Who needs a boring old pet when you can craft your own colorful, eight-legged friend?
Seriously, octopuses are the coolest creatures in the ocean, and they bring so much fun to any craft session.
If you’re ready to ditch the dull and inject some serious personality into your DIY projects, you’ve landed on the right coral reef!
I’ve scoured the depths of the crafting world to bring you 16 Octopus Craft Ideas that are so engaging.
From simple weekend projects for the kids to seriously cool decor that’ll make your friends jealous, there’s a tentacley treasure here for everyone.
Get your supplies ready because it’s time to unleash the kraken.
1. Cereal Suckers Delight
Seriously, how cute is this little guy?
This craft takes your average art project and splashes it with so much personality!
We’re talking vibrant colors and those adorable cereal “suckers” that add the perfect playful touch.
It’s a fantastic way to get creative with materials you already have, making it a super simple and incredibly fun activity for a rainy afternoon.
Your kiddos (and let’s be honest, you too!) will absolutely love bringing this cheerful octopus to life!
2. Paper Plate Tangles
This craft is a texture dream!
Using a simple paper plate and colorful yarn, you can create a super cool, 3D octopus with long, dangling tentacles.
It’s a great way to practice simple weaving skills for the kids, but the result is totally impressive.
Pick bright, contrasting yarn colors for a really vibrant look that’s guaranteed to make this piece of wall art pop!
3. Painted Garden Buddy
Get ready to make a super solid friend!
Turning a simple rock into this adorable, smiling octopus is such a rewarding craft.
It’s a wonderful way to add a playful touch to your flowerpots or garden beds.
The texture of those coiled tentacles is so charming, and that tiny flower on top is just perfection!
Grab some acrylic paint and a smooth stone, and you’ll have a permanent, cheerful visitor for your outdoor space in no time.
4. Curly Paper Friend
You won’t believe how easy it is to create this super cute 3D octopus using just construction paper and scissors!
The curled tentacles are the star of the show…
They give it such a playful, bouncy look that kids find irresistible.
This is an awesome craft for developing fine motor skills, and it costs next to nothing to make.
Give it sweet little blush cheeks like this one, and you’ve got an adorable decoration!
5. Bag Body Art
Talk about upcycling!
This awesome octopus uses simple paper bags to create a totally cool, textured body and eight long, floppy tentacles.
The fun part is decking it out with those colorful confetti dots.
They look like the octopus’s suckers and add a fantastic pop of color.
It’s a fabulous way to create a large, engaging decoration without spending a fortune.
Hang this beauty up and watch it sway in the breeze!
6. Velvet Plush Friend
If you’re ready to tackle a project that results in a beautiful, cuddly keepsake, look no further!
This crocheted velvet octopus is absolutely stunning and just begs to be hugged.
The yarn gives it such a luxurious, soft texture that feels amazing.
Imagine this gorgeous, big octopus draped over a shelf or snuggled up in a reading nook.
It takes a little more skill, but the result is a massive, huggable friend worth every single stitch.
7. Beaded Tentacles Buddy
How clever is this idea?
Using colorful beads and chenille stems (pipe cleaners) lets you make an octopus with poseable, shimmering tentacles!
The mix of shapes and sizes creates such a cool, dimensional look.
You can use any small object for the body, like the beautiful glass piece here…then thread those beads to make eight awesome, wiggly arms.
It’s a fantastic sensory activity that results in a gorgeous decoration or a fun toy!
8. Deep Sea Block
This amazing craft involves carving your own linoleum block to create a stunning, intricate octopus design.
It’s totally rewarding to see your detailed work come to life, especially with those beautiful, swirling tentacles.
Once carved, you can use your new block to print beautiful, professional-looking designs on cards, t-shirts, or art paper.
Time to grab your carving tool and make some serious art!
9. Roll Tube Friends
Gather up those empty toilet paper tubes because this craft is pure genius!
It’s such an awesome, budget-friendly activity that kids can easily tackle.
Just paint the roll, punch a few holes, and thread some bright yarn through for those cool, dangly tentacles.
Each little octopus gets its own silly personality with different eyes and expressions.
You can make an entire vibrant octopus family in one afternoon!
10. Glitter Handprints
This is a precious craft that gives you a cute octopus and a keepsake all in one!
You simply trace a body shape and then use your little one’s hands for the eight glittery, shimmering tentacles.
It’s a fantastic, low-mess (mostly!) paper craft that lets the kids personalize their creations with markers and silly
11. Suction Cup Crochet
How incredible is the detail on this!
If you’ve got some serious crochet skills, this is your next project.
This magnificent plush doesn’t just have eight legs…
It features beautiful, contrasting-color suckers stitched right into the tentacles.
The final result is a massive, luxurious cuddle buddy that looks like it swam straight out of a designer store.
This is a challenging project, but the epic bragging rights are totally worth it!
12. Ocean Diorama Wall
Turn a basic craft into a complete, underwater adventure!
This amazing idea starts with a simple paper plate octopus body, but it truly shines by adding textured, painted tentacles and creating a whole scene below.
Using things like rocks, shells, and toy sea creatures makes this octopus look like it’s happily swimming on the ocean floor.
It’s a wonderful project for storytelling and building a vibrant, 3D world!
13. Pastel Variegated Plush
If you love the plush feel of crochet but want a softer look, this is it!
Using variegated yarn with beautiful pastels gives this octopus a dreamy, one-of-a-kind appearance.
Each tentacle flows with subtle color changes, making it look incredibly realistic yet totally whimsical.
This is the ultimate handmade gift for a nursery or for anyone who loves an extra soft, slightly floppy, and absolutely stunning cuddly creature.
14. Bean Mosaic Master
Who knew your kitchen cupboard held such artistic potential?
This amazing project uses different types of beans and grains to create a stunning, textured octopus mosaic.
The natural colors and shapes of the beans build beautiful depth and detail, making it look incredibly sophisticated.
This is a brilliant way to explore natural textures and create a striking piece of artwork that’s truly one-of-a-kind.
15. Perler Bead Pixel
Remember the fun of melting those little beads?
This project takes simple Perler beads and creates a super vibrant, pixelated octopus design!
It’s an awesome craft for developing patience and pattern recognition.
Using a rainbow color scheme gives these little guys such a cheerful, retro look.
Once fused, you can turn these into cool keychains, magnets, or even unique zipper pulls for backpacks!
16. Amigurumi Keychains
Ready to make a whole little squad of cuties?
These tiny, crocheted amigurumi octopuses are absolutely adorable and make the perfect quick-win project for yarn lovers.
Their little coiled tentacles and blushy cheeks are just irresistible!
Attach a keyring, and you have a totally unique handmade accessory for your backpack or keys.
They are small enough to whip up in an evening, so you can easily make one in every color!