Swordfish Printable Sea Craft

My youngest daughter has been begging to take a trip to the ocean. Unfortunately, the ocean isn’t exactly a short drive from here! So while I plan a trip to drive her to the ocean, we’ve been cooking up some fun ocean craft projects. The first of which, and one of our favorites, is this Swordfish Printable Sea Craft!

Swordfish Printable Sea Craft

Ah, the swordfish—a majestic denizen of the ocean depths, known for its impressive size and iconic elongated bill. As we delve into the realm of this magnificent creature, let me regale you with some lesser-known, yet delightful, facts about the swordfish that are sure to leave you in awe.

Did you know that the swordfish is not actually a swordfish at all? Yes, that’s right! Despite its name, this fascinating creature is not a member of the swordfish family, but rather belongs to a group of fishes called billfishes. Its misleading moniker can be attributed to its remarkable bill, which can be longer than its own body length. Imagine wielding a sword that exceeds your height—truly an astonishing feat!

Now, let’s dive into the realm of speed. The swordfish is an aquatic speed demon, capable of reaching remarkable velocities in its pursuit of prey. It can zip through the water at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour). That’s faster than most cars zooming along the highway! With its streamlined body and powerful muscles, the swordfish is the epitome of aquatic agility.

But wait, there’s more! Did you know that the swordfish possesses a unique adaptation that sets it apart from most other fishes? Unlike the majority of its underwater counterparts, the swordfish has the ability to warm up its brain and eyes. Yes, you heard that right—this remarkable creature possesses special structures called “heater organs” located in its large eyes and brain. These organs generate heat, elevating the temperature of these crucial organs, allowing the swordfish to navigate through cooler waters with ease.

Now, let’s talk about the sword itself—the iconic bill that gives the swordfish its name. This impressive appendage is not just for show. The swordfish employs its bill in a variety of ways. It uses it to slash through schools of small fish, stunning or impaling them in the process. This mighty weapon can even be employed as a means of self-defense, allowing the swordfish to fend off potential predators with its formidable “sword.”

Lastly, let’s explore the remarkable migratory patterns of the swordfish. These intrepid travelers undertake epic journeys across vast stretches of the ocean. Some populations of swordfish embark on migrations that span thousands of miles, traversing entire ocean basins. They follow the currents, seeking out optimal feeding grounds and breeding areas. It’s a testament to their resilience and adaptability in the ever-changing marine environment.

The swordfish is truly a creature that captivates the imagination. From its deceptive name to its blazing speed, unique adaptations, and astonishing migratory feats, this aquatic marvel continues to enchant and astound. So, the next time you catch a glimpse of a swordfish—be it in the wild or as a craft project—remember these fascinating tidbits and let the wonders of this magnificent creature wash over you.

FREE PRINTABLE SWORDFISH CRAFT

This swordfish craft is super easy to recreate with the free printable and a few supplies you probably already have on hand. To get started, gather up the following supplies for the swordfish.

Supplies:
Paper
Glue
Scissors

And to recreate the watercolor background, you’re going to want to gather up these supplies as well:
Watercolor Paper
Watercolor Paint
Paint Brush
Salt

Of course, you’ll also need to download and print out the template of this swordfish, which can be found at the bottom of this post. Print each template piece out, using your desired colors, and then carefully cut out each piece.

After you have each piece of your swordfish cut out, use a glue stick or white school glue to glue all of the pieces together as shown in the photo below.

Add extra details using a sharpie or black marker.

And if you want, you can cut up and add small pieces of white paper around the edges of your swordfish to create a “shine” and give it more life.

And that’s it! Your swordfish is now done! Leave it as is or glue it to your choice of cardstock. Of course, if you want to recreate the watercolor background, keep reading. Otherwise, enjoy your new swordfish friend!

Watercolor Background:

To create the watercolor background, you’re going to first want to prepare a surface with newspaper or a vinyl tablecloth. This will protect your surface and simplify cleanup.

Next, set up and prepare the watercolor paints you’d like to use. We stuck with shades of blue, but you can mix in yellow, green or any other colors you’d like.

After you’ve got your paint all ready to go, use your paint brush to coat your paper in water until is damped but not soaked.

Add watercolor paint to your paper, covering the paper. Mix in various shades of blue or other colors until you’re happy with how it looks.

Before the paint is dry, sprinkle a few pinches of salt over the wet paint. If you wait too long and the paint isn’t wet enough, the salt will not stick to your paper. The salt will cause the paint to separate and create and explosive looking effect.

Finally, allow your paper to dry before gluing on your swordfish. It will probably take a while to dry as the paper should be pretty wet.

If you want, you can use leftover paper and the additional printable templates below to add starfish and bubbles to your artwork as well!