Kids Craft: Sock + Octopus = Socktopus!
What do you do when your sock loses its match? Get crafty, of course! Use your lone socks to create a fun octopus craft that makes a great decoration for your playroom.
These are so much fun and easy that you’ll want to make lots. If you need more socks, you can find inexpensive colorful pairs at the dollar store, along with the colored shoelaces used in this craft.
What you need to make sock octopuses:
- A sock
- A piece of recycled cereal box
- A pair of shoelaces
- Stuffing
- 2 googly eyes
- A piece of ribbon
- Scissors
- Hot glue and glue gun (adults only)
How to make it:
1. Draw a circle or an oval shape on a piece of recycled Kix cereal box. This will make the shape for your octopus’ head.
2. Cut the circle out, then insert it into the sock.
3. Place stuffing into the sock on one side of the cardboard insert (the other side should remain flat).
Note about stuffing: We used the stuffing from an old pillow, but you can buy polyester batting, or use crumpled up paper towels as stuffing.
4. Cut a pair of shoelaces into four equal pieces. Parents only: fold the pieces in half, then hot glue the pieces (at the fold) inside the bottom of the sock. Hot glue the sock opening closed.
Note about shoelaces: You can substitute any other string-like item in place of the shoelaces, such as ribbon, strips of t-shirt or felt, or yarn.
5. Parents only: Use the glue gun to attach googly eyes to the front of the octopus, and a loop of ribbon to the back of the octopus.
You’re done! Time to make some more! In case you were wondering, a group of octopuses is called “a consortium.”
Heather Mann is the mother of four boys, and is constantly on the lookout for fun games, activities, and recipes to keep her busy boys, well, busy. She designs and shares clever crafts with a frugal twist at her site Dollar Store Crafts and ideas for being the best mom ever (on a budget) at Dollar Store Mom.