Shark Week is just a few days away! How many of you like to indulge in all episodes aired regarding the life of sharks in the deep dark ocean? We try to watch as many episodes as we can to learn about these fabulous beasts. Of course, the shark themed food and crafts are a big part of this week for us as well. This year we are going to be making a Moving Paper Shark for one of our Shark Week Crafts!
When I first saw this fun paper craft, I knew it was definitely going on the schedule of fun shark week crafts. There are several steps to completing this awesome craft, so I have separated it into sections and included a lot of pictures. It is SUCH A FUN CRAFT! I put letters and measurements directly on the paper to make it easier to follow, however, you don’t need to do this on yours. If you choose to do so, then I suggest you write them in pencil so you can erase them after assembly.
Materials Needed ~
- Colored paper (I used cardstock) – blue, red, white
- 1 blue piece measuring 8 1/2 X 8 1/2
- 1 blue piece measuring 3 1/2 X 8 1/2
- various blue scrap pieces
- 1 red piece measuring 3 X 3 1/2
- 1 white piece – to make 4 strips each measuring 5″ X 1/2″
- glue stick
- scissors/paper cutter
- googly eyes
- ruler
Directions for Moving Paper Shark ~
Shark Body – With 8 1/2 X 8 1/2 Paper
- Turn the 8 1/2 X 8 1/2 piece of paper diagonally in front of you
- Fold corner B over to corner D. Run your finger over the crease to ensure the crease is strong.
- Open the paper back up flat on the table.
- Fold corner B to center crease, run finger over crease and unfold.
- Fold corner D to center crease, run finger over crease and unfold.
- Fold corner B back over to corner D and then flip paper over so that the longest side of the paper is directly in front of you. Corner B will be pointing up to the top.
- Leaving about 2 1/2″ on the right side, start cutting strips from bottom fold to middle crease. This is creating the moving part of the body and the uncut portion on the right will become the snout of the shark.
- Flip paper back over and unfold.
- Glue whole section of Corner B (from tip to first fold).
- Bring Point D to B by tucking section D down and glue to B, forming the body of your shark.
- Once it is glued, corner C will be the only corner sticking out, which will become the snout of the shark.
- Turn it over and set aside.
Underside of Shark Mouth – With 3 1/2 X 8 1/2 Paper
- Fold 3 1/2 X 8 1/2 paper in half by bringing Side A over to Side B.
- Open and cut on fold, making 2 pieces.
- With one of the cut pieces, fold paper in half lengthwise.
- Starting at one end, cut in a somewhat rounded shape up to the top.
- Open up and glue end of straight edge to underside of shark’s face.
- Trim any excess on sides
Fins – With Scrap Paper
- With the scraps of paper, cut out 1 dorsal fin (for top), 2 pectoral fins (1 for each side) and 1 caudal fin (for the back) I freehanded mine as I found it easier.
- Glue the fins on.
Shark Mouth ~ With Red Paper
- Cut a piece of red paper about 3″ X 3 1/2″. Cut it to fit inside the mouth, shaping the top of it to a point.
Shark Teeth – With White Paper
- Cut 4 strips of white paper about 5″ long by about 1/2″ each. You can measure the sides of your shark mouth to be more precise if you wish.
- Place all 4 strips on top of each other and cut small triangle shapes all the way down the length of the paper, creating pointy shark teeth.
- Glue each strip inside the mouth. After the glue dries on the bottom set of teeth, gently fold them up
Shark Eyes ~
- Glue 2 googly eyes on each side of the shark snout.
Other Shark Craft Ideas ~
I have been posting about shark week over the last several years. We love everything about shark week with snacks and crafts! We did a different type of shark with a moving mouth in 2021. Click here to see the shark with moving mouth craft we did a couple of years ago! 
Another fun post was one filled with fun shark game ideas (along with some free printables). Click here to see the fun shark game ideas! Clothespin sharks are fun too….Check them out here! 
Don’t forget to include some of these games to your week to enhance the fun:
Fun Shark Facts to Share ~
- Did you know there are more than 440 known species of sharks living in all the diferent seas on earth?
- Shark teeth continuously grow back…you will never see a naturally toothless shark.
- Sharks don’t have bones!
- When you flip a shark upside down, they go into a trance-like state, called tonic immobility.
- Not all sharks have the same teeth.
- Scientists age sharks by counting the rings on their vertebrae.
- Sharks can only swim forward.
Shark week is a great time to understand more about the amazing life of sharks. We fear them, but there are a lot of misconceptions about these beasts! If you haven’t ever watched any episodes during shark week, give it a try this year! They are truly fascinating!
Are there any shark crafts you have done that you just love? I would love to hear about them and see a pic….post it in the comments below!
Enjoy those sharks~
Mimi
