Koinobori (Carp Kite) Craft Instructions

• A4 or A3 paper (white or coloured)

• Crayons, markers, or paint

• Scissors

• Glue or stapler

• Googly eyes (or paper circles)

• Streamers or strips of crepe paper/ribbon (for the tail)

• Hole punch (optional)

• String for hanging

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Steps:

1. Decorate Your Fish Body

   • Place the paper landscape (long side at the top).

   • Decorate with colourful fish scales, patterns, and designs.

   • Encourage kids to use bold colours — traditional koinobori are very bright!

2. Add an Eye

   • Glue on a googly eye (or draw one with a marker) on the left-hand side of the paper (this will be the fish's face).

3. Roll and Secure

   • Roll the paper into a tube, overlapping the short sides.

   • Glue, tape, or staple the edge to make a cylinder — this is the fish’s body.

4. Create the Tail

   • Cut 4–6 streamers or strips of crepe paper (20–30cm long).

   • Glue or tape them inside one end of the tube (opposite the eye).

5. Add a Hanging String

   • Punch two holes on the top (mouth end), across from each other.

   • Tie a string through so the fish can hang horizontally and blow in the breeze.

🌬️ Other Information:

• What it represents: Koinobori are flown for Children’s Day in Japan (May 5th) to symbolise strength, courage, and good fortune.