Make a Mermaid Toy

A sparkly, colorful mermaid marionette puppet that you can use for playtime or puppet shows! This easy DIY mermaid toy is so fun to make with kids.

Talk about a perfect project to make with your kids during the summer!

Enjoy the beachy vibes while you craft this easy-to-make, whimsical mermaid toy with children, or just with friends! (I actually think she’d be adorable hanging as decor as well.)

DIY Mermaid Toy Made with Recycled Materials

I bet you have everything you need to make this fanciful mermaid toy, right in your home.

Made with upcycled and recycled materials, you can craft the mermaid using an old egg carton and a few extras.

I think she’d be extra cute if you added a few little seashells or beads as well, so use your imagination and make the mermaid your own.

More Upcycled Toy Projects

Summertime is the perfect season to experiment with DIY projects, especially if you’re home with kids.

Making things together is such a special way to spend time – and at the end you have something very cool to show for it.

Try making our narwhal puppet, or even this circus train for kids who love animals.

Also check out these toy binoculars and cardboard satchels for kids who love to go on nature walks, or this classic car for kids of any age.

Supplies You’ll Need

• egg carton
• paint
• paintbrush
• embroidery thread
• needle
• popsicle stick
• low-temp glue gun
• pen
• wood beads

How to Make a Cardboard Mermaid Toy

1. Cut out 7 cups from your egg carton, trying to keep edges rounded and smooth. Then cut an 8th cup so that it has four points.
2. Paint each cup in various colors. Fold the 8th cup in half and lightly glue ends together so that it looks like fins for the end of the mermaid’s bottom half.
3. Thread your needle and tie a bead on the end. Sew from the inside of the fins through to the outside (the single bead should stay inside the fin to secure the thread). Then string on 2 beads and sew through another painted cup. Continue this way until all of your cups are sewn together. Tie off the thread at the top.
4. Cut your mermaid torso/head/hair and arms out using the lid of your egg carton for material. This should be in three pieces — two arms and the torso with head and hair. Paint your mermaid as you like (add glitter too!). Paint hair, seashells, and allow to dry.
5. Sew the arms over the shoulders somewhat loosely, so that they can move.
6. Fold the bottom 1/4” of the mermaid’s torso backward and glue it to the top of the mermaid tail with low-temp hot glue.
7. Glue two popsicle sticks together to form an X.
8. Sew one thread to the mermaid’s hair and one to each wrist. Then wrap those threads around the center and sides of the popsicle stick handles.
9. Make your mermaid swim and dance as you create puppet shows!

Ideas for Your Mermaid Toy

Toys that encourage creative play are my absolute favorite, and this DIY mermaid toy is perfect for just that.

You can pair this perfectly with our DIY narwhal puppet and put on sea-themed puppet shows or stories!

Cut up a cardboard box to make a puppet show theatre, or just have your kiddos stand behind a piece of cardboard or posterboard. Then they can hang the puppets over the front side and act out stories and plays.

Have fun! xoxo

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