Sharknado paper plate mobile

Did you enjoy shark week as much as we did?  Sad it’s over?  Well, we have one more shark-y tutorial for you!  Jeanette from Paper Plate Shark Jaws and Off the Cuff Cooking joins us again today for a fun, Sharknado-inspired mobile.  Whip out your favorite pair of scissors and read on to find out how to make your own!

Sharknado paper plate mobile supplies

Project estimate:

  • Paper plates, on hand or $1
  • Chopsticks or skewers, on hand or $1
  • Paper clips or string, on hand or $1
  • Shark printables, free (see below)
  • Tape, on hand
  • Glue, on hand

Total:  Free and up!

glue together paper plates

Start by gluing three paper plates on top of each other, covering adequately so they adhere to each other completely.

cut out sharks

While they are drying, you can begin cutting out all the sharks from the print-outs.  Leaving a little white space around each shark makes them easier to cut out, and at the very least leave a little white area near the top middle of each shark where you will punch through a small hole for a paper clip or thread to be strung.

cut plates

paper plate spiral

When the paper plates have completely dried, make a one-inch cut perpendicular to the edge of the plate toward the center, and from that end-point, start cutting a spiral into the middle of the plate.  Each pass around the plate should be leaving a coiled strip that is about 1/2″ wide.

add chopsticks

After you are done with the cutting, tape or glue the initial opening cut back together.  Next, tape or hot glue one bamboo chopstick across the middle top of the plate, and then repeat with the other chopstick, but do it from the underside of the top circle, so they make a cross.  You will use this to hang it from a string or hook later on.

hang sharks with paper clips

Now, punch a hole in each shark-cut out near the top with a thumbtack, and then bend your paper clips into S-shapes.  Attach one paper clip to each shark.  Also punch 12 evenly spaced holes around the spiral-loop that you cut out from the paper plate.  Lastly, hook a shark onto each hole around the loop, and attach a string at the crossed bamboo sticks to hang it!

Naturally, there must be a disclaimer that this is only for decoration, and has small paper clips which are choking hazards for small children.  Take care not to hang it near youngsters.  (Or use embroidery floss or string instead of paper clips if you intend to hang this in a kids room.)

Click on the shark image below to enlarge, then right-click to save it to your computer for printing.

sharknado mobile printable sharks

More shark crafts:
Follow Mrs. Greene’s board Shark Week! on Pinterest.