Egg Carton Crab
This Egg Carton Crab is a cheerful recycled ocean craft kids can make with simple supplies. With a few egg carton cups, red paint, pipe cleaners, and wiggle eyes, children can create a cute little crab that is perfect for summer crafts, ocean lessons, beach themes, or classroom activities.
Pair this crab craft with a favorite sea life book, or add it to an ocean diorama with fish, shells, sand, and with an egg carton lobster for a whole crustacean collection.
Supplies
- Empty egg carton
- Red paint
- Paintbrush
- Red pipe cleaners
- Wiggle eyes
- Scissors
- Hole punch
- Glue
Instructions
- Cut three sections from an empty egg carton. One section will be the crab’s body.
- Trim the other two egg carton sections so they are about 1/2 inch high. Cut a small “V” shape from each one to make the crab claws.
- Punch four holes on each side of the crab body.
- Paint the crab body and both claws red. Let the paint dry completely.
- Cut four red pipe cleaners in half.
- Push one pipe cleaner piece through each punched hole in the crab body.
- Bend the pipe cleaners to form the crab’s legs.
- Punch one hole in each claw and attach the claws to the two front pipe cleaners.
- Glue wiggle eyes onto the top of the crab body.
- Let everything dry, then display your egg carton crab with other ocean crafts for kids.
Suggested Reading
A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle
Clumsy Crab by Ruth Galloway
Is This a House for Hermit Crab? by Megan McDonald and S. D. Schindler
Fun Facts About Crabs
Crabs have ten legs, including their claws.
Most crabs walk sideways because their legs bend outward from the sides of their bodies.
Crabs can live in oceans, freshwater, and even on land, depending on the species.
A crab’s hard outer shell is called an exoskeleton. As the crab grows, it must shed this shell and grow a new one.
Patterns, Templates and Printables
No printable template is needed for this craft. Just recycle an empty egg carton and turn it into a cute crab craft for kids.
Teacher Friendly Educational Extension
Use this Egg Carton Crab craft as part of an ocean animal lesson or recycling activity. Talk with children about how crabs move, where they live, and how their claws help them find food and protect themselves.
For a classroom activity, invite students to create a simple ocean habitat on blue construction paper. They can add sand, seaweed, shells, fish, and their finished crab. Older children can write one crab fact or a short story about their crab’s day at the beach.
This is also a fun way to discuss recycled crafts and how everyday materials can be reused for easy crafts for kids.
Supplies
Empty Egg Carton
Red Paint and Brush
Red Pipe Cleaners
Wiggle Eyes
Scissors
Hole Punch
Glue
Instructions
Cut three sections out of the egg carton. One section will be the crab's body.
Cut down two other sections to 1/2" high and cut a "V" shape out of each one to make the claws.
Punch four holes in both sides of the body.
Paint all three pieces red. Let dry.
Cut four red pipe cleaners in half. Push one piece in each punched hole. Bend to form legs and claws using photo as a guide.
Punch a hole in each claw and add to the front pipe cleaners.
Glue on wiggle eyes.
Contributor
These projects are created by Terri, Betty, Jamie or one of the talented staff members at MakingFriends.com. They have been created exclusively for publication on FreeKidsCrafts.com with supplies you'll be able to find around your house.
The preschool & school age daycare children have fun making the egg carton crabs. The egg can crab craft will go perfect with the “Five Little Crabs” song available at https://www.ocps.net.