If you wish you were on holiday you can pretend you are by the sea with this activity! Follow our step-by-step guide and create a cardboard aquarium with fish that move in the water. It’s simple and the result is very pretty!
You will need
Shoebox
Coloured paper
Scissors
Paint
Paintbrush
Glue
Felt tip pens
Nylon thread
Thumbtack
Steps
Step 1
Gather the necessary materials. A white shoebox works best.
![3D Shoebox Aquarium - DIY Kids Activity - Step 1](https://mapedhelix.co.za/storage/2022/10/3d-shoebox-aquarium-maped-helix-diy-activities-featured-activity-kids-1.webp)
Step 2
Paint the inside of the box turquoise blue or line with blue coloured paper.
![3D Shoebox Aquarium - DIY Kids Activity - Step 2](https://mapedhelix.co.za/storage/2022/10/3d-shoebox-aquarium-maped-helix-diy-activities-featured-activity-kids-2.webp)
Step 3
Cut seaweed and coral of different shapes and colours from the coloured paper.
![3D Shoebox Aquarium - DIY Kids Activity - Step 3](https://mapedhelix.co.za/storage/2022/10/3d-shoebox-aquarium-maped-helix-diy-activities-featured-activity-kids-3-1024x576.webp)
Step 4
Glue the seaweed and coral onto the bottom of the aquarium to create your background.
![3D Shoebox Aquarium - DIY Kids Activity - Step 4](https://mapedhelix.co.za/storage/2022/10/3d-shoebox-aquarium-maped-helix-diy-activities-featured-activity-kids-4-1024x575.webp)
Step 5
Draw outlines of fish on to the coloured paper. You can leave them plain or decorate with felt tip pens.
![3D Shoebox Aquarium - DIY Kids Activity - Step 5](https://mapedhelix.co.za/storage/2022/10/3d-shoebox-aquarium-maped-helix-diy-activities-featured-activity-kids-05-1024x576.webp)
Step 6
Cut out the fish and then make a small hole at the top of each fish using the thumbtack. Thread the nylon thread through the hole to allow you to hang the fish up.
![3D Shoebox Aquarium - DIY Kids Activity - Step 6](https://mapedhelix.co.za/storage/2022/10/3d-shoebox-aquarium-maped-helix-diy-activities-featured-activity-kids-06-1024x576.webp)
Step 7
Using the thumbtack, poke holes in the top of the shoebox. You will need two holes side by side for each fish.
![3D Shoebox Aquarium - DIY Kids Activity - Step 7](https://mapedhelix.co.za/storage/2022/10/maped_creativ_activity_kids_diy_3d_shoebox_aquarium_07-1024x574.webp)
Step 8
Hang the fish from the top of the box, at different heights with the nylon thread.
![3D Shoebox Aquarium - DIY Kids Activity - Step 8](https://mapedhelix.co.za/storage/2022/10/maped_creativ_activity_kids_diy_3d_shoebox_aquarium_08-1024x577.webp)
Step 9
It’s nearly ready!
![3D Shoebox Aquarium - DIY Kids Activity - Step 9](https://mapedhelix.co.za/storage/2022/10/maped_creativ_activity_kids_diy_3d_shoebox_aquarium_09-1024x576.webp)
Step 10
Add pebbles, sand or shells to the bottom of the aquarium and it’s finished!
![3D Shoebox Aquarium - DIY Kids Activity - Step 10](https://mapedhelix.co.za/storage/2022/10/3d-shoebox-aquarium-maped-helix-diy-activities-featured-1-1024x576.webp)