Turn snack time into a sea-themed adventure with these Under the Sea Graham Crackers. Featuring a “beach” of graham crumbs, creamy ocean-blue buttercream, and cute goldfish crackers, these treats are fun to make, fun to eat, and perfect for kids (or the kid in you).

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

• Whimsical design: It’s an edible ocean scene that’s sure to wow little ones.

• Kid-friendly: No baking required—just spreading, decorating, and snacking.

• Customizable fun: Create seaweed, bubbles, and even crabs with colorful sprinkles.

• Perfect for parties: Great for birthday snacks, school treats, or creative rainy day activities.

Under the Sea Graham Crackers

Snacks can be more than just a quick bite—they can be a creative escape. That’s the spirit behind these Under the Sea Graham Crackers, a fun and imaginative way to bring a bit of edible art into your kitchen. No fancy ingredients, no complicated steps, just a little frosting, a little flair, and a whole lot of joy.

This recipe is all about transforming something as humble as a graham cracker into an underwater wonderland. It’s ideal for kids’ parties, classroom projects, or just a fun kitchen activity on a rainy afternoon. Bonus: they taste just as delightful as they look.

At the heart of it all is a simple blue buttercream, tinted with teal or ocean-blue food coloring. The frosting forms the “sea,” and its creamy sweetness pairs beautifully with the crunch of the graham base. It’s soft, spreadable, and easy to work with—great for tiny hands.

Once the base layer of frosting is on, it’s time to dip the bottom portion into a bowl of crushed graham crackers—voilà! Instant edible sand. This tactile moment is a hit with kids and a clever way to add texture and color contrast to each cracker.

From there, it’s decoration time. Goldfish crackers become the stars of the scene, swimming through the blue “water.” Each one gets a pair of air bubbles made from tiny white round sprinkles—a small detail that really brings the scene to life.

But we don’t stop there. Using long green sprinkles, we mimic seaweed gently swaying on the ocean floor. Want to go a step further? Craft a crab using one red round sprinkle for the body and red jimmies for the legs. It’s all about layering whimsy and texture with each detail.

What’s great is that these treats require no baking. You can make a whole tray in 20 minutes or less. They’re perfect for last-minute playdates, birthday themes (Little Mermaid, anyone?), or school snacks with extra flair.

Not to mention, they’re endlessly customizable. Want to add starfish? Use star-shaped sprinkles. Jellyfish? Pipe squiggles with colored frosting. You can even let kids create their own underwater stories as they decorate each cracker.

Because of their visual appeal, these treats double as edible decorations. Line them up along a dessert table for instant ocean-themed charm, or serve them as edible place cards at a beachy birthday bash.

They also store surprisingly well. Just refrigerate them in a sealed container if made ahead. The frosting will firm up slightly, making them even easier to transport without mess.

And unlike store-bought frosted snacks, these give you full control over the ingredients—from the type of frosting to the decorations on top. Make them dye-free, organic, or dairy-free depending on your needs.

In the end, these Under the Sea Graham Crackers are more than just a treat—they’re a creative project, a snack-time smile-maker, and a sweet celebration of all things playful and delicious.

SERVINGS

Makes about 12 decorated graham cracker squares

TIME

• Prep Time: 20 minutes

• Total Time: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS

For Assembly

• 6 full graham crackers, halved

• 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs (for “sand”)

• 24 goldfish crackers

• White ball sprinkles (for air bubbles)

• Green and red long sprinkles (for seaweed and crab legs)

• Red round sprinkles (for crab bodies)

Blue Buttercream

• 1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature

• 1/2 cup vegetable shortening (or more butter)

• 2 cups powdered sugar

• Teal or blue food coloring

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a bowl, beat butter and shortening with an electric mixer until fluffy, about 2 minutes.

2. Slowly mix in powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until smooth and thick.

3. Add blue or teal food coloring and stir until color is fully incorporated.

4. Spread blue buttercream on each graham cracker piece, leaving the top edge bare.

5. Dip the bottom third of each frosted cracker into the bowl of graham crumbs to create a sandy beach.

6. Place 2 goldfish crackers swimming through the “water.”

7. Add 2 white sprinkles near each fish to mimic air bubbles.

8. Use green sprinkles for seaweed by arranging them vertically in the “sand.”

9. For a crab, place 1 red round sprinkle for the body and surround it with 6 red sprinkles for legs.

10. Repeat for all crackers. Serve immediately or chill briefly to set.

TIPS

• For extra-fine “sand,” pulse graham crackers in a food processor.

• Use a butter knife or offset spatula for smooth frosting application.

• Let kids decorate their own—makes a great party activity!

• Keep them chilled if preparing ahead to keep the frosting firm.