Googly-Eyed Crab Craft - Easy Ocean Animal Project for Kids Using Recycled Cups

Create an adorable sideways-walking crab friend using simple craft supplies! This fun ocean animal project transforms a recycled cup into a silly beach buddy with wiggly googly eyes and sparkly pipe cleaner legs. Perfect for preschoolers and elementary kids who love sea creatures and want to learn about ocean life while creating something amazing from everyday materials.

10-20 minutes Ages 6-10 5 steps may need help

About This Project

A 10–20 minutes craft for ages 6–10, using supplies you likely already have — Hole Punches, Googly Eyes, and White Glue.

GlueStick supports kids from setup to cleanup. After they choose a project, we guide them through gathering the supplies, making it, and cleaning up when they're done. We'll even help them share it safely with trusted family and friends.

Ad-free and kid-safe library — designed by a mom who wants kids to explore and create independently.

This project is perfect for:

Ocean Animal Learning
Recycled Cup Projects
Preschool Sea Creature Activities
Budget-Friendly Beach Crafts
Indoor Summer Projects

Step 1: Cut the pipe cleaners

A crab, like all crustaceans, has 8 legs. Make your crab's 8 legs out of three pipe cleaners by cutting the first two pipe cleaners into three pieces each. Cut the last pipe cleaner in half. The longer pipe cleaner pieces will be your claws. The rest will be it's other legs.

Step 2: Glue the eyes

Cut a fourth pipe cleaner in half. Put an L-shaped bend in each half pipe cleaner so it has more surface area to stick to the glue. Use white glue to attach the large googly eyes to the pipe cleaners and set them aside to dry. If you're in a hurry, you can use a hot glue gun for this step with an adult's permission.

Step 3: Poke the eye holes

SHARP! Grown-up required

Using a drawing compass, poke two holes in the bottom of the cup. This is where the eye stalks will go when they are dry.

Step 4: Bend your claws

Using two of your long pipe cleaner pieces, bend two claws for your crab.

Step 5: Make the claw holes

May need grown-up help

Use a paper hole punch to make holes for the claws. We found it easiest to put some placeholder pipe cleaners in the eyestalk holes while the eyes were still drying. This helped us line up our claws in just the right place. If your hole punch is dull or your cup is very thick, you may need some help from a grown-up with this step. If the hole punch doesn't work, your compass can also be used to make holes.

Step 6: Insert the claws

May need grown-up help

Push the claw pipe cleaners through the holes. Twist them together inside the cup so they don't fall out. This can be tricky for very little fingers. Don't hesitate to ask for help if needed.

Step 7: Make the legs

May need grown-up help

The rest of the legs are made just like the claws, but you'll start with straight legs. Using your hole punch, punch three holes on either side of the body. Try to line them up evenly if you can. Insert one short pipe cleaner piece into each hole. Twist them together inside the cup so they don't fall out. This can be tricky for very little fingers. Don't hesitate to ask for help if needed. Once the legs are secure, bend the part outside of the cup into Z shapes. Now your crab can happily scuttle around!

Step 8: Add the eyes

May need grown-up help

Once the glue has dried, insert the eye stalks and twist to secure them, just like you did for the legs.

Googly-Eyed Crab Craft - Easy Ocean Animal Project for Kids Using Recycled Cups

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