by The Rainbow Fish story.

It’s perfect for preschool and kindergarten centers, homeschool lessons, early finishers, and themed ocean units while helping children practice important early learning skills through engaging, no-prep activities.

You can find the complete Rainbow Fish printable pack in my shop for even more hands-on learning fun.

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Conclusion

I love activities that combine books and hands-on creativity, and this Rainbow Fish craft does exactly that. Whether children choose to paint their fish or glue colorful shiny scales onto their template, they end up with a beautiful keepsake while learning an important lesson about friendship and sharing.

This printable makes an easy no-prep activity for teachers, homeschool families, and anyone looking for a fun ocean-themed craft for kids.

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