Have you ever met someone who is perfectly happy staying in the background? Some people (and animals!) prefer to do their work quietly, avoiding the limelight and finding contentment in their own little corner of the world. But what happens when a shy, quiet soul is suddenly thrust into the center of attention?
That is the charming premise of Carter Goodrich’s book, The Hermit Crab. It’s a wonderful story about personality, bravery, and finding one’s place in the vast ocean. With International Crab Day approaching on April 26th, there is no better time to dive into the world of crustaceans!
Whether you are a teacher looking for a beach-themed classroom activity or a parent searching for a fun way to keep little hands busy on a rainy afternoon, this Super Cute Crab Papercraft is the perfect solution. Using just colored paper and a few basic supplies, your children can create their own “clipping” and “clacking” friends to join their toy collection.
Why Kids Love Learning About Crabs
Crabs are fascinating creatures that immediately capture a child’s imagination. From their funny side-shuffling walk to their protective shells and powerful pincers, they look like little armored knights of the sea.
Teaching kids about crabs through literature and crafts helps them explore:
- Adaptation: How crabs use shells for protection.
- Marine Biology: Understanding the difference between crustaceans and fish.
- Social-Emotional Growth: Using stories like The Hermit Crab to discuss shyness and courage.
Fun Books about Crabs for Kids
To make this craft even more engaging, we recommend reading a “crabby” book before you start. Here are some of our favorites that pair beautifully with a papercraft session:
- “A House for Hermit Crab” by Eric Carle: A classic tale about growth and change as a crab looks for the perfect shell.
- “Don’t Worry, Little Crab” by Chris Haughton: A heartwarming story about overcoming fear and trying something new.
- “Clem and Crab” by Fiona Lumbers: A lovely story about a girl who finds a crab stuck in plastic and learns about ocean conservation.
- “The Hermit Crab” by Carter Goodrich: The story of a shy crab who unexpectedly becomes a hero.
- “Get Well, Crabby!” by Jonathan Fenske: A humorous “easy reader” book that is perfect for kids just starting to read on their own.
Supplies Required
You don’t need a trip to the specialty store for this project! Most of these items are already sitting in your junk drawer or craft bin:
- Colored Craft Papers: Traditionally, crabs are red, orange, or yellow. However, feel free to use bright neon colors or even patterned paper for a “fancy” crab!
- Pencil: For tracing your templates accurately.
- Scissors: Ensure you have a pair of child-safe safety scissors.
- Craft Glue: A glue stick works best for flat paper, but white liquid glue is fine too.
- Sharpies or Markers: To draw on the facial expressions and details.
- Cardstock (Optional): Using a thicker paper for the legs and claws will make the crab sturdier and allow it to “stand” better
How to Make the Super Cute Crab Papercraft: Step-by-Step
1. Prepare Your Template
Start by downloading and printing the crab papercraft template. This template should include the large oval for the body, two large pincers (claws), several thin legs, and the eye stalks. If you don’t have a printer, you can easily hand-draw these shapes by looking at a reference photo—crabs are mostly made of ovals and triangles!
2. Trace and Cut
Place your template pieces onto your colored craft paper. Trace around them with your pencil.
- The Body: Use a bright color like red or orange.
- The Eyes: Trace the small circles on white paper.
- The Legs: Use the same color as the body, or a slightly darker shade for contrast. Once traced, carefully cut out all the pieces.
3. Assemble the Face
Crabs often have eyes on stalks that peek out from the top of their shells.
- Take your white circles and use a black Sharpie to draw a large, friendly pupil in the center.
- Glue the white eyes onto the small rectangular “stalks.”
- Glue the stalks to the back of the main body oval so they peek out over the top.
- Use your marker to draw a big, happy smile right in the middle of the body!
4. Attach the Pincers
The claws are the most recognizable part of a crab.
- Glue the large pincers to the upper sides of the body.
- Pro Tip: To make the crab look more dynamic, glue the claws at a slight upward angle, as if the crab is waving “hello!”
5. Add the Legs
Crabs are famous for their many legs!
- Take your thin leg cutouts and glue them to the sides and bottom of the body.
- In nature, most crabs have ten legs (including the claws), but for a cute papercraft, three legs on each side usually looks just right.
- Slightly fold the legs in the middle to give them a “jointed” look, allowing your paper crab to have a bit of a 3D effect.
Fun Facts to Share While Crafting
While the glue is drying, keep the kids entertained with these “claw-some” crab facts:
- Side-Steppers: Most crabs walk and run sideways. This is because of the way their legs are attached to their bodies!
- Communication: Crabs don’t talk like we do. Instead, they communicate by drumming their claws or waving their pincers at one another.
- Armor Wearers: A crab’s shell is actually its skeleton! Because the skeleton is on the outside, it is called an exoskeleton.
- The Giant Crab: The Japanese Spider Crab is the largest in the world—its legs can grow up to 12 feet long!
- Small but Mighty: The smallest crabs are called “Pea Crabs,” and they are only a few millimeters wide.
Creative Variations to Try
- The Glitter Crab: Use a glue pen to add “sand” or glitter to the edges of the shell to make it look like it just came out of the sparkling ocean.
- The Plate Crab: If you don’t have craft paper, you can use a paper plate painted red as the body. It makes for a much larger, sturdier craft.
- Background Art: Glue your finished crab onto a blue piece of paper. Add some real sand at the bottom and some green paper “seaweed” to create a complete underwater scene.
Conclusion
Creating this Super Cute Crab Papercraft is a wonderful way to celebrate International Crab Day and foster a love for marine life in children. It encourages them to think about the stories they read, like The Hermit Crab, and brings those characters to life in their own hands.
This activity proves that you don’t need expensive toys to have a great time—sometimes, all you need is a little bit of paper, a pair of scissors, and a whole lot of imagination!
