Paper Tube Koi Fish

AGE RANGE:  PROJECT SHOULD BE EASILY ACCOMPLISHED BY AGES 4 AND UP WITH HELP FROM PARENT OR GUARDIAN

APPROXIMATE TIME: 1 - 2 HOURS

Koi fish have a history as long and colorful as they are themselves.
We're taking inspiration from Virginia Kroll’s book “A Carp For Kimiko” and making Koi fish of our own! We will create our own beautiful Koi using simple materials such as paint, paper and glue all while learning more about Japanese culture, and the history of the Koi fish.

EDUCATIONAL OUTCOME

While creating this project children can learn more about the Japanese koi fish.   
This project ties into history, nature, and multiculturalism. In the link above are facts on the koi fish such as their origin, migration and life span which is on average 40-years old! WOW! 

a-carp-fpr-kimiko     Koi Fish

Art Materials Needed
Art Materials Needed
  • Paper tube (toilet paper or paper towel tube) 
  • Paint (2 colors needed)
  • White paint  
  • Paint brushes
  • A small strip of colored paper 
  • Eyes (Can use cork, marbles, paper, googley eyes, etc.) 
  • Black permanent marker 
  • Scissors 
  • White piece of paper 
  • Hot glue gun and glue sticks 
Project Instructions



  1. Start by plugging in the hot glue gun 
  2. Begin by mixing the paint color of your choice, with white paint in order to create a lighter color. Paint the lighter color on the tube. Set the tube aside to dry.  
  3. With the plain color, paint a back fin and two side fins onto the white piece of paper. Set that aside to dry.  
  4. Time for the eyes! Grab whatever material you are using for eyes and draw two black circles onto them. 
  5. Begin painting scales or dots onto the paper tube with the second color of choice. When this is done, set the tube aside to dry again.  
  6. Grab the piece of paper with fins painted onto it and begin to cut them out. When the big fin is cut out, cut little strips down the back edge of the tail.  
  7. Next, grab the strip of paper and cut it to the size around the “Mouth” of the tube. Hot glue the paper around the edge of the opening of the tube.  
  8. Glue on the back tail and squeeze the tube shut. Hold it for a few seconds and when it is completely dry, cut the edges of the tube so they align with the tail.  
  9. Glue both the side fins onto the side of the fish, making sure to leave room for the eyes.  
  10. Glue the eyes onto the fish and you are done!