If you're looking for a fun afternoon project, these swimmy crafts are the perfect way to bring Leo Lionni's classic book to life through art. There's something so timeless about that little black fish and his school of red friends, and honestly, the art style in the book is just begging to be recreated by little hands. It's not just about the story; it's about that beautiful, watery texture and the idea that we're all stronger together.
Whether you're a teacher planning a classroom activity or a parent just trying to survive a rainy Tuesday, these ideas are simple enough that they won't leave you with a massive headache. You don't need a degree in fine arts to make these look good—in fact, the imperfections are what make them so charming.
Why We Love These Projects
The best thing about making swimmy crafts is that they really lean into the "process art" philosophy. If you haven't heard that term before, it basically just means that the doing is more important than the final product. Kids love it because they get to get their hands messy, and parents love it because it keeps the kids occupied for more than five minutes.
Lionni used a lot of stamping and watercolor techniques in his illustrations, which is great for kids because it's very forgiving. You don't have to draw a perfect fish. You just have to make a "fishy" shape and you're halfway there. Plus, the message of the book—teamwork and bravery—is a nice little lesson to sneak in while you're covered in red paint.
The Classic Potato Stamp Method
Let's start with the absolute classic. If you have a potato sitting in your pantry that's starting to grow eyes, don't throw it out. It's about to become a stamp. This is probably the most traditional way to handle swimmy crafts because it mimics the repetitive patterns in the book.
First, you'll want to cut the potato in half. Then, an adult should carve out a simple fish shape. It doesn't need to be fancy—just a little oval with a triangle tail. Once you have your stamp, dry the surface of the potato with a paper towel so the paint sticks better.
Get a big sheet of paper—the bigger the better—and let your kids go to town with red tempera paint. They can stamp dozens of little red fish all over the page. Then, of course, you need the star of the show. Grab a smaller potato or even a carrot end to make one single, solitary black fish. It's a great way to talk about the story while you work. "Where should Swimmy go? Right in the front to be the eye!"
Using Celery for Fish Scales
I've seen this floating around on Pinterest, and it's actually genius. If you cut a stalk of celery, the end of it looks exactly like a fish scale. If you're doing a larger version of swimmy crafts where you're making the "Giant Fish" (the one made of many small fish), this technique is a lifesaver.
Instead of stamping individual fish, you can use the celery to create the texture of the big fish's body. It gives it that layered, shimmering look that's really hard to get with a regular paintbrush. It's also just a fun sensory experience. Kids love using food as art tools; it feels like they're breaking a rule, which usually means they're twice as engaged.
Bleeding Tissue Paper Backgrounds
One of the coolest parts of the book is the background. The ocean isn't just blue; it's full of pinks, greens, and weird "medusa" creatures that look like rainbows. To get that look, I highly recommend using bleeding tissue paper.
Now, make sure you get the "bleeding" kind, because the regular gift-wrap stuff won't work for this. You just lay strips of the paper down on a wet sheet of heavy cardstock and spray it with a bit more water. The colors bleed together in this gorgeous, hazy way that looks exactly like an underwater scene.
Once it dries, you can peel the tissue paper off and you're left with a watercolor masterpiece. This is the perfect backdrop for your stamped fish. It adds so much depth to your swimmy crafts without you having to actually "paint" anything complex.
The Collaborative Mural Idea
If you have more than one kid or you're working with a group, you have to try the giant mural. This is where the heart of the story really shines. In the book, Swimmy tells the little red fish that they can't just hide; they have to work together to look like one giant fish to scare away the tuna.
You can recreate this by cutting out a massive fish shape from a roll of butcher paper. Then, have every child decorate a few small red fish (using paper cutouts, stamps, or even thumbprints). Once everyone is done, you glue all the little fish onto the big fish shape.
It's a really cool visual representation of the "many as one" concept. Plus, it looks awesome hanging on a wall or a hallway. I've seen some schools do this where every kid in the grade makes one fish, and the final result is honestly pretty stunning.
Don't Forget the "Marvelous" Creatures
While the fish are the main event, let's not forget the other things Swimmy sees on his journey. He sees "medusas" (jellyfish) made of "rainbow lace" and a lobster that "moves like a water-moving machine."
For the jellyfish, you can use cupcake liners or coffee filters. If you use coffee filters, you can use the same watercolor/marker bleed technique to make them look iridescent. Attach some ribbons or yarn to the bottom, and you've got a 3D element for your swimmy crafts.
For the "sugar-candy" rocks, you can actually use real rocks! Just grab some from the backyard, wash them off, and paint them in bright, candy-like colors. Glue them to the bottom of your paper or set them up in a little display area. It makes the whole project feel a lot more interactive and textured.
A Few Tips for a Stress-Free Craft Session
I know, I know—painting with kids can sometimes feel like you're inviting a hurricane into your kitchen. But with a little prep, it's not that bad.
- Cover the table: Use an old plastic tablecloth or even a trash bag. It makes cleanup so much faster.
- The "One Color" Rule: If you're worried about the red paint and black paint mixing into a muddy brown mess, start with the red first. Let it dry a bit before you let them loose with the black paint for Swimmy.
- Wet Wipes are Your Friend: Keep a pack on the table. It saves you from having to run to the sink every two minutes when someone gets paint on their elbow.
Anyway, the whole point of swimmy crafts is to explore and have a bit of fun. Don't worry if the fish don't look like fish, or if the ocean looks more like a purple puddle. The "Swimmy" world is all about imagination and seeing things differently.
If you get stuck, just open the book again. Look at the way the colors blend and the weird shapes Lionni used. It's meant to be abstract and dreamy. So, grab some potatoes, find some red paint, and let the kids lead the way. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy it, too!