If your kids are into mermaid crafts, they’ll love this easy paper bag mermaid crown. It’s a quick and easy craft for toddlers and preschoolers and perfect for dress-up play.
We’re a little obsessed with paper bag crafts at the moment.
Last week we made a flowered tiara out of a paper bag and the other day we made bug headbands and an alien hat out of paper bags.
Today, I bring to you our simple paper bag Mermaid Crown craft.
Great for a Costume or Dress Up Play
It’s really easy to make, and perfect for a mermaid costume or for pretend play and dress up play.
Young children will love exploring the materials you’ll use to decorate your crown. We’re using seashells of course, because they’re a given when it comes to mermaids, and we’re using raffia because it resembles strands of dried seaweed.
How to Make a Paper Bag Mermaid Crown:
Supplies:
- Paper grocery bag
- assorted seashells
- raffia or ribbon
- paint
- low temp glue gun
Making Your Crown:
Paint a paper bag
Cut the bottom off your paper bag, flatten the bag out, and give it a coat of paint. We used acrylic craft paints, but poster paint would work well too.
When the hooligans had one side of their paper bags painted, we dried them quickly with a hairdryer, and then flipped them and painted the other side.
If you’re wondering what the green bag is for… while the girls were making their mermaid crowns, the boys were making these alien head pieces.
Roll the bag
When the bag is completely dry, roll the top edge down toward the inside of the bag until the entire bag has been rolled up.
You’ll need to use your glue gun to stick down any loose edges.
You’ll now have something that looks like this:
Decorate with shells and raffia
Now, hand it all over to your little one, and let her attach the shells and raffia with a low heat glue gun.
Using a glue gun with young children
Low Heat Glue Guns are a wonderful tool to use when crafting with preschoolers. My 3 year olds have been using them for a few months now, and it’s completely changed the way we craft.
We can make cool 3-dimensional structures and we’re able to glue heavier materials together than we can with liquid glue.
After gluing the raffia on, this was thrilled to try hers on.
She looked at her reflection and said “I look just like a sea princess.”
I have a feeling there will be lots of mermaid pretend play happening here this week.
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Jackie is a mom, wife, home daycare provider, and the creative spirit behind Happy Hooligans. She specializes in kids’ crafts and activities, easy recipes, and parenting. She began blogging in 2011, and today, Happy Hooligans inspires more than 2 million parents, caregivers and Early Years Professionals all over the globe.
Heidi Palutke
My daughter and her mermaid posse would love this! What type of glue gun is it that you actually use, since the one in the pics is not the same as in the shopping link? Thanks!
happyhooligans
I actually don’t know, Heidi. I bought both of mine from a second hand shop, so I really couldn’t tell you where to find it. I just include a link to a similar product for those who prefer the convenience of online shopping. When I can list the exact product, I do, but I’m in Canada, and my Amazon Affiliate is American, so often times, I can only offer a similar product. Glad you liked the post!!
Capri + 3--Theresa
I am sure any child would love to be a mermaid or a merman and make this fun crown to wear! Thanks for sharing on Artsy Play Wednesday. Pinned it!
Melissa@Julia's Bookbag
This is ADORABLE. I’d like to try this out with my daughter! Also, I need a glue gun STAT. 🙂
Trina
This is so very wonderful. I have agreed to babysit my almost-four-year-old nephew for a couple of weeks this summer and he will be excited about this project. I can’t wait to see what else you have for us to do!
happyhooligans
Oooo, I have a couple more coming up in the next week or so that will be perfect for a little boy, Trina! They’re also super easy paper bag crafts!
waggore
OH my! I know a few little girls that would LOVE this activity. I’m so doing this at our next playdate with friends! Yay for little mermaids. Thanks for the post!
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