Submarines are amazing machines, aren’t they? They are the spaceships of the deep ocean, exploring territories that are just as alien and mysterious as outer space. If you have a little explorer at home who loves the ocean, machinery, or just cool vehicles, we have the perfect activity for you. Let’s learn more about these underwater marvels with this fun, easy, and educational submarine bookmark papercraft for kids!
This project is not just about cutting and pasting; it is about sparking curiosity. We will combine creativity with a little bit of history and science, turning a simple crafting afternoon into a full STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) lesson. Plus, the end result is a functional item that will encourage your children to “dive” into their next favorite book!
The Fascinating World of Underwater Exploration
One of the biggest news stories of 2023 involved the Titan submersible, a vessel created to explore the wreckage of the famous Titanic. While that specific expedition ended in tragedy, it ignited a global conversation and renewed curiosity about vessels that travel underwater.
It is truly incredible to think that a man-made machine can descend to the crushing depths of the ocean floor, withstand the immense pressure, and keep humans safe inside for months at a time. That is the magic of a submarine! Unlike submersibles (which need a mother ship), submarines are fully autonomous and can stay submerged for very long periods.
Before we get our glue sticks out, let’s share some cool trivia with the kids to get them excited about the project.
Fun Facts about Submarines
- Not a Ship, but a Boat: While we often think of large vessels as ships, submarines are traditionally called “boats” by naval officers, regardless of their size!
- The First Military Sub: The first known military submarine was built way back in 1775 during the American Revolutionary War. It was called the ‘Turtle’, it looked like a wooden acorn, and it could only hold one person who had to pedal it like a bike!
- Crowded Quarters: Modern submarines are massive. Some are longer than a football field and can house a crew of over 100 people living underwater for months.
- Global Powers: The United States and Russia currently operate the largest fleets of submarines in the world.
- A Heavy Price Tag: These are complex machines! An average submarine costs anywhere from $80 million to over $2 billion to build.
Fortunately, the submarine we are building today won’t cost billions. In fact, it will barely cost pennies!
Why This Craft is Great for Kids
As parents and educators, we are always looking for activities that are “low mess, high engagement.” This submarine bookmark fits the bill perfectly.
- Encourages Reading: By creating a special bookmark, children feel a sense of ownership over their reading materials. They are more eager to open a book just to use the tool they made themselves.
- Fine Motor Skills: Tracing templates, cutting out small shapes like circles (portholes) and curved lines (propellers), and gluing them precisely helps refine hand-eye coordination.
- Imaginative Play: Once the bookmark is done, don’t be surprised if it flies through the air or “swims” across the table before it lands in a book.
Supplies Required
You don’t need fancy materials for this project. Most of these items are likely already in your craft drawer.
- Colored Craft Papers: We recommend bright, contrasting colors. Yellow (like the famous Beatles song!), Blue, Purple, and Orange work well.
- Cardstock: A slightly thicker paper for the base of the bookmark to ensure it is sturdy.
- Pencil: For tracing the template.
- A Pair of Scissors: Child-safe scissors are best for younger kids.
- Craft Glue: A glue stick is less messy, but liquid school glue works too.
- Black Marker: For adding fine details.
- Ruler: To measure the bookmark strip.
(Note: While some submarine crafts use cardboard tubes, for this specific bookmark project, we are focusing on a flat papercraft design that fits neatly inside a book without damaging the spine.)
How to Make the Submarine Bookmark Papercraft
Follow these simple step-by-step instructions to assemble your underwater vessel.
Step 1: Prepare Your Shapes
First, you need to decide on the shape of your submarine. You can draw a simple oval shape for the body, a small rectangle for the tower (the top part), and a few circles for windows.
- The Body: Draw a large, elongated oval or a “cigar” shape on your main color paper (e.g., Yellow).
- The Tower (Sail): Draw a smaller square or rectangle that will sit on top of the body.
- The Periscope: Draw a thin ‘L’ shape.
- The Propeller: Draw a small flower-petal shape or a bow-tie shape for the back.
- The Windows: Draw 2 or 3 small circles on a contrasting color (like light blue or white).
If you are not confident drawing freehand, you can easily find a submarine coloring page online, print it, and use it as a stencil!
Step 2: Cut Out the Pieces
Carefully cut out all the shapes you have drawn. This is the part where younger kids might need a little help, especially with the smaller pieces like the periscope or the tiny windows.
- Tip: If you want the submarine to face a specific direction, make sure you trace your shapes on the back of the paper so pencil marks don’t show on the front.
Step 3: Assemble the Hull
Take the large oval body piece. This is the hull of your submarine.
- Paste the Rudders (fins) at the back. A submarine usually has vertical and horizontal rudders to steer. You can glue small triangle shapes at the very tail end of the oval.
- Glue the Propeller over the rudders at the back. This pushes the sub through the water!
Step 4: Add the Conning Tower and Periscope
The “bump” on top of a submarine is called the sail or conning tower.
- Glue your square/rectangle piece to the top center of the oval body.
- Attach the Periscope (the ‘L’ shape) to the top of the tower. This is how the captain sees what is happening above the surface while the boat is underwater.
Step 5: Install the Portholes
A submarine isn’t complete without windows!
- Take your small circles and glue them in a horizontal line across the center of the main body.
- To make them look like real glass, you can use a white gel pen or a bit of white paint to add a “reflection” dot on the blue circles.
Step 6: Create the Bookmark Base
Now that your submarine is assembled, we need to turn it into a bookmark. You have two options here:
- The Strip Method: Cut a long, rectangular strip of cardstock (about 2 inches wide and 6 inches long). Glue your submarine to the very top of this strip. The strip goes inside the book, and the submarine peeks out the top!
- The Popsicle Stick Method: Simply glue the finished paper submarine onto the top of a jumbo craft stick (popsicle stick).
Step 7: Final Touches
Use a black marker to add details. You can draw rivets (little dots) along the seams of the metal plates, outline the windows, or write your name on the side of the sub (e.g., S.S. Explorer).
The Science of Submarines: A Mini-Lesson
While the glue is drying, why not teach your kids how a submarine actually works? It’s a great way to sneak in some physics!
Ask your child: “How does a heavy metal boat float, and how does it sink when it wants to?”
The Answer: It’s all about Buoyancy. Submarines have special tanks called “ballast tanks.”
- To Float: These tanks are filled with air. Air is lighter than water, so the sub floats on the surface.
- To Dive: The captain opens valves to let water flood into the tanks, pushing the air out. The water makes the sub heavy, so it sinks.
- To Surface: Compressed air is pumped back into the tanks, forcing the water out. The sub becomes light again and shoots up to the top!
You can demonstrate this in the bathtub with a plastic bottle. Screw the cap on (it floats). Put water inside (it sinks). It’s simple physics in action!
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed making this Superb Submarine Bookmark Papercraft! It is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon, and the result is a practical tool that celebrates the wonder of reading.
In a world dominated by screens, taking the time to cut, glue, and create with paper helps ground children and gives them a sense of accomplishment. Plus, every time they open their book and see their little yellow (or purple, or green) submarine, they will be reminded of the fun time you spent together.
