DIY Mermaid Hanging Mobile Made from Cardboard Egg Cartons – Plus Free Printable!
If you’re looking for a whimsical and eco-friendly craft to brighten up a kids’ room or add some summer sparkle to your classroom, this DIY mermaid hanging mobile made from cardboard egg cartons is a creative and budget-friendly project. With a few simple materials—many of which you likely already have at home—you can transform humble recyclables into a shimmering under-the-sea masterpiece.
Why You’ll Love This DIY Mermaid Mobile
- Eco-conscious: Reuses cardboard egg cartons and cereal boxes
- Kid-friendly: A great weekend activity for creative minds
- Budget-friendly: No need to buy fancy supplies
- Customizable: Choose any color palette or mermaid tail design you like
Supplies You’ll Need
- 1–2 cardboard egg cartons (not plastic or styrofoam)
- Empty cereal box
- Scissors or craft knife
- Acrylic paint or watercolor paint
- Paintbrushes and a cup of water
- String, yarn, or fishing line
- Hole punch or a large needle
- Hot glue gun or craft glue
- Sequins, glitter, metallic markers, or gems for decorating (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Cut the Egg Cartons into Shapes
Cut apart your egg cartons so you’re left with the individual cup portions. These will form the mermaid tails, fish, seashells, and underwater plants. Use scissors to trim the cups into tail fins (think heart shapes or leaf-like designs), fish bodies, and seaweed strips.
Tip: Sketch a few tail or fin shapes on paper first to guide your cutting!
Make Mermaid Body and Tail Fin
Use the printable stencils to make the mermaid’s body and tail fin. These were hand-drawn by my husband! Cut up a cereal box and trace the outline onto the soft card stock, and then cut out. We cut out two versions of each stencil and made one the front, the second for the back. Paint and decorate them however you like. We glued them together with the yarn in the middle.
Paint Your Pieces
Now for the fun part—paint everything! Use pastel shades, ocean blues, seafoam greens, corals, and metallic accents to give that magical mermaid vibe. Let the kids go wild with color blending, or add glitter for an extra shimmer. Let the pieces dry overnight to avoid the paint and glitter smudging.
Optional: Add highlights with metallic markers or outline fins with glitter glue for extra sparkle.
Shape and Layer
To give your mobile some 3D texture, layer small pieces of cut egg carton to build dimension—like scales, tail fins, or shells. Once the pieces are completely dry, use a hole punch or a thick needle to make small holes at the tops of each shape. Tie a piece of string or fishing line through each hole.
Assemble the Mobile
Tie the strings at even lengths between each mermaid tail scale, giving the effect of movement. Tie the main mermaid body piece to the top scale, and the tail fin bottom to the last scale. See our photos for a visual guide.
Hang and Admire
Tie a loop knot at the top string. Attach to a ceiling hook, branch, or wall-mounted hook and let your mermaid mobile float gracefully in the breeze.
Mermaid-Inspired Design Ideas
- Mermaid Tails: Use scalloped edges and layered fins to create a dynamic look.
- Ombre Colored Mermaid Tails: Find a gradient color theme to add some pizzaz.
- Fish Shapes: Add tiny fins and draw eyes with paint or a marker.
- Seaweed: Twist and fringe long strips for flowing sea plants.
- Seashells: Paint with pearly hues or add rhinestones for a treasure-from-the-sea feel.
This Craft is Perfect For:
- Mermaid or ocean-themed birthday parties
- Summer craft days with kids
- Eco-friendly Earth Day activity
- Mermaid-themed bedrooms
- School or classroom ocean units
Bonus: Teaching About Sustainability
This project is a great opportunity to talk with kids about recycling and upcycling. It shows how everyday materials that might end up in the trash can become something magical and meaningful with a bit of creativity and care.
Final Thoughts
Crafting this DIY mermaid hanging mobile from egg cartons is more than just an afternoon art project—it’s a way to reuse, reimagine, and create something that adds whimsy and color to your home. Whether you hang it above a crib or in a sunny window, your homemade ocean mobile will capture the imagination and remind everyone that beauty can come from the most unexpected places.
See Additional Examples From Other Craft Bloggers:
