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Make These Watermelon Sharks On Your Next Camping Trip

This post was updated on March 15th, 2024

Nothing hits the spot like watermelon on a hot day in the spring and summer. Aside from being delicious, the fruit has loads of nutritional benefits and it’s an easy snack to bring on camping trips.

But why settle for regular watermelon slices? These Jaws-style fruit bowls from Mike on Instructables are way more fun to sink your teeth into, and they’re pretty easy to put together. Here’s how to make your own.

watermelon sharks
All photos by mikeasaurus on Instructables
1. Before anything, wash and examine your watermelon.

watermelon sharks

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After washing and drying, look over your melon for the side with the best color (and least bruising). This will help you determine where to place the mouth opening.

2. Make an angled cut on the end.

watermelon shark

This will tilt your watermelon shark when it’s sitting upright. Make sure to cut on the opposite end from the stem, because that end will be cut next for the mouth.

3. Sketch the mouth outline.

watermelon sharks

Mike used a dry erase marker to plan the mouth shape ahead of time. Stand the watermelon upright and lightly sketch an outline on the top around the stem (in a semi-circle shape, as pictured above).

4. Cut and remove the opening.

watermelon sharks

watermelon sharks

Make an incision on the outline with a knife, and cut along your line to remove the wedge. Clean off any excess marker that doesn’t get cut with a wet cloth.

5. Trim the opening for teeth.

watermelon shark

watermelon sharks

Using a smaller paring knife, cut a shallow outline 1/2″ (13mm) around the opening. Be careful to only puncture and remove the green outer rind, not the white layer beneath. This strip of white will be later cut into the shark’s teeth.

6. Scoop out the innards.

watermelon sharks watermelon sharks

Like carving a pumpkin for Halloween, you’ll want to scoop everything out and make the inside hollow. To do this, use a knife to cut around the opening inside and spoon out the inner watermelon, leaving just the bottom intact.

7. Cut the teeth.

watermelon sharks

Using a smaller knife, cut the top and bottom white strips in a serrated pattern. Start by making the biggest teeth in the middle, and make them smaller towards each corner of the mouth.

8. Make a fin.

watermelon sharks

You can use the leftover melon from the angled cut or from the mouth opening to cut a fin for your shark. To secure the fin in place, attach it on the side using toothpicks:

watermelon shark

9. Fill the mouth with fruit & candy.

watermelon sharks

watermelon sharks

The hollowed-out inside can now be used as a bowl to hold an assortment of fruits and candies. We recommend throwing in chunks of the watermelon that were scooped out, along with grapes and Swedish fish.

10. Add in the eye.

watermelon shark watermelon shark

Experiment with placement before you commit to scooping out the socket for your eye. Use a melon baller to get the perfect shape and place a large black grape inside.

11. Throw the shark in a bowl with blue Jello.

watermelon sharkswatermelon sharks

Your watermelon shark needs water to be swimming in, and blue Jello is the perfect solution. Make a batch based on the directions on the box and let it cool overnight. Then throw your whale in a bowl and surround it with the chilled dessert.

12. Top it off with Swedish fish.

watermelon sharks

Swedish fish are optional, but they’re really the icing on the cake. Try throwing some in your bowl to finish off the oceanic look.

“Surf’s up!”

watermelon shark

These watermelon sharks would be perfect in an RV, on a picnic, or even just sitting out by the campfire.  Also, be sure to check out How To Make Bread While You’re Camping… Using Just A Flower Pot!