Summer is soon to be here, and with it comes the perfect opportunity to inspire a love for books and creativity in your little ones. What could be more fun than combining the joy of ocean-themed crafts with summer reading? Get your kids excited about turning pages with our free shark bookmarks, designed with endless fun and learning in mind.
This post will walk you through everything you need to know about these adorable shark bookmarks, their benefits, and how your kids can create and use them.
Why Bookmarks Are More Than Just Crafts
Bookmarks make reading more exciting for kids, but they’re also perfect little tools for hands-on learning. Crafting your own bookmarks is a dual-purpose activity:
- Encouraging Reading: The fun designs and creativity behind these bookmarks help make reading time special.
- Creative Outlet: It’s a simple yet engaging craft project that your kids will love, especially if they’re big fans of sharks and the ocean.
When you mix crafts with learning, you get an activity that not only entertains but also fosters a love for books. And who knows? These bookmarks might just turn into treasures your kids take pride in.
Shark Bookmark Designs to Love
What’s better than a bookmark? One with a personality! The free set of shark bookmarks comes in four punny shark designs, each with its own charm:
- An excited shark with big, wide eyes shouting, “Dive into a good book!”
- A friendly shark reading a book with a big grin on its face, sharing, “I’m a Fin-tastic reader!”
- A cool shark wearing sunglasses saying, “Reading is Jaw-some!”
- A fierce shark is showing off its sharp teeth and declaring, “Sink your teeth into a good story!”
These playful designs are sure to capture your child’s imagination and make reading even more enjoyable. Plus, they can spark conversations about ocean conservation and the fascinating world of sharks.
Developmental Benefits of Making Bookmarks
Creating and coloring these bookmarks isn’t just fun; it’s educational and developmental too. Here’s how kids can benefit from this simple, enjoyable activity:
- Fine Motor Skills: Coloring and cutting help strengthen small hand muscles and improve dexterity.
- Coordination: Staying within the lines and aligning pieces trains hand-eye coordination.
- Patience and Focus: Completing the activity helps develop attention spans and promotes mindfulness.
- Creative Expression: Choosing colors and creating unique combinations nurtures artistic talents.
- Spatial Awareness: Coloring defined sections and arranging elements improve a child’s sense of space and proportion.
This craft project is perfect for building foundational skills while allowing kids to have fun and express themselves.
What You Need to Get Started
The best part about these shark bookmarks? You only need a few basic supplies! Here’s what to grab before you begin:
- Cardstock for durability
- Colored pencils, markers, or crayons for decorating
- Scissors for cutting along the lines
- Glue for assembly (optional for more layered designs)
- Hole punch (this one is great for craft projects) and ribbon for a decorative finish
- Optional extras like stickers or glitter for even more creativity
Already have these at home? Perfect! This fun project is as budget-friendly as it gets.
How to Make the Bookmarks
Follow these simple steps to create your shark-themed bookmarks. It’s an easy process perfect for young hands, with a little help from you:
- Download and print the free bookmarks on cardstock or regular paper.
- Color the designs using your favorite markers, pencils, or crayons.
- Cut out each bookmark carefully along the provided outline.
- Optional: Glue the bookmarks onto slightly larger pieces of cardstock for a durable backing.
- Hole punch the top of each bookmark and thread a ribbon through. Tie a bow for that perfect finishing touch!
And just like that, your kids have their very own shark-themed bookmarks!
Download Your Free Shark Bookmarks Now
Excited to get started? Click here to download your free shark bookmark templates. Your kids will love coloring and customizing their new reading buddies.
Enter your email below to get access to these fun shark bookmarks today!
Creative Ways to Use Shark Bookmarks
Once the bookmarks are ready, here are a few fun ways to make the most of them:
- Celebrate Summer Reading: Encourage kids to use a bookmark for every book they finish.
- DIY Gifts: Share personalized bookmarks as gifts for friends and family.
- Party Activities: Use these bookmarks as a fun craft at birthday parties or sleepovers.
- Art Projects: Print a few sets and get creative with stickers, glitter, and unique designs.
- Classroom Rewards: Teachers can use these as incentives for good behavior or completed reading goals.
More Activities to Try
Looking for more ways to use these bookmarks? Here are a few additional ideas:
Shark Crafts
Shark Handprint Craft – This cute and easy craft is perfect for younger kids. They can add their handprints to complete a shark template and finish it by adding some cute eyes.
Shark Peek-a-Boo Craft – This fun craft allows kids to create a shark’s face with hands that can open and close, just like a real peek-a-boo shark!
Shark Picture Books
Dude by Aaron Reynolds – This silly yet informative book is about a platypus and a beaver who want to surf but can’t because of a shark in the water. The playful illustrations and humor make it a hit with young readers.
Clark the Shark by Bruce Hale – Clark is a shark with a big personality and loves to play, but sometimes his enthusiasm gets him into trouble. A great book about learning self-control.
Share Your Creations With Us
We’d love to see your shark-themed bookmarks! Snap a photo and share it with us on social media. Use the hashtag #SharkBookmarksFun to join our growing community of little crafters and readers.
Encourage your kids to take pride in their creations and show them off. Who knows? Their bookmark might inspire another young reader to start their own reading adventure.
Make Reading Fun This Summer
Our free shark bookmarks are more than just crafts. They’re tools to ignite imagination, develop key skills, and make reading time extra special. By combining creativity with literacy, these bookmarks can turn even the most reluctant reader into a book enthusiast.
Download your free templates today, and watch as your kids discover the joy of reading one page at a time. Happy crafting and happy reading!
All printables are for for personal, library, or classroom use only. By using this site, you agree to our terms of use.
Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no extra cost to you if you decide to purchase a product. These are products that I personally stand behind. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.