Make Playful Octopus Crafts with Foam and Fruit Netting

Making Foam Octopuses with Fruit Netting

Octopuses are a fun and creative craft to make with kids using common household materials. One popular method is to sculpt octopus bodies and appendages out of foam and secure them together using colorful fruit netting, also sometimes called foamy net.

Gathering Materials for Foam Octopus Crafts

To make foam octopuses, you'll need foam, fruit netting, scissors, glue, paint and embellishments. Foam sheets in a variety of colors can be found at arts and craft stores. Alternatively, foam pieces from packaging materials can be upcycled. The foam should be about 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch thick. You'll also need stretchy netting, usually sold near storage bags or fruit packaging in stores. The netting helps bundle the foam appendages together. Additionally, have scissors, hot glue and acrylic craft paint on hand for customizing the octopus sculpture.

Sculpting the Foam Octopus Body

Start by sculpting an octopus head and body out of foam. An oval shape about 2-3 inches long makes a good base. Cut triangular shapes in various sizes to form the legs and arms, making some parts wider for interest. Eight legs and arms is the goal, so cut enough foam pieces to allow for breaks.

Try rounding and notching foam with scissors to achieve more realistic octopus appendages shapes. Twisting foam lengthwise works nicely when perfecting tentacle shapes.

Attaching the Foamy Net to the Foam Pieces

Next, use hot glue to attach a section of fruit netting to the back of the foam body piece. Stretch out the net across your work surface. Start gluing the tentacle ends onto spots along the net, keeping them far enough apart for movement. The foam arms and legs should adhere well to the netting when squeezed tightly together with hot glue.

Double-check each glued area for secure bonds before letting go of pieces. Allow to fully dry before carefully lifting the octopus sculpture up by the back netting. Make final adjustments by twisting foam or gluing small extra foam pieces to fill gaps or lengthen certain appendages on your foam octopus.

Adding Paint and Decorative Embellishments

Paint the sculpted foam octopus using acrylic crafts paints in colors of your choosing. Add accents like glitter glues for special effects on your octopus arms. Affix wiggly eyes or draw your own for a playful finishing touch! Display your completed foam and fruit net octopus proudly or present as a gift to family and friends.

Tips for Crafting Foam Octopuses

Follow these handy tips for making your foam and net octopus creations turn out their very best:

Consider Weight and Size

Keep your octopus lightweight by using thin, flexible foam sheets. Craft store foam sheets under 1⁄4 inch may work better than repurposed packaging foams. Scope out an appropriately sized fruit net bag ahead of time so your octopus arms can stretch freely without excessive net bulk.

Work Slowly on Attaching Net

Allow ample drying time when gluing foam pieces onto stretchy netting. Rushed assembly can lead to weakened glue points that loosen over time. Gentle handling of the drying octopus project also prevents premature breaks.

Display with Care

Present sculptures resting on surfaces rather than hanging to reduce gravitational stress. Foam octopus legs dangling on walls risk gradually detaching from fruit netting under their own slight weight. Set foam octopuses on level bookshelves or tabletops so friends can appreciate them from all angles!

Sculpt a playful underwater creature to decorate living spaces or gift to special people. Follow this foam and fruit netting octopus guide using basic crafting techniques and watch your creation take shape. Customize colors and embellishments for endless unique outcomes! Show off your handmade foam octopuses for enjoyment that spreads creativity and joy.

FAQs

What type of foam works best for sculpting octopus bodies?

Flexible craft foam sheets approximately 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch thick are ideal. Foam can be found in a variety of colors at arts and crafts stores. Repurposed foam from packaging materials can also be used if it's pliable enough.

Should I glue the tentacles directly to each other or use netting?

Fruit netting or stretchy plastic netting helps secure the foam appendages together while still allowing for movement. Gluing tentacles directly together makes them rigid and prone to breaking.

What's the best way to display my completed foam octopus?

Set foam octopus sculptures on level surfaces rather than hanging them. Hanging puts gravitational stress on the netting and attachments. Bookcases, shelves and tabletops all make great display spots.

How can I customize my foam octopus?

Get creative with paint, glitter glues, wiggly eyes and other embellishments! Sculpt texture and interest by cutting notch shapes into the foam. Twist or curl the appendages before attaching them to the net for realistic shapes.