• Children often find jellyfish intriguing.child looking at jellyfish at aquarium image by jedphoto from Fotolia.com
  
  Jellyfish often fascinate children with their nearly transparent bodies and poisonous tentacles. Incorporate jellyfish crafts into a unit on ocean life or a study of animal self-defense mechanisms. Ask children to guess how jellyfish eat, move and grow. Observe children as they create jellyfish and notice the depth of scientific knowledge revealed in conversation and in the crafting process.
  
  

Paper Bowl Jellyfish

• Cut long strips of tissue paper to use as tentacles.tissue paper image by Christopher Hall from Fotolia.com
  
  Ideas 4 Kids, an online resource, describes an ethereal jellyfish craft. Paint the bottom of a paper bowl and cut it into halves. Attach long strips of crepe paper or tissue paper to the unpainted side of the bowl so that they hang down like tentacles. Add longer strips of tissue paper in a second color to the middle of the bowl. Staple the halves of the bowl together for the body of the jellyfish. Hang the jellyfish near an open window to see it “swim” in the breeze.
  
  

Craft Foam Jellyfish

• Paint dots on the jellyfish using bubble wrap.bubble wrap image by Vonora from Fotolia.com
  
  Give children lots of options when they create a craft foam jellyfish based on suggestions from Kideas. Cut a half-circle from a sheet of craft foam to create the body of the jellyfish. Dip a small paper cup in paint and stamp circles onto the craft foam. Alternatively, make smaller circles using bubble wrap dipped in paint. Add tentacles made from tissue paper or crepe paper. In another variation, thread translucent beads onto several lengths of string or fishing. Glue the strings of beads to the back of the craft foam to make tentacles.
  
  

Fruit Cup Jellyfish

• Add glitter to make the jellyfish sparkle.pots of glitter image by Warren Millar from Fotolia.com
  
  Create a jellyfish from recycled materials, as recommended by Disney Family Fun. Cover the inside of a plastic fruit cup with watered-down glue and sprinkle on a thin layer of glitter. Press small pieces of tissue paper onto the bottom and sides of the fruit cup, then cover with another layer of glue. When dry, invert the cup and poke a hole through the center. Cut several long pieces of yarn or ribbon and tie them together near the top with another piece of yarn. Insert the ends of the yarn through the hole for a hanger.
  
  

Jellyfish Glove Painting

• Turn a latex glove into a jellyfish for a simple painting experience.latex gloves image by Wendy Lea Morgan from Fotolia.com
  
  Even the youngest children can enjoy jellyfish glove painting. Simply fill a latex glove with water and wrap a rubber band around the end of the glove to close it. The fingers of the glove will be the jellyfish’s tentacles and the hand portion will be the body. Dip the tentacles in paint and sweep them across the paper to create a design. Substitute a rubber or plastic glove for children who may have latex allergies.