Creating a fishbowl is a fun and educational toddler and preschool craft. It provides a hands-on learning experience and helps develop fine motor skills. . Follow this simple guide to create a fish bowl with your little ones. Credit: Original idea from Karen Flynn in the Easy Toddler and Preschool Activities FB group.

Materials Needed**

• plastic jar (with a lid; this jar is 18 oz) other plastic jar option (white lids, 18 oz.)
• Small aquarium rocks
• Goldfish           Other fish option
• Aquatic plants (optional)
• Tiny shells (optional)
• Glue
• Funnel (with wide mouth, optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep Work

Set up a safe and clean work area for your preschool craft. I would use a large shallow container or art tray to catch any mess if the children are helping with assembly. You might want to wash off aquarium rock in a colander before using. The rock sometimes has some dust/small particles on it which might cloud the water.

2. Assembly

Using the funnel, have children pour rocks into their jar. Drop in plant. You can bury the end of the plant in the rocks to secure it if you like, but kiddos might want to use the jar as a sensory jar or bottle.

Add water. Fill almost to the top.

Add fish.

3. Seal the Jar with Strong Adhesive

Once everything is in the jar, use a strong adhesive to securely attach the lid to the jar. This prevents any accidental spills or curious little hands from opening the jar. I had a difficult time getting the lid on the jar well. I may look for some other options for jars and I’ll update the post.

A Few Notes:

1. This activity can be a great activity for both preschoolers and toddlers. Pre-K can probably do a little more when assembling. This can be the perfect activity for practice pouring and using a funnel.

2. Make sure you have the lid screwed on correctly and you glue the lid on BEFORE you pick the jar up.

3. There are tons of different kinds of rocks available — I like the sea glass-looking rock.

4. It has been suggested the kind of fish you are using DOES MATTER. Some of the less expensive fish will float on their side, giving them a “dead fish floating” look, which you might want to steer clear of. Just be careful when purchasing if you go with a different product. The ones linked in this post all have the “moving tails”.

5. You can also use small peanut butter jars for this project, if you’re looking to repurpose items. There are TONS of different kind of plastic jars on Amazon if you’re looking for something different, varying in size and price.

6. You can add glitter if you like or other things that might sink or float in the water to make it a little more interesting if you like. (I added tiny shells to mine).

Making a fish bowl is a delightful craft activity that engages preschoolers and teaches them about caring for animals. By following these simple steps, you can create a beautiful and educational “fish bowl” with your little ones.

Happy crafting!

**There are affiliate links in this post. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you!