The Pout-Pout Fish Family Activity

It’s time to dive into the underwater world of The Pout-Pout Fish! Get ready to go on a fun-filled adventure with the perpetually pouty Mr. Pout-Pout Fish, filled with colorful puppets and catchy tunes. This frowny fish will meet friends and foes as he learns that there is no magic formula to find happiness. In this Family Activity, craft your own fish puppet, discover different aquatic creatures and write a sea creature adventure story!

At Home

The puppeteers of The Pout-Pout Fish make the characters swim, sing, dance and twirl all through the ocean blue. Now, it’s your turn to be the puppeteer! In this activity, make your own Fish Puppet and explore how they might move through the sea.

Check out this video to watch how to make your Fish Puppet. See below for instructions!

Materials: Fish Puppet worksheet, scissors, coloring utensils, a glue stick or tape

Step One: Print out the Fish Puppet worksheet. Cut out the hand straps and set them aside for later.

Step Two: Color your fish with markers or colored pencils to give it some personality.

Step Three: To make sure it’s flexible, fold your puppet along the three dotted lines and then open it back up. Now, cut out your fish.

Step Four: It’s time to construct your puppet. Fold it in half at the center so the colored side is on the inside. Then fold back the top and bottom flaps so you can see your fish’s face.

Step Five: Hold your fish puppet by pinching it at the centerfold. To secure your fingers, glue or tape your hand straps to the top and bottom of that fold.

Step Six: Try puppeteering and imagine how your fish might move. Think:

• How fast do they swim? Are they slow or speedy? Lazy or excited?
• Do they swim moving up and down? Left to right?
• Do they sing while they swim? Dance, laugh, eat?
• Can they do any special tricks? Flip, twirl, bounce, float?
• Where are they swimming to? Are they visiting someone? Going on an adventure?
• Do they swim alone? With friends?
• What do they see along the way while they’re swimming?

On the Way

Pout-Pout meets many new friends on his journey. These sea buddies have real-life counterparts that exist in our world. Check out Pout-Pout and his pals’ real-life undersea relatives.

Watch this video and talk about the similarities and differences between the puppets and real-life footage. Look out for these creatures in the show you are about to see!

After the Show

The Pout-Pout Fish was inspired by the book series written by Deborah Diesen and illustrated by Dan Hanna. Now that you’ve seen The Pout-Pout Fish, take a moment to think about these questions.

• Have you read the books? What were some things you recognized from the books? What were some things that were different from the book?
• What were some things that Pout-Pout learned on his journey?
• Can you think of a time when you had to face your fears? What did that feel like?
• What are some things that your family or friends have done to wash away your dreary-wearies?
• After talking through those questions, put your storytelling hat on and get those creative juices flowing to write your own aquatic adventure!

Materials: Storybook worksheets, coloring utensils

Step One: Ask each other the following questions:

• What sea creatures do you want your story to be about?
• What will you name your main character?
• Pout-Pout wants to find his way home—what does your animal want? To be the fastest swimmer? To make a new best friend? To sail across the ocean?  What does your main character want more than anything in the world?
• From these questions, come up with the title of your story. Here are some examples:
  • The Adventures of Sheila the Puffer Fish: Underwater Spy
  • How Larry the Lobster Won the Race
  • How Sammy the Swordfish Made a Sandwich
  • The Story of Delilah the Dolphin and Her Disco Dreams
  • Make your own title!

  Step Two: Print out these storybook worksheets. Then, illustrate your chosen title—get creative!

  Step Three: Dive into writing your underwater adventure. Every good story has a beginning, middle and end. While filling in the blanks, think:

  • Who is your character?
  • What is their dream?
  • Adventure time! What do they have to do to make their dream come true?
  • Don’t forget to draw pictures of your sea creature’s adventure!

  Step Four: You did it! You’re a certified aquatic adventure author. Now it’s time to share your story. Read it aloud to a family member or friend.

  Step Five: Act out your story with the fish puppet you made at home to put on your very own show! Think:

  • What do you need to turn this story into a show?
  • What does the setting look like?
  • Do you need any props?
  • Does your show have music or dancing?
  • Does your sea creature talk? What do they sound like?
  • How do they move?
  • Are there other characters in your story?

   

  And Beyond

  • See more of the ocean by visiting the New York Aquarium.
  • In the mood for some light reading? Pick up a copy of The Pout-Pout Fish and browse the rest of the series at the Strand Bookstore.
  • Do you still feel like you want to dive deeper into the sea? Check out this immersive underwater adventure.