These upcycled crafts are not only cute, they're a great teaching tool about ocean health and sustainability.
Suitable for ages: 2 years and up
Time required: 30 mins
Difficulty: 2 out of 5
Related Exhibition: Ghost Nets
A seemingly harmless piece of discarded fishing net, left to drift in the ocean can strangle a sea turtle travelling to its nesting ground. Sharks, fish and other marine life all over the world have also suffered similar fates through entanglement in fishing nets. Those nets are called 'ghost nets' - see how they're turned into beautiful works of art in our exhibition Au Karem Ira Lamar Lu – Ghost Nets of the Ocean.
- Pieces of colourful fishing net
- Pieces of rope cut between approx 20-30cm
- Scissors
- Glue or needles and fishing line
- Pencil/pen
- 'Eyes' - you can use eye-shaped debris like fishing weights, or if you'd prefer, googly eyes will do!
To Make:
Step 1.
Bunch together your 'ghost net' material to make a ball around the size of an orange.
Step 2.
Place another piece of net over the top of the bunch to secure it, tie at the bottom, and sew this into place securely.
Step 3.
Stitch on some ropes to the octopus body for the tentacles.
Step 4.
Add eyes and decorations.
Step 5.
Ensure all parts are well fixed.
That's it - you're all done!
See how to make some other cute ghost net sea creatures
We’d love to see your creations!
Please send us photos either by email to: web@sea.museum or tag us on Instagram - just tag the photo with our username @sea.museum
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