Create a colorful ocean-themed classroom bulletin board that’s sure to make a splash!

I have made some bulletin boards (like my friendship bracelet one and the giant crafts supplies one) and some of the comments I got were about the price to make it! So I wanted to create a whole bulletin board using only paper! So for under $10- ( and some time), I made this Giant ocean bulletin board!

We chose remarkably bright creatures based on the amazing book (and now movie). But I have lots of other fun phrases you can use down below!

If you’re looking for a fun and eye-catching bulletin board idea for school, this Under the Sea classroom display is perfect for welcoming students back to school. Featuring playful sea creatures, colorful coral reefs, and a cheerful message, this ocean-themed bulletin board is made almost entirely from colored paper, scissors, and glue—no Cricut or fancy cutting machines required!

Whether you’re decorating an elementary hallway, classroom, library, or homeschool space, this DIY bulletin board is an easy way to brighten your learning environment.

Supplies You’ll Need

Colored bulletin board paper
Construction paper or cardstock in assorted colors
Pencil
Scissors
Glue stick or school glue
Stapler

Step 1: Cover Your Bulletin Board

Begin by covering the bulletin board with a bright turquoise or teal bulletin board paper to resemble the ocean.

Step 2: Create the Ocean Floor

Cut large rolling hills from brown paper.

Don’t worry about making them perfect—the uneven shapes actually make the ocean floor look more natural.

Glue or staple the hills along the bottom of the bulletin board.

Step 3: Cut Seaweed

Using several shades of green paper, cut long wavy strips.

Make some tall.

Make others short.

Mix straight blades with curly pieces to create lots of texture.

Layer the seaweed throughout the bottom of the display.

Step 4: Make Colorful Coral

Cut coral shapes from:

Pink
Purple
Yellow
Lime green
Orange

Each coral piece should have rounded branches instead of sharp points.

Layer different colors together to make the reef look full.

Step 5: Create the Sea Creatures

The fun part is bringing the ocean to life! I had to sketch out some designs and then made sure the pencil marks were on the back so I didn’t have to erase. If you aren’t great at free handing, you can trace some images using your phone or computer!

Octopus

Cut:

One large circle for the head
Eight long curved tentacles
Small circles for suction cups
Large cartoon eyes

Glue everything together and add little eyebrows for personality.

Jellyfish

Cut:

Rounded domes
Long wavy tentacles
White circles for shiny highlights

Adding a few white accents makes them look glossy.

Fish

Fish are incredibly easy!

Cut:

Oval body
Triangle tail
Small fins
Circle eye

Decorate with stripes, dots, or scales using markers or layered paper.

Make several different sizes to create depth.

Crab

Cut:

Large circle
Two claws
Six legs
Funny eyes

A smiling crab instantly adds character.

Tip: Use a hole punch to get perfect circles for the eyes.

Turtle

For the turtle you’ll need:

Oval shell
Small head
Four flippers
Tiny tail

Decorate the shell with paper circles.

Seahorse

Cut one simple curved body.

Add:

Curled tail
Small fin
Eye

Starfish

Simply cut a five-pointed rounded star.

Cut a smaller one for dimension.

Step 6: Add Bubbles

Nothing says “underwater” like bubbles!

Cut circles from light blue in different sizes.

Scatter them throughout the board above any creature or fish.

You can even overlap some for extra dimension.

Step 7: Add Small Details

Tiny details make a huge difference.

Cut:

Tiny fish
Sea shells
Sand dollars
Sea plants
Rocks
Anchors

These filler pieces help the board feel complete. We even included a fork for little mermaid, a little spongebob peaking behind dirt, and a hook with a worm.

Step 8: Create the Bulletin Board Title

The title is the focal point of the board. And I even cut this out my hand! I was so tempted to use my silhouette- but I really tried to prove that you only need scissors, glue and paper! (You can print out some letters to trace around if you need to!)

For this display we used:

“Riverside School Students Are Remarkably Bright Creatures”

You can customize it with your own school name.

Other fun sayings include:

We Sea Great Things This Year!
Diving Into Learning
Our Class Is Making Waves
You’re O-Fish-Ally Amazing
Seas the Day!
School Is Fin-Tastic
Welcome to Our School of Fish
Our Students Are Shore to Succeed

Cut each letter from brightly colored paper.

Layer darker paper behind each letter to create a shadow effect that makes the words pop.

Step 9: Layer Everything

Start with:

Ocean floor
Seaweed
Coral

Next add:

Large animals

Finally:

Title
Small fish
Bubbles
Sea plants

Layering creates a three-dimensional look even though everything is flat paper.

Tips for Success

Use several shades of the same color to add depth.
Make creatures in different sizes.
Slightly overlap pieces.
Don’t make everything symmetrical—nature isn’t!
Leave some open space so the board doesn’t feel crowded.

Ways to Customize This Bulletin Board

This theme works for every season!

Beginning of School

“Welcome to Our School of Fish”

Reading Theme

“Dive Into a Good Book”

Testing Season

“Our Students Are Making Waves”

Science Theme

“Exploring the Ocean”

Summer School

“Sea You Learning!”

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this with a Cricut or Silhouette?

Absolutely! Every shape can be cut by hand using scissors and simple paper templates. Or put the paper into your cricut and have it do the work for you.

What type of paper works best?

Construction paper works well for smaller pieces, while bulletin board paper is ideal for backgrounds and larger elements. Cardstock is great if you want sturdier sea creatures that will last longer.

How long does this bulletin board take to make?

Plan for about 3–5 hours, depending on the size of your display and the level of detail you add. To save time, recruit a coworker, student helpers, or family members to cut out different sea creatures.

Save for later

Too busy to get crafting today? No problem! Pin this post to remind yourself about this project later! Sharing my projects helps me reach more people, allowing me to continue sharing free content!

Final Thoughts

This Under the Sea bulletin board is a fun way to welcome students into a bright, cheerful classroom. Best of all, it requires only basic craft supplies—paper, scissors, and glue—making it affordable and easy to recreate. With colorful sea creatures, layered coral, and a playful ocean-themed message, this display is sure to become a favorite in your school hallway or classroom.

How to Make an Under the Sea Bulletin Board with Paper, Scissors & Glue

Supplies You’ll Need

Step 1: Cover Your Bulletin Board

Step 2: Create the Ocean Floor

Step 3: Cut Seaweed

Step 4: Make Colorful Coral