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The Rainbow Fish Ornament: Perler Bead Craft

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The Rainbow Fish is a simple story about a beautiful fish who learns to make friends by sharing his most prized possessions--his sparkly scales. While Rainbow Fish starts out prideful, he learns a lesson in giving and friendship. It's one of my favorite books for talking about how to be a good friend and sharing. While the Rainbow Fish isn't a Christmas book, we were inspired to make a Rainbow Fish Ornament to remind us to give freely and as a kid-made gift for little friends.

The Rainbow Fish book inspired Kid-made ornament #kidmadeornaments #kidsmadechristmas

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Rainbow Fish Ornament Supplies

The Rainbow FishThe Rainbow FishPerler BeadsPerler BeadsPerler Fun Fusion Pegboards 4/Pkg-Dog/Fish/Cat/TurtlePerler Fun Fusion Pegboards 4/Pkg-Dog/Fish/Cat/TurtleRowenta DW5080 Focus 1700-Watt Micro Steam Iron Stainless Steel SoleplateRowenta DW5080 Focus 1700-Watt Micro Steam Iron Stainless Steel SoleplateMini Hi-Temp Glue GunMini Hi-Temp Glue GunMulti-Temp Mini-Size Glue SticksMulti-Temp Mini-Size Glue SticksBig Bag of Rhinestones, MulticolorBig Bag of Rhinestones, MulticolorCreativity Street Wiggle Eyes Assorted SizesCreativity Street Wiggle Eyes Assorted SizesOrnament HooksOrnament Hooks

How to Make a Rainbow Fish Ornament

Using the fish shaped pegboard, place the perler beads in your desired pattern. We tried to mimic the Rainbow Fish illustrations with the light blue face and the blue, green and purple scales, but the great part about this project is that kids get to fill up the pegboard however they want.
Perler Bead Rainbow Fish inspired ornament
Rainbow Fish Inspired Perler Bead Ornament

Once the pegboard is full of beads, very carefully transfer the pegboard to a towel. Place the ironing paper on top of the beads and iron with a medium iron setting until the beads are melted and fused together. {Please Note: This is a grown-up job! You will see my child's hand on the iron in the photo below, but the iron was not plugged in and was only for the tutorial photo.}
Rainbow Fish Perler Bead Ornament
perler bead ornament inspired by The Rainbow Fish children's book

Allow to cool completely. Then, peel the ironing paper off the top.
perler bead fish ornament

Remove the cooled perler bead shape from the pegboard.
perler bead fish

Hot glue the googly eye and the small rhinestone on the fish. Poke an ornament hook through the top of the ornament (what I did) or you can hot glue a piece of ribbon to the back.
rainbow fish perler bead ornament
rainbow fish inspired perler beads

Hang on the tree or give as a gift to a friend!
Rainbow Fish Ornament made from perler beads
Rainbow Fish Ornament gift for a friend

More Christmas Ideas You'll Like:

Mason Jar Lid Snowman Christmas Ornament
Wood Slice String Art Ornament
Ultimate Guide to Christmas Crafts for Kids
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125 Stocking Stuffers for Kids Under $10 or Less

70+ Kid-Made Ornaments Inspired By Children's Books

A bunch of my blogging friends have gotten together to make kid-book inspired ornaments and I bet your favorite book is in the list!  It’s a 10 day long party of gorgeous kid-made art and Melissa over at Mama Miss is hosting the big party for us.  So go on over and check it out.

10 Days of a Kid-Made Christmas featuring 70+ ornaments inspired by children's books

Here are the rest of today's Kid-Made Ornament bloggers, so stop on by and start pinning:

Stained Glass Gingerbread Man Ornament | The Educators' Spin On It

 Sugar Plum Fairies Ornament | Made with Happy

Legend of the Pointsettia Ornament| Growing Book by Book

Stickman Ornament | One Time Through

Russell's Christmas Magic Ornament | Adventures of Adam

Want to see them all in one place? Check out the 10 Days of Kid-Made Christmas page!

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