A fish tank made out of paper? Sounds a little strange, right?
But trust me! With just a few pieces of scrap paper and some sticky tape, you and your child can create a mini paper aquarium that actually holds water. Yes, water! And no leaks!
This fun little project is perfect for a rainy afternoon or a screen-free activity that turns recycling into creativity.
What You’ll Need:
- Scrap paper (printer paper or old notebook paper)
- Sticky tape
- Scissors
- Watercolor markers or crayons
- A small bottle of water
- Leftover paper for drawing fish
Step-by-Step: Let’s Build the Tank
- Fold your paper carefully to make a square, just trim off the extra edge.
- Make it waterproof by sticking tape on both sides of the entire sheet. This is what keeps your tank from leaking!
- Start folding the tank:
- Fold the top and bottom corners toward the center.
- Flip the paper over and fold the top and bottom edges to the middle.
- Flip it back, then fold the left and right corners to the center.
- The taped paper may feel a little springy. That’s okay!
- Reinforce the corners with more tape to keep everything tight.
- Now fold all four corners inward, flatten them, and tape them down.
- Flip it over and gently pop the tank open. You now have a tiny, waterproof paper tank.
👉 Watch the video here and follow along step-by-step!
Decoration
To make your tank look like the ocean, use watercolor markers to draw circles on the bottom. They’ll look like bubbles when you add water.
Then pour in a little water and watch it turn clear blue.
Next, draw small fish (or even sharks and crocodiles!) on leftover paper. Color them, cut them out, and tape them gently so they can float or hang inside the tank. Now your mini fish have a home!
Why Kids Love This
- It’s hands-on and creative.
- It teaches simple folding and construction.
- It sparks imagination. Kids can raise clownfish, sharks, or even sea dragons!
- And best of all: it actually works!
Try It Today!
Gather some scrap paper, grab your little helper, and make your own paper aquarium. This DIY activity is not only fun, but also teaches patience, folding skills, and a little science (hello, waterproofing!).
💬 We’d love to see your finished fish tanks!
Snap a photo and share it with us using the hashtags below!
Want to See How It’s Done?
Watch the video below and follow along step-by-step!