How to make a watermelon shark that is sure to be a hit at your next summer BBQ! Fill with fruit and gummy fish for a fun added detail!
Making a watermelon shark is such a fun summer tradition that we have. We usually make one for the 4th of July, but have brought them to summer BBQs with friends at other times too. It really isn’t hard to make a watermelon shark and it’s always such a hit with the kids!
The photo above is of the kids working on our first shark 8 years ago!
We’ve made our watermelon shark many times and it’s fun to see the photos throughout the years. Every time we make him, he looks a little different!
(Yes, the baby is sans-pants, holding a toothpick on the table. Crazy kid!)
The girls made this one with a bit of help on the big cuts. The teeth aren’t perfect, but I love how it turned out and they didn’t cut themselves!
Ready to make a watermelon shark? Here is what you will need!
platter or cutting board
seedless watermelon
large knife
sharp paring knife
melon baller
permanent marker
toothpicks
gummy fish
Watermelon Shark Instructions:
- If the watermelon is dusty, give it a quick wash and dry with a towel.
- You will need to cut a flat surface on the watermelon so that it can stand on its own. To do this, cut off about 1/3 of the watermelon on an angle (diagonal).
- Place the watermelon, flat side down, onto a large platter or cutting board.
- Cut out the mouth with a sharp knife.
- Use a melon baller to scoop out the watermelon. Leave 2-3″ of the base intact. We learned the hard way that if you scoop out too much of the watermelon that the juices will leak out the bottom. Leaving 3″ of watermelon will create a barrier.
- Use a small knife or Exacto knife to carefully cut out teeth. To do this, cut a shallow outline (about 1″) around the mouth, only cutting through the green rind. Then carve off the strip of green rind until you have a 1″ white outline around the mouth. The white strip will be the teeth.
- Make cuts all around the white outline area to create teeth.
- Remember the 1/3 of the watermelon that you cut off? Use that to cut out fins. Attach fins with toothpicks.
- Draw an eye on with a permanent marker.
Tips to make a watermelon shark:
- Use a melon baller to scoop out watermelon.
- Gummy fish are such a fun added detail but do get sticky if touching the watermelon. Have some on the side that are nice and dry to serve with the watermelon.
- Fill with other fruits for a yummy fruit salad watermelon shark!
This idea and instrucitons came from Sun Scholars, but it appears that her site is no longer around to link to. When I realized this, I updated the post and added instructions.
Here are more fun watermelon carving ideas from Taste of Home.
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Renata says
May 25, 2012 at 7:31 pmI love it! I wish I was that patient to creat scuh amazing things!
Bindu says
May 25, 2012 at 9:00 pmWow!!That is cool. have a wonderful summer
Laurie @ Rookiewife520.blogspot.com says
May 25, 2012 at 11:11 pmThat’s so cute!
Keri says
May 26, 2012 at 3:45 amToo cute! That’s such a great idea.
Melanie says
May 26, 2012 at 4:13 pmThat is awesome! We have to bring watermelon to school this week, maybe we’ll make a shark too! Also, where exactly in CA?
Scrappy Gifts says
May 26, 2012 at 4:14 pmSo cool!
Shasta @ intheoldroad says
May 31, 2012 at 12:59 amThat looks good…perfect for summer. I’d love it if you would consider sharing it with our Summer Recipes linky party. We’re two blogs sharing one combined linky party for double exposure.
Shasta
http://intheoldroad.blogspot.com/2012/05/summer-recipes-and-all-stars-linky.html
Randi~Dukes and Duchesses says
June 2, 2012 at 2:43 amLove it! This would be perfect for a pool party this summer. I love the fish candies … what a fun touch. Thanks so much for sharing!
therewasacrookedhouse says
June 5, 2012 at 4:41 amWow! That looks great. I will have to remember that for our next summer party.
Angela Abbott says
June 1, 2013 at 6:41 amJust found your blog through the Show & Tell Hop. This is too cute. Thanks for sharing!
Angel
http://householdsavvy.com
Samantha @ Five Heart Home says
June 29, 2013 at 12:59 amHopping over from TT&J Weekend Wrap-Up to say I love this idea! Pinning it for my son’s upcoming pool party birthday party. Thanks for the inspiration!
DesignedByBH says
June 29, 2013 at 1:09 amAww, super cute! 🙂
Hope the move went well!
JDaniel4's Mom says
June 30, 2013 at 11:41 amI made one of these once before, but I didn’t include the fish. What a brilliant addition! I am going to pin this post.
Laura says
July 5, 2013 at 2:09 amI love your watermelon shark and its candy fish lunch! I am featuring this project on my blog today. http://www.theexperimentalhome.com/check-in-check-out-4/
JESS44903 says
May 9, 2016 at 11:18 amWell isn’t this just the cutest! 🙂
I would love for you to share this with my Recipes, Crafts, Tips and Tricks Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Munchkin Time says
May 9, 2016 at 4:47 pmThis looks so cool, thank you so much for sharing! Going to pin it on Pinterest!;D
Sam says
May 9, 2016 at 9:36 pmThis is so adorable!! Now I need to find a reason to use this…
krista says
May 10, 2016 at 5:34 pmThis is so creative. I am amazed how great it looks.
Claire says
May 10, 2016 at 10:15 pmOh wow this is so creative! Love it 🙂 I bet the children do to…
Would love you to share at my Tuesday Treats blog hop?
Lady Lilith says
May 11, 2016 at 2:39 pmThis is such a fun way to encourage healthy snacks. I would add some grapes and berries.
Brandy says
May 12, 2016 at 8:34 amThat’s a great idea for a filler! Perfect for summer too!
themondaybox says
May 11, 2016 at 5:50 pmWhat an awesome centerpiece! Even more special and fun that the kids can help make it themselves.
Erin says
May 14, 2016 at 1:00 pmCute!!
Cristina at Ava's Alphabet says
May 14, 2016 at 8:12 pmThis is awesome! I made a watermelon owl for my daughter’s “Look Whooo’s One?” first birthday party. Perhaps this will have to be my next watermelon masterpiece?!? Thanks for sharing. 🙂
l0l0bunny says
May 15, 2016 at 12:34 pmCute! My students would get a kick out of this!
apoconant says
May 15, 2016 at 1:20 pmI love this! I’ll be bringing one of these to my in-laws memorial day bbq!
You should stop by my weekly link party and share this with everyone : )
http://www.twentysomethinginthe2010s.com/peace-love-linkup-007/
JD - altamontefamily.com says
May 16, 2016 at 12:03 amSooo cute! This would be perfect for shark week or any summer party! Love that watermelons are in season right now. Stopping by from the Happiness is Homemade Link Party. Just joined today and your post caught my eye!!!
JD – altamontefamily.com
Mama's Happy Hive says
May 17, 2016 at 6:22 pmThank you for linking up at “A Little Bird Told Me” Wednesday link party! You have been featured on Mama’s Happy Hive blog. 🙂
DearCreatives (@DearCreatives) says
May 17, 2016 at 11:24 pmHi Brandy, Such a fun idea for a party or BBQ. Thanks for sharing at the Inspiration Spotlight Party. Pinned & shared. Hope packing and your move goes well. See you again soon.
Anne @ Domesblissity says
May 18, 2016 at 4:46 amHi Brandy. I’ve seen these watermelon sculptures so much on Pinterest and have been so tempted to have a go at making one. Thanks so much for sharing at Thriving on Thursdays. I’m featuring this post at tomorrow’s party.
Anne @ Domesblissity
Shelley @ Calypso in the Country says
May 18, 2016 at 4:57 amThis is beyond adorable!
Shelley
Brandy says
May 18, 2016 at 8:32 amThanks Shelley! 🙂
Tanya @ Mom's Small Victories says
May 18, 2016 at 1:38 pmI love it, my oldest loves sharks and all my boys love watermelon. They’d flip if I did this! Thanks for sharing with Small Victories Sunday Linkup. Pinning to our linkup board and hope you found some great posts to visit this week!
Brandy says
May 18, 2016 at 2:02 pmThanks so much, Tanya!!
Desiree @THE36THAVENUE says
May 19, 2016 at 8:55 amSuch a fun idea! Thank you so much for linking up to our Party Palooza! Sharing on FB later today! XO
Brandy says
May 19, 2016 at 12:21 pmThanks so much, Desiree! 🙂
Navy Wifey Peters @ USS Crafty says
May 19, 2016 at 4:07 pmSuch a fun snack! Thanks for sharing at the Submarine Sunday Link Party!
Leigh Powell Hines (@Hinessightblog) says
May 21, 2016 at 3:40 pmCute. Cute. Cute.