Rock Fish

Description

Paint these cute pebbles and make rock fish for a class project, ocean or fish unit. Each child in the classroom designed their own rock fish. It was placed on an ocean background making a colorful and creative art display. This could also be an activity for an ocean themed party as a make and take.

Materials for the Rock Fish

Large flat smooth rocks often found at craft supply stores.
Acrylic paint, brush
Black Sharpie Pen
Newspaper to dry on
Construction or butcher paper to display
Acrylic sealer for lasting results. If these are to be placed outside in a flower pot or rock bed, the sealer will grant better longevity.

Steps

Read books of your choice about fish or select one from our suggestions below.. This would also be a great culminating project for a Science unit on fish.
Have all materials ready, rocks rinsed and dry and paint set up in small stations or have the children work in small groups coming to one table at a time.
Talk about the colors you are going to use. Write the color words on the board for younger children. Discuss how to draw a fish and have a few samples on hand for them to get ideas. Talk about making spaces for them to paint in.
If this is for a group of children have labels or masking tape ready to put their name under the rock.
Have each child draw their fish on the rock using the sharpie.
Color in the spaces made with paint.
Let your rock fish dry thoroughly per paint recommendations.

Tips and Suggestions

If you are working with very young children, you might work with just a couple students at a time. That way there will be less confusion about where to draw and how to fill in the colors.
There may be a simple fish stencil for very young children where you can just use a small square sponge with paint to press over the stencil.
For older children you can have them work in pairs with children who need a little extra assistance.