Paper plate crafts for kids of all ages

Need some easy crafts that are also great fun? Check out this collection of fantastic paper plate crafts for kids of all ages. Paper plates are super fun to craft with and so versatile. An inpensive and eco friendly craft material to use in the home or in classrooms! Just head to the pantry, grab those paper plates and give it a go!

Have some paper plates left over from your summer BBQ? Perfect.. let’s get crafting with these wonderful paper plate crafts for kids! So many super cute ideas and easy step-by-step tutorials.

In this collection we have a number of fantastic paper plate animals – kids seem to LOVE these the most, but we also have some other easy peasy paper plate crafts too. Lots of amazing ideas for every occassion and kids of different ages and abilities. Who KNEW you could make so many cool things from a disposable paper plate!

Supplies needed for paper plate crafting

Supplies will vary depending on the paper plate craft that you end up going for.. however, broadling speaking this is what you will need. As mentioned, PLEASE do avoid plastic plates – as they are not very environmentally friendly.. and also they are harder to work with – not as easy to cut or paint! But please, do consider the environment in all your kids’ activities!

• Disposable paper plates (please avoid plastic paper plates – they are so bad for the environment
• Paints (or you can use colored paper plates)
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Pens/ Markers/ Crayons
• Embellishments such as googly eyes, extra card or feathers

The crafts shared here today, all use the “standard” disposable paper plate made from light card stock. Of course you can work with different sizes, as there is lots of fun to be had by switching out the size. Work with what you already have to hand.

The great thing is, that these crafts don’t really need a template. They are fun and easy crafts for kids!

Let’s take a look at these great ideas.

Paper Plate Crafts for Kids

Paper plate weaving flowers

I know I normally start with the toddlers and preschoolers… but I love these paper plate weaving flowers so much, that I simply have to kick this paper plate crafts for kids collection off with these first! They are a wonderful one for older kids to practice their fine motor skills with (as well as their cutting skills). The key to this weaving project, is an ODD number of petals! These would look lovely in different colors too and are a great way to use up odds and ends of yarn and wool.

Paper plate rainbow

This paper plate rainbow is simply so cheerful and so irristible. Kids will love making these and they are a wonderful way to decorate classrooms or kids’ bedrooms too. The peaceful nest makes a really sweet and simple one. We also make a fun one as a rainbow paper plate tambourine for St Patrick’s Day!

Paper plate bunny and lamb

We have a series of paper plate crafts that “rock” – a great way to make use of the disposable plates shape, by folding it in half… Toddlers and preschoolers will adore them all. We particurlarly love the – rocking paper plate bunny, rocking paper plate lamb and rocking paper plate submarine. SO CUTE!!! And great fun to play with. You can use pens, stickers, cotton wool, shredded paper and tissue paper to decorate your animals with!

Paper plate bird crafts

Paper plate birds are super fun to make too (especially as Paper Plate Easter projects). You can have a go at these adorable rocking paper plate birds or paper plate bird purses (same craft, just either cut the paper plate, then staple, or don’t!), complete with googly eyes, feathers and beaks… or check outhe paper plate weaving birds. Great for those fine motor skills when working with toddlers and preschoolers! Go wild.. you can even add some glitter if you wish. Great fun!

Penguin paper plate crafts

Whilst on the top of birds.. paper plates make a great penguin craft too! Our one pot family has this cutest folder paper plate penguin. So fun and so easy peasy to make.

Paper Plate Kiwi Bird Craft

How about this cute Kiwi Craft?! One for our New Zealand friends or anyone learning about the country. It is super cute and easy to make and comes with lots of Kiwi Bird Facts too!

Lion paper plate crafts

Of course a paper plate lion is a MUST! The Joy of Sharing has a really cute and easy one. A great one for practicing those cutting skills and scissor skills. Toddlers will love this cute lion craft.

Snake paper plate crafts

Another great one for those scissors skills is this snake paper plate craft! Super easy and oh so cute. You can have fun with lots of different bright colors and also explore embellishments such as stickers or glitter. You can also have a go at bubble wrap printing or maybe add some pom poms? Love the googly eyes of course! Such great fun. Check out Six Clever Sisters.

Paper Plate Dinosaur

Or how about these this fabulous Paper Plate Dinosaur?! So fun!

Paper Plate Frogs

My favourite kind of paper plate frog, is the one, where the paper plate is folded in half to make a nice big wide mouth frog! I think that a clever way to use the paper plate’s basic shape and make something fun. Then all you need is a little bit of construction paper to add the frog’s big eyes and tongue. Make Film Play has a fun version of this!

Parrot paper plate crafts

Who doesn’t love a parrot with a lovely big beak. Such a gorgeous colorful parrot craft. I wonder what adventures this guy will be going on. Love the crinkly paper stripes tail – this could also be made from ribbons or whatever else you may have to hand Preschool Play & Learn shows us how to make him! If you are working with older kids, why not give this amazing toucan by Pink Stripey Socks a go. They are such fun things to make.

Paper plate fish craft

Fish crafts always make me think of oceans and fun summer crafting! Here is a delightful paper plate fish you can have a go at. Grab your scissors and glue stick and off you go! Made to be a Momma has an easy tutorial to follow.

Unicorn paper plates

Another paper plate craft to delight preschoolers and kindergartners – especially little girls – the paper plate unicorn. Nice and easy and yet oh so cute! Explore using different colors and embellishments to make your unicorns and you can even make a Valentines Unicorn craft too!

Polar bear paper plate crafts

If you are looking for winter crafts, then the polar bear paper plate is a must! There are few “types” of paper plate polar bears to choose from – some great sensory ones using cotton wool or shredded paper for the polar bear’s fur etc. But I rather like this one by A Dab of Glue.

So.. that brings me to the end of this paper plate crafts collection. Do let me know what you would like to see next.. maybe a sloth? A dinosaur? Or even a llama?

If you want to go more seasonal an dyou are looking for Christmas Paper Plate crafts or Halloween Paper Plate Crafts, we have a whole special collection for you to explore.

First up: Christmas Paper Plate Crafts

We love Christmas.. so if you are doing some Christmas Paper Plate Crafts, try these.. I particularly love the paper plate Christmas tree twirler.

Second: Halloween Paper Plate Crafts

We also have some adorable paper plate halloween crafts. The Frankenstein Purse is just ADORABLE and simply a MUST MAKE!

Valentine’s Paper Plate Crafts/ Mother’s Day Ideas

Yes really.. we have a paper plate craft for EVERY season.. including these fabulous Valentines Paper Plate crafts. Great fun. As many of them incorporate hearts, I think they would make sweet Mother’s Day ideas too!

Easter Paper Plate Crafts for Spring

We have touched on some of these Easter paper plate crafts already. I do love the cute woven chicks and rocking bunnies!