Paper plate crafts are a favorite among young children because they’re simple, inexpensive, and highly customizable. One of the most enjoyable ways to use paper plates in arts and crafts is to turn them into adorable animals! This activity is perfect for children ages 3-5, as it encourages creativity, helps with fine motor skills, and introduces them to different animals in a fun and hands-on way.
In this article, we’ll explore how to make various paper plate animals, provide step-by-step instructions, and share fun variations to keep kids engaged. Whether you’re at home, in a classroom, or hosting a birthday party, paper plate animals are a versatile craft that kids will love.
Why Paper Plate Animals Are Great for Kids
Making paper plate animals is not only fun, but it also offers numerous developmental benefits for young children:
- Fine Motor Skills: Cutting, painting, and gluing are excellent ways for children to develop their fine motor skills.
- Creativity and Imagination: Children can create animals based on real-life creatures or let their imaginations run wild and invent their own fantastical beasts.
- Animal Recognition: Kids learn about different animals as they craft, enhancing their understanding of the animal kingdom.
- Sensory Exploration: By using materials like paint, paper, and markers, children engage their senses and enjoy tactile experiences.
Basic Materials for Paper Plate Animals
To create paper plate animals, you’ll need a few basic supplies that are easy to find and fun to use:
- Paper Plates: The star of the craft! You can use standard round paper plates or go for the square or shaped plates for a different twist.
- Paints or Markers: To add color to the animals’ faces, bodies, and other features.
- Glue: For sticking pieces together.
- Scissors: To cut out shapes (with adult supervision).
- Construction Paper: For cutting out details like ears, noses, and tails.
- Googly Eyes: These add a playful, fun touch to the animals’ faces.
- Cotton Balls: Perfect for adding texture, especially for furry animals like sheep and bears.
- Pipe Cleaners: Great for making tails, ears, or whiskers.
Feathers, Pom-Poms, Buttons, or Other Embellishments: These add unique textures and colors to the animals.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Paper Plate Animals
Here are instructions for making three popular paper plate animals, with variations to explore and additional suggestions for creative fun.
1. Paper Plate Lion
A paper plate lion is easy to make and great for learning about the king of the jungle!
Materials Needed:
- 1 paper plate (for the lion’s face)
- Yellow, orange, and brown construction paper (for the mane)
- Googly eyes
- Black marker (for the nose and mouth)
- Scissors
- Glue or a glue stick
Instructions:
- Paint the Plate: Start by painting the paper plate yellow or a light brown color to create the lion’s face.
- Cut the Mane: Cut strips of yellow, orange, and brown construction paper. The strips should be about 2-3 inches long and about 1 inch wide. These will form the lion’s mane.
- Glue the Mane: Glue the strips of paper around the edge of the plate, layering them in a way that creates a full, fluffy mane. You can even curl the edges of the strips to add more texture.
- Add Facial Features: Glue googly eyes onto the plate for the lion’s eyes. Use the black marker to draw a small triangle-shaped nose and a mouth. Optionally, add whiskers using pipe cleaners.
- Final Touches: Once everything is dry, your lion is ready to roar!
Fun Variations:
- Use a brown paper plate to make a darker lion.
- Make a pink lion by using light pink and white construction paper for a more playful version.
2. Paper Plate Owl
An owl is a great animal to make with a paper plate, especially if you want to talk about nocturnal creatures!
Materials Needed:
- 1 paper plate (for the owl’s face)
- Construction paper in different colors (brown, yellow, orange, and white)
- Googly eyes
- Scissors
- Glue or glue stick
- Markers
Instructions:
- Paint the Plate: If desired, paint the paper plate brown or any color you’d like the owl to be.
- Make the Eyes: Glue googly eyes onto the center of the plate. For added fun, cut two small circles from white construction paper and glue them around the googly eyes to create the owl’s eye rings.
- Cut Out Wings: Cut two wing shapes from brown or orange construction paper. Glue them to each side of the owl’s body.
- Add the Beak: Cut out a small triangle from orange construction paper and glue it below the eyes for the owl’s beak.
- Add Feet: Cut two small strips of orange paper, fold them, and glue them at the bottom of the owl for feet.
- Details: Use markers to add extra details like feathers on the wings or additional textures.
Fun Variations:
- Make a bright-colored owl using neon or pastel paper for a modern, whimsical look.
- Create a snowy owl by using white construction paper and adding light gray details.
3. Paper Plate Sheep
This adorable sheep is perfect for farm-themed crafts or when learning about animals that live on a farm.
Materials Needed:
- 1 paper plate (for the sheep’s face)
- Cotton balls (for the wool)
- Black construction paper (for the ears and face)
- Googly eyes
- Scissors
- Glue
Instructions:
- Paint the Plate: Paint the center of the paper plate a light pink or brown to create the sheep’s face. Let it dry.
- Make the Wool: Tear cotton balls into smaller pieces and glue them around the edge of the plate to create fluffy wool.
- Cut Out the Ears: Cut two small ear shapes from black construction paper and glue them to the top of the plate.
- Add Facial Features: Glue googly eyes in place and use black construction paper to cut out a small oval for the sheep’s nose. Draw a mouth with a black marker.
- Final Touches: If you like, add extra cotton balls for texture or use colored markers to decorate the wool.
Fun Variations:
- Create a black sheep by using a dark-colored paper plate and black cotton balls.
- Make a baby lamb by using smaller cotton balls for a fluffy, cute look.
Other Fun Paper Plate Animal Ideas
Here are some additional paper plate animal crafts you can try with your child:
- Paper Plate Tiger: Paint the plate orange with black stripes, add ears with construction paper, and draw a big smile.
- Paper Plate Fish: Cut a triangle shape for the fish’s tail and decorate with scales using colorful paper or markers.
- Paper Plate Elephant: Create large ears from gray construction paper and add a trunk using a rolled-up piece of paper.
- Paper Plate Butterfly: Cut the plate in half, decorate with colorful patterns, and attach pipe cleaners for antennae.
- Paper Plate Penguin: Use black and white construction paper, and add orange feet and a beak for a cute penguin.
Making paper plate animals is an easy, fun, and educational activity for young children. Whether you’re creating a lion, owl, sheep, or any other animal, this craft helps children engage with their creativity, practice fine motor skills, and learn about animals. The best part is that these paper plate animals can be made with simple materials that you already have around the house, making them an affordable and enjoyable way to spend time with your little ones.
So grab a paper plate, some glue, and a bit of imagination, and let your child’s creativity come to life in the form of adorable animal crafts!
