Flashy, Splashy Koi Fish Windsock

crayola supplies

Erasable Colored Pencils
Pointed Tip Scissors
Color Surge™ Markers and Paper System

household supplies

recycled cardboard roll from Hallmark gift wrap
hole punch
stapler and staples
ribbon
clear adhesive tape
dowel stick

Why

What better way to jazz up a breezy day than with a bright windsock? With Crayola Color Surge™ Markers and Paper, your banner is sure to be more colorful than real-life fish!

Steps

1. Draw a large fish on Crayola Color Surge™ Paper with Color Surge Markers. Make the fish at least 5 inches (13 cm) wide. Cut out your fish. Trace your fish on another sheet of Color Surge Paper and cut it out, too.
2. Use Color Surge Markers to decorate the sides of your fish that will face outward.
3. Draw two small fins for each side of the fish. Cut them out and decorate them. Attach fins to your fish with double-stick tape or glue dots.
4. Lay both fish together so their decorated sides face out. Staple several places ONLY along the edge of the top and bottom of the fish. Leave the ends open.
5. Cut a cardboard roll to fit inside the fish. Punch several holes in one end. Cut ribbons of varying lengths. Tie ribbon in the holes. Carefully insert the tube in the fish so the ribbons hang out the back.
6. Punch one hole on each side of the fish’s mouth. Tie ribbon through both sides in a loop. Tie more ribbon to the fish’s mouth and to the dowel. Decorate the dowel with braids of ribbon if you like.
7. Display your windsock indoors or outside where it will stay dry. Watch the colors flash and splash as your art blows in gentle breezes!

When & Where

"Our girls made a ton of these to hang from our float in the annual parade. We stood out from all the other floats! "
- Sofie K., Scout leader, ages 9 to 12

"This was a fun craft for my kids to make while I worked in the yard. We hung their windsocks in the garden until evening."
- Jennifer T., mom of ages 8 and 10

Interesting Info

Koi are selectively bred carp from a natural anomaly first discovered and developed in Japan, from where all things Koi emanate. The Japanese are the best breeders of Koi in the world.

Safety Guidelines

Recycled Cardboard Tubes—Use paper towel tubes, gift-wrap tubes, or long cardboard tubes that can be cut to any length. Health professionals caution against using recycled toilet paper tubes for arts & crafts projects because of the potential fecal contamination.

Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.

String-Like Materials—Includes string, raffia, lacing, yarn, ribbon, and other similar material. Children 3 years and younger should not be given any string-like material that is longer than 12 inches. Close adult supervision is essential whenever children use string-like material. When crafts are to be worn around the necks of children 8 years and younger, attach the ends of the “string-like material” with clear adhesive tape, which allows easy release of the bond if the craft becomes entangled or caught on equipment. For children older than 8 years, the ends of the “string-like material” may be tied and knotted.

Wood—By its nature, wood is rough and may contain splinters or sharp points