Paper Plate Crafts for Kids: 15 Easy Ideas
Masks, animals, suns, clocks and more: cheap, fast paper plate crafts for preschool and up.
October 15, 2026 · 4 min read
Paper plates are one of the most versatile craft materials around. They're cheap, sturdy, round and easy to cut, so they can become masks, animals, wreaths, instruments and more. Here are fifteen paper plate crafts, with steps and tips for different ages.
What you'll need
- Paper plates (uncoated ones are easiest to paint and color)
- Paint, crayons or markers
- Scissors, glue and tape
- Colored paper, tissue paper and cotton wool
- Optional: googly eyes, pipe cleaners, string, lolly sticks, ribbon
Animals
- Lion. Paint the plate yellow, cut orange and brown paper strips for the mane and glue them around the edge. Add a face.
- Fish. Cut a triangle out of the plate to make a mouth and glue the triangle to the back as a tail. Decorate with scales. Color some ocean pages for inspiration.
- Ladybird. Paint a plate red, add black spots and a black paper head.
- Owl. Fold the sides of a plate in to make wings, add big eyes and a beak.
- Turtle. Paint a plate green and add a head, legs and a patterned shell.
- Snake spiral. Draw a spiral on the plate, color it, then cut along the line. Hang it from the center and watch it twirl.
Masks
- Animal masks. Cut eye holes, decorate as any animal and tape a lolly stick to the bottom. See our animal coloring pages for ideas.
- Superhero masks. Cut a plate into a mask shape and decorate it with stars and lightning bolts.
- Monster masks. Add wild hair, horns and lots of eyes.
Seasonal crafts
- Spring sun. Paint the plate yellow and glue on handprint rays.
- Autumn wreath. Cut out the center and glue on real or paper leaves. See fall crafts for kids.
- Snowman. Use two or three plates stacked, add a hat and scarf. See winter crafts.
- Pumpkin. Paint orange and add a happy face. See Halloween crafts.
Things that move or make sounds
- Tambourine. Put dried beans or rice between two plates, staple them together all around and decorate. Shake!
- Clock. Write numbers 1–12 around the edge, add paper hands with a split pin in the middle and practise telling time.
Bonus ideas
- Rainbow. Cut a plate in half, paint rainbow stripes and add cotton-wool clouds.
- Sewing plate. Punch holes around the edge and thread wool through for lacing practice.
- Spinner game. Divide a plate into sections, add a paper clip and pencil spinner, and use it for games or math.
- Bowl or basket. Cut slits around the edge, overlap them and staple to make a little bowl.
Paper plate crafts by age
Ages 2–3: painting plates, sticking tissue paper and cotton wool, and tambourines.
Ages 4–5: animals, masks, suns and wreaths, with a grown-up cutting tricky parts.
Ages 6–8: spirals, clocks, spinners and sewing plates.
Ages 9+: more detailed designs, combining several plates into bigger projects like a solar system mobile.
Learning through paper plates
- Math: paper plates are great for fractions. Cut one in halves and another in quarters. See our fractions worksheets.
- Time: make clocks.
- Science: make a sundial, or a seasons wheel.
- Storytelling: use plate masks to act out a favorite story.
Tips
- Paint can make plates soggy. Use thicker plates, or dry them flat.
- Let paint dry before adding paper and glue.
- Make holes with a hole punch rather than scissors.
- Uncoated plates take paint and glue best.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using shiny coated plates. Paint and crayons don't stick well.
- Too much paint. A thin layer dries faster and keeps the plate flat.
- Cutting the eye holes too small. Test masks on your child before decorating.
Frequently asked questions
What's the easiest paper plate craft for toddlers?
A painted sun or a tissue-paper collage on a plate.
How do I make a paper plate mask stay on?
Tape a lolly stick to hold it, or punch holes at the sides and tie elastic.
Can paper plates be used for learning?
Yes. Clocks, fraction plates, spinners and lacing plates are all great learning tools.
A paper plate animal zoo
Make a whole zoo over a week:
- Monday: lion with a paper strip mane
- Tuesday: fish with a triangle tail
- Wednesday: ladybird with black spots
- Thursday: owl with folded wings
- Friday: turtle with a patterned shell
Display them on a wall with signs and "feeding times." Children can give tours and share facts about each animal.
How do I attach parts to paper plates?
Glue sticks work for paper. Use PVA glue or tape for heavier items like pom-poms, and staples for strips and ears.
Can paper plates be painted with watercolors?
Yes, on uncoated plates. Use a little water so the plate doesn't get soggy.
Where can I find uncoated paper plates?
Most supermarkets and craft shops sell plain uncoated plates in packs.
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