Coral Collage for Kids

Practice creative thinking and fine motor skills with your preschoolers and kindergartners using this bright and colorful Coral Collage for Kids. Your little learners are sure to love this engaging and hands-on process art activity!

coral reef collage images with text: Coral Reef Process Art for Little KidsThis Coral Collage for Kids was definitely one of baby girl’s favorites when we did our ocean preschool theme. Coral reefs are absolutely breathtaking and making coral reef crafts is a great way to learn about these beautiful and of course important ecosystems in an engaging and hands-on way.

glue squeezed onto cardstock to look like coral reef with straw piece and cornstarch noodlesCoral reefs are living structures found underwater and are home to a diverse group of sea creatures. Coral reefs are fragile. Boating and pollution can damage coral reefs. 

child adding cornstarch noodles to coral collage process artWe’ve learned so much about coral reefs this year. If you’re doing an ocean thematic study with your little learners, then definitely take a day or two to explore these “tropical rainforests of the sea.”

straw pieces and cornstarch noodles on blue cardstock to resemble coralThis post may contain affiliate links which means I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you if an item is purchased through one of these links.  For more information, please see my full disclosures.

A huge thanks to Experience Early Learning (formerly Mother Goose Time) for providing us with their Experience Preschool curriculum for free in exchange for sharing our honest and authentic stories resulting from our personal experiences. It’s been such a huge blessing to us! As always, my opinions on awesome stuff for little kids are 100% my own.

child using straws and cornstarch noodles and straw piecesWhat do you think lives in coral reefs? I explained to the little guy and baby girl that thousands of creatures hide in coral reefs. This was the perfect opportunity for us to do some research together. After all, little kids are curious and they ask lots of questions.

child placing cornstarch noodle onto coral collage process artThese questions are a great way to gauge your children’s interest in a topic and adjust your lesson plans accordingly. After all, child-led learning is such a beautiful thing.

child pressing cornstarch noodles onto coral collage process artCoral Collage for Kids

What you’ll need

  • Inspiration Photo
  • Starch Noodles
  • Straw
  • Background Paper
  • Crayons/Markers
  • Glue
  • Water

child making coral collage process art using cornstarch noodlesHere’s how to do it

Set Up

  • Set out the Inspiration Photo and additional supplies.

Prompts

  • What is your favorite part of the photo? Why? How could you create this part in your art?
  • Will you make a collage on paper or create a sculpture?
  • What will be your first step?
  • What else will you add to your collage?

Observe

  • Did the child explore the materials by cutting or squeezing them in different ways?
  • How did he or she communicate his or her preferences?

child making coral collage using cornstarch noodles and straw pieces on blue cardstockThis Coral Reef Collage for Kids was such a great idea for practicing fine motor skills. Each cornstarch noodle that baby girl picked up and put on her collage meant another opportunity to practice her pincer grasp.

closeup of coral collage using straw pieces and cornstarch noodlesNot only that, but it’s also a wonderful creative thinking and problem-solving activity. How can the child use the materials to make a coral reef? What will the straws represent? What about the cornstarch noodles?

child's coral collage process artDon’t forget to check back if you’re interested in seeing what we’re up to next week with our EcoVenture theme from Experience Preschool!

coral reef collage images with text: Coral Reef Process Art for Preschoolers