This pipe cleaner jellyfish is such a cool craft, especially once the fairy lights are switched on! With soft, curly tentacles, flowing ribbon, and a glowing center, the jellyfish look like magical sea creatures floating through the dark. They’re easy enough for kids to make, but the finished design also has a dreamy, decorative look that teens and adults will love.
Use different shades of blue, purple, pink, or even neon colours to create your own glowing jellyfish. Hang it in a bedroom, craft room, reading nook, or party space for an easy DIY decoration that looks beautiful both during the day and at night!
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How to Make Pipe Cleaner Jellyfish
See the craft in action:
Instructions:
Step 1: Find what you need
- Gather your supplies and materials.
Step 2: Make the jellyfish body
- Gather at least 35 pipe cleaners to make the jellyfish body.
- You’ll be wrapping the pipe cleaners around a domed plastic drink lid to make the jellyfish body.
- Begin by inserting one pipe cleaner through the top of the lid. Hold it most of the way down into the lid.
- Wrap the pipe cleaner around the outside of the lid and back up through the center.
- Bring the pipe cleaner back down and finish it inside the lid. Pinch the wraps at the bottom of the lid so they stay in place and push the pipe cleaner together.
- Repeat around until the lid is covered.As you work you’ll need to push the pipe cleaners together tight, especially at the top opening.
- Cut a pipe cleaner in half so you have a piece 6 inches long.
- Wrap the pipe cleaner around itself so it forms a flat spiral.(HINT: Read down to step 5 and think about adding the fishing line hanger to the jellyfish now, before the tentacles get in the way.)
- Add hot glue around the outside of the circle and attach the spiral to top center of the lid, to cover the hole.
Step 3: Add the tentacles
- To make the first jellyfish tentacle wrap a pipe cleaner around a pencil or pen.
- Slide the pipe cleaner off the pencil and stretch it out to lengthen the tentacle.
- Make other tentacles of different widths, wrapping the pipe cleaner around a marker, or a thicker paintbrush handle. Again, stretch it out.
- Attach the tentacles by twisting one end around a pipe cleaner on the inside of the cup.
- Repeat, adding 6 tentacles total.
Step 4: Make the jellyfish glow
- To make a glowing jellyfish you’ll need battery operated fairy lights.
- Twist the fairy lights around themselves, creating 4 or 5 sections that can be attached to the tentacles.
- Wrap the fairy lights around the tentacles.
- Then glue the battery pack to the inside of the jellyfish body.
Step 5: Add the finishing touches
- Cut a 16 inch piece of white organza ribbon.
- Tie the ribbon around one of the inside pipe cleaners, or the string of fairy lights.
- Cut a 10 to 12 inch length of fishing line.
- Loop the fishing line through the top spiral pipe cleaner and tie it into a looped hanger.(NOTE: While this is possible now, it’ll be easier to center the hanger if you do this earlier in the process, perhaps even before you attach the coil to the lid.)
- Your pipe cleaner jellyfish is complete!
- Now turn on the fairy lights and enjoy your glowing jellyfish lamp!
Helpful Tips:
- Add the hanger first: Attach the fishing line before adding the tentacles so it’s easier to reach the top of the jellyfish. You can even slide the hanger through the lid opening before gluing the pipe cleaner circle in place.
- Choose your favourite colours: Make a jellyfish in a bold shade of blue, or use soft pink, purple, turquoise, or an ocean-inspired seafoam green for a more whimsical look.
Where can I find a domed plastic lid to make my pipe cleaner jellyfish?
If you’re working in a classroom or making several jellyfish of your own you can buy domed drink lids online or at restaurant supply stores. For a single craft, reuse the lid from a slushie, Frappuccino, or other cold drink with a domed top. Wash and dry it thoroughly before crafting.
What ribbon do I need to make this jellyfish pipe cleaner craft?
We used 1-1/2-inch-wide organza ribbon for the flowing tentacles. White ribbon gives the jellyfish a light, translucent look, but you can also choose a colour that matches or complements the pipe cleaners.
Regular organza or chiffon ribbon works well, or you can use sheer wired ribbon. The wire allows you to bend and shape the ribbon tentacles so they look like they’re drifting through the water.
How many pipe cleaners do I need to make this jellyfish craft?
It takes a surprising number of pipe cleaners to cover the domed lid! Plan on using approximately 30 to 35 pipe cleaners for the body, depending on the size of your lid and how tightly you arrange them at the top.
You’ll also need half a pipe cleaner to cover the opening at the top and approximately six more for the curly tentacles. Altogether, expect to use between 37 to 42 pipe cleaners. Having around 45 pipe cleaners on hand gives you a few extras in case one is cut too short or bent incorrectly.
These pipe cleaner jellyfish look especially magical once the lights are turned down and the fairy lights begin to glow. The mix of curly pipe cleaners and flowing ribbon gives each one plenty of movement, making it seem like it’s drifting through the ocean.
Hang your finished jellyfish near a window, from the ceiling, or in a cozy corner that could use a little extra sparkle. Make one in your favourite colour or create a whole glowing group for a dreamy underwater display.
Here’s even more jellyfish craft ideas:
Now available
Low-Mess Crafts for Kids Book
72 cute and fun crafts that kids and parents alike can enjoy. All with as little mess as possible!
Where to buy:
You can purchase Low-Mess Crafts for Kids from Amazon, or wherever books are sold:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Amazon Canada
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