What’s unique about an octopus? Dig out some facts, use a little imagination, and bring these surreal creatures up from the sea!
1.
Octopuses are solitary creatures. They have lots of ways to protect themselves. They can make themselves flat. They can change colors to match the ocean floor. They can make themselves look big to scare away enemies. Octopuses can shoot out black liquid to temporarily blind their attackers. Some can even change color to sport bright spots and designs! Now that’s really protective coloration!
2.
Imagine your very own colorful octopus. Shape a handful of white Crayola Model Magic into an octopus’s elongated head. To make a colorful octopus, knead color from a Crayola Washable Gel Marker into white Model Magic. To marble the color, mix it in just a little. For an even color, mix more.
3.
Roll eight tentacles (arms), each with one wide end and one tipped end. Make suckers if you want along the tentacles’ bottom. Attach the wide ends to the body by pressing the damp Model Magic to itself. Air-dry your octopus.
4.
Decorate each octopus arm with markers. Try fun shapes such as circles, squares, swirls, stars, and triangles. To create a plaid, draw lines one way and others crossing them. Display your colorful creatures along with a report about their lives.
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