How To Make DIY Portholes
Published December 14, 2023
Char Miller-King of Wooden Maven is a professional woodworking teacher based in Atlanta and works under the handle Wooden Maven. She teaches woodshop to children and adults at Decatur Makers, a makerspace in Atlanta. As well as teaching across the country at schools such as Penland School of Craft. Her presence has been seen nationwide as a content creator for brands such as Rockler, The Home Depot and Power Pro. You may have also seen her appearances on This Old House and Magnolia and in numerous commercials and magazines such as GMC, Carhartt and Popular Woodworking. Char’s been highlighted by the likes of Ask This Old House and the Woodworking Journal. She’s spoken at conferences such as WorkbenchCon, Haven and sits on the board of directors with HatchSpace in Battleboro, Vermont and Decatur Makers in Atlanta, Georgia.
A Note From The Home Depot
Are you looking for a fun and easy to follow DIY project to do with your kids? Follow along as Char of Wooden Maven shows a step-by-step on how to make DIY portholes!
Table of Contents
How To Make Portholes
Steps an Adult Should Complete
How To Make Portholes
The Georgia Aquarium is the largest aquarium in the United States and the only aquarium in North America to house manta rays and great whale sharks. It boasts a whopping ten million gallons of water on its campus. Having an annual pass to see, learn and do is definitely worth it!
Until you can get to the Georgia Aquarium, here’s a fun activity inspired by the under the sea life at the aquarium. This fun and easy aquarium themed project provides children with a hands-on experience that is sure to engage and spark creativity. DIY portholes give you a peak into ocean life and can be made with items purchased at The Home Depot.
These DIY portholes have a great mix of things an adult should help with and items that allow children to make it feel like their own design.
Steps an Adult Should Complete
Step 1. Spray paint one planter tray blue and one brass as well as the hex nuts.
Step 2. Spray paint the round cardboard cutout with shades of blue to mimic the ocean.
Step 3. Cut the bottom out of the brass tray, leaving only the rim.
Step 4. After placing the cardboard cutout in the blue tray, begin to add embellishments using the hot glue gun. Add sea moss and cut the pool noodles into coral reef shapes and sea grass.
Step 5. A school of origami fish can be made from free paint sample cards from The Home Depot, the larger eight-by-eight sheets are best. Glue your fish down.
Step 6. Cover the tray with a round piece of acetate or plastic wrap and place the brass rim on top, securing it with hot glue. Lastly, glue the hex nuts on.
Step 7. Optional, make a submarine from a large piece of cardboard and paint it yellow or any color that suits you. Attach your portholes to the submarine with glue.
Now, sit back and pretend you’re on an under the sea adventure at the Georgia Aquarium!
This post was created in partnership with The Home Depot. The author may have received compensation for this article and associated images or video, potentially in the form of products and/or services. All expressed opinions and experiences are the author’s own words.
