How to Make Sea Creatures Out of Egg Cartons

Whether you are planning a trip to the beach or aquarium, you just may see plenty of sea creatures but probably not any as adorable as these sea creature made out of egg carton cups!

To make any or all of these cute sea creatures, all you need is an egg carton and some basic craft supplies. Feel free to substitute other supplies for the ones I used if you don’t have them on hand. For example, if you don’t have google eyes, you can simply paint on eyes. It you don’t have the beads needed to make the tentacles of the octopus, you can cut small circles out of craft foam, felt, or even paper and glue them on. I encourage you to play with different supplies and come up with your own creations.

Supplies Needed to Make Sea Creatures Out of Egg Cartons:

Egg Carton (cardboard works best)
Paint
Craft Glue
Google Eyes

Tools Needed:

Scissors or Utility Knife
Paint Brush

Besides the supplies listed above, each creature will need one or more additional supplies. The supplies needed are usually basics in my craft cupboard and hopefully they are in yours also!

DIY Egg Carton Crab

In addition to the supplies listed above, to make a crab you will also need:

2 Red Chenille Stems

The first thing you need to do is cut one cup from the egg carton. Flip the cup over and paint it red.

While the paint is drying, grab the two red chenille stems and some scissors (use old scissors for this or even a wire cutter). First, cut two pieces that are each about 6-inches long (these will be the crab’s pinchers). You will then want to cut 8 pieces that are each about 1 1/2-inches long for the crab’s legs. Finally, cut two pieces for the eyes, these should each be about a 1/2-inch long.

Grab your 6-inch chenille stem pieces and bend them to look like pinchers. As you can see in the picture above, I bent one end a few times to accomplish this. You could also simply fold the chenille stem in half, twist the part nearest the bend, and bend out the ends.

Now, flip your painted egg carton cup over and glue on the legs and pinchers. Let the glue dry.

Finally, flip your crab back so it is right-side-up and glue on the two 1/2-inch long chenille stems and then glue the google eyes to the ends of those.

Your egg carton crab is now done!

DIY Egg Carton Octopus

In addition to the supplies lsited above, to make a octopus you will also need:

Felt
Pony Beads

For this egg carton sea creature, you will need to cut one cup from the egg carton. Paint the bottom of the egg carton cup. I used a beige colored paint, but you can choose whatever color you want — just make sure your felt color matches. Let your paint dry.

While the paint is drying, you can cut the octopus tentacles from felt. Cut eight strips that are each about 6-inches long and approximately 1/2-inch wide.

Flip your egg carton cup over and glue the tentacles into the cup. Put about four drops of glue on each felt tentacle and set the pony beads on them. Let the glue dry.

Now, flip the octopus over and glue on two google eyes.

Isn’t he (or her) just adorable?

DIY Egg Carton Starfish

In addition to the supplies lsited above, to make a starfish you will also need:

Pony Beads

This little star fish and fast and easy to make. First of all, cut a simple cup from the egg carton. Next, cut that cup into a star shape. It is easiest to do this by cutting 5 slits and then cutting the points. Paint the star you cut yellow.

Once the paint is dry, flip your egg carton cup star over and paint it. Let that dry and then glue the beads onto each triangle.

To finish the starfish, flip the star back over and glue the google eyes in place.

DIY Egg Carton Fish

In addition to the supplies lsited above, to make a fish you will also need:

Craft Foam
Chenille Stem

To make this cute fish, you need to cut two cups from your egg carton. Paint the bottom of both of them whatever color you want your fish to be.

Let the paint dry completely and them glue the two egg carton cups together to form the fish’s body.

To make the fins, select a pieces of craft foam and cut out several fins. You will need a tail fin, a top fin, two side fins, and two bottom fins. Experiment with different shapes and sizes. To make the fish’s lips, cut two piece of chenille stem that are a little over an inch long. Fold them in half.

Glue the fins and lips in place.

Finally, glue on a couple of google eyes.

Your fish is now ready to swim its way into everyone’s hearts!

DIY Egg Carton Jelly Fish

In addition to the supplies lsited above, to make a jelly fish you will also need:

Yarn

Cut a single cup from the egg carton. flip it over and paint it. Let the paint dry.

While you are waiting for the paint to dry, cut several pieces of yarn. I cut 8 of them, each about 10-inches long.

Now, flip over the egg carton cup and glue one end of each piece of yarn into the bottom of the cup.

Once the glue is dry, glue the goggle eyes onto the jelly fish.

DIY Egg Carton Oyster

In addition to the supplies lsited above, to make a oysters you will also need:

Masking Tape
Felt
Fake Pearl, Bead, or White Pom-Pom

To make this final sea creature, you need to cut 2 cups from the egg carton. Paint the inside and outside of both of them. I used a light gray, but you can use whatever color you prefer.

Cut a small piece of masking tape that is about a half inch wide and an inch long. Set one egg carton cup on top of the other and use the tape to connect them. Paint over the masking tape. Let the paint dry.

Cut 3 or four circles out of felt that fit inside the egg carton cup. Push each circle into one of the gg carton cups. There is no need to glue these in place. Set your fake pearl on the bed of felt.