Dollar Store Clothespin Sharks

Here’s another fun dollar store craft that is perfect for Shark Week or any sea-themed parties. You can make these adorable clothespin sharks in about half an hour.

You can give the kids the supplies and let them make their own sharks as a birthday party activity. Or you can make them in advance and clip them to the goodie bags.

DOLLAR STORE CLOTHESPIN SHARKS

It’s Summer Fun Friday and this craft is simple and inexpensive to make and loads of fun. Find more summer fun Friday ideas here.

Materials needed:

• Clothespins, Wooden Spring-Style
• Acrylic Craft Paint – Red, Light Grey, Dark Grey
• Craft Felt – Light Grey, Dark Grey
• Googly Eyes
• Cardstock, White
• Glue Gun and Glue Sticks (you can also use liquid glue but obviously, it will need extra time to dry)
• Marker
• Paintbrush
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Ruler
• PATTERNS FOR CLOTHESPIN SHARKS

Do you know what a group of sharks is called? (Answer at the bottom of the post)

Instructions:

STEP ONE

Gather all supplies. Paint the front and sides of two clothespins with light grey acrylic craft paint. Paint two clothespins with dark grey acrylic craft paint. Let dry completely, and apply a second coat, if necessary. 

STEP TWO

Squeeze the clothespins open and paint the inside with red acrylic craft paint. Let dry completely, and apply a second coat, if necessary.

STEP THREE

Measure and cut a strip of white cardstock ½” wide. Using detail scissors, cut small rectangles. Cut triangles from one side of the rectangle to create teeth. 

STEP FOUR

Attach a set of teeth to the top and the bottom of each clothespin with a glue gun and glue sticks.

STEP FIVE

Attach two wiggle eyes to each clothespin shark with a glue gun and glue sticks. 

STEP SIX

Download, print, and cut out the CLOTHESPIN SHARKS PATTERNS. Trace the fin and tail patterns twice onto light grey and dark grey craft felt with a marker. Carefully cut out all patterns using scissors. Cut inside the traced lines for a clean, finished project.

You can also use colored cardstock or craft foam if you do not have felt.

STEP SEVEN

Using the photo as a guide, attach the tail to the inside of the clothespin handle with a glue gun and glue sticks. Glue the fins on the right and left-hand sides of the clothespin shark. Glue the dorsal fin to the top of the shark.

DID YOU KNOW? A group of sharks is called a shiver.