Color the Mermaid

What can we use if we don't have glitter glue or loose glitter?

If you don't have glitter glue or loose glitter for the step 'Add glitter highlights to scales and accessories,' use metallic gel pens, sequins glued with school glue, or sprinkle coarse salt onto wet paint for a sparkly effect.

My mermaid's tail or arms look wrong—how can we fix the drawing before coloring?

If proportions or limb placement look off, follow steps 2 and 3 by lightly sketching the head, torso, and simple arm shapes first, then erase and redraw the tail attachment and fin until the pose looks balanced before coloring.

How can I adapt this activity for different age groups?

For younger kids simplify step 7 by drawing large curved stripes instead of a repeating scale pattern and let them use crayons, while older children can focus on step 9's test color mixing, detailed scale shading in step 11, and finer accessories.

How can we extend or personalize the mermaid project once it's finished?

To personalize and extend the scene, build on step 13 by adding textured seaweed with crepe paper, extra sequins to scales from step 11, and a background diorama before sharing the final piece on DIY.org.