Paper plates are one of the items in our homes that have so many incredible uses that I’m sure most of us either under utilize or just don’t know about! One of those uses is to craft with them! There are so many great crafts that you can make with your kids using the paper plates you already have in your cabinet. Next time you need some easy kid crafting inspiration, try one, or more, of these easy paper plate crafts.
1. Dream Catchers
Dream catchers are such a popular decoration item right now, so why not try your hand at making a cute one with your kiddos using paper plates? You can get as fancy as you want with beads and fathers, or simply just use yarn and plates. Either way it’ll turn out adorable and you can hang it up in your house to show off to all your friends and your kid’s friends.
(For more awesome kid craft ideas as well as how to inspire your child to be creative check out Red Ted Art).
2. Bumble Bee
Bumble bees definitely are very scary for kids in real life, but a paper plate bumble bee is incredibly cute! Your kids will love how adorable this bumble bee looks when they’re all finished painting, cutting, coloring, and gluing this fun craft together! It’s a simple craft, but one that they will love to make.
(Free Kids Crafts is an awesome website dedicated to posting one free craft for your kiddos every day of the year! Check them out if you need some craft ideas).
3. Fruity Plates
How fun and bright are these cute fruit slices made out of paper plate? They are the perfect craft for spring and summer as we tend to eat so many refreshing fruits around this time. You can take this time to teach your child how important it is to eat healthy and that fruit is a great food to eat because it’s healthy for your body.
(All Free Kids Crafts has wonderful crafts for kids of all ages that are fun and easy to make).
Source: happinessishomemade.net
4. Rainbow Plates
For some reason all kids love rainbows. It must be all the pretty colors combined together that make it look so beautiful in their eyes. This is the perfect craft to teach your child the colors of the rainbow and the order that they go in. Even after the rainbow is made and hanging on your fridge, you can continue to teach them and quiz them on their colors.
(Over at Happiness is Homemade you’ll find lots of crafts for kids and adults, home decor inspiration, recipes, gift ideas and more).
5. Wind Spinners
What better craft for your kids to do than one that they can put up outside and watch blow in the wind? They’ll love watching their creation come to life as it moves and winds through the air. Let your kiddos paint or color whatever they want on their wind spinner, then cut it in a spiral shape and hang it up outside. Then, watch your child’s eyes light up as they watch it swift and sway in the wind.
(For kids crafts as well as games, workbooks, and other learning and teaching tools for kids, head over to Education.com).
6. Tambourines
Why is it that kids love anything that makes loud noises and drives us mommies crazy? If you haven’t already gone insane hearing those noisy toys, let your child create this paper plate tambourine. You may even get to see them dance their feet off as they play their new musical instrument. It may make some noise, but seeing their joy and excitement while they play their new instrument will make it worth it.
(For kids crafts as well as games, workbooks, and other learning and teaching tools for kids, head over to Education.com).
7. Fun Hats
Hats are an awesome prop for any occasion: parties, holidays, birthdays, etc. This website has a tutorial for almost any hat you could ever imagine making for any of those occasions. Now you’ll never have to send your child to school on a holiday without wearing something fun and unique.
(Alpha Mom has great parenting ideas, pregnancy tips, family activities, and much more for you to check out).
Source: terrific2s.blogspot.ca
8. Pirate Plates
Arrrrrren’t these paper plate pirate faces too cute for words? These would be perfect for a pirate themed child’s room, party, or just because your little one loves pirates so much and wants to make one. Get creative while making them with your child and only speak in “pirate talk.” That’ll sure get you both laughing and having a great time.
(For lots of crafts and activities to do with young children, head over to Terrific2s blog).
9. Flying Owl
Owls have become one of the most popular animals used in home and party decor, clothes, and accessories. It’s probably because they are so incredibly cute! Your kids will love making this adorable big eyed owl. After they make it, they can play with it or you can hang it from the ceiling and let it fly.
(Paper Craft Style has all the craft ideas you could ever imagine using paper for both kids and adults).
10. School of Fish
Since you’ll probably be visiting some form of body of water this summer during the heat waves, you can take this opportunity to make a fish craft with your child and teach them about fish, the ocean, or any body of water. They’ll love learning as well as painting the fish bright fun colors.
(Paper Craft Style has all the craft ideas you could ever imagine using paper for both kids and adults).
11. Bird Nest
Nothing is cuter than baby animals and this baby bird nest is no exception. The best part is that the birds are removable and your little ones can play with them in and out of the nest. They can pretend to fly the birds, feed the birds, or simply bob around in their warm cozy nest.
(Parents is a great online magazine with articles and ideas on pregnancy, family fun, health, kid crafts and so much more).
12. Pretty Paper Purse
Oh how perfect is this craft for a little girl? Little girls all love carrying purses around and I guarantee they would love to make their own. They can make it any color they want, add any details they want to it, then prance around proudly while they carry it. They can even make a new one whenever they get sick of the one they’ve already made, because let’s be honest, girls need more than one purse!
(Parents is a great online magazine with articles and ideas on pregnancy, family fun, health, kid crafts and so much more).
13. Pink Piggy
Animal crafts are always fun to make, including this adorable pink pig. All you need is some paper plates, some paper, and glue! If you don’t already have everything pink, paint it! Kids all love to paint, so I’m sure they won’t mind. Have some fun and sing “Old McDonald” while crafting, make pig noises, or teach them about farms.
(For all kids crafts under the sun for holidays, seasons, school, and much more head over to Busy Bee Kids Crafts).
14. Banjo
It seems like one thing that kids all seem to love is music, and having a musical instrument to play will definitely be a highlight of their day. Making this banjo where they can strum the rubber bands and make music will make them feel like a rockstar! They’ll probably end up performing for you and your family, so be ready to cheer them on.
(Check out the Crafts for Kids Blog for all the best kids crafts ideas you’ll ever need).
Source: iheartcraftythings.com
15. Walrus
A fun mammal craft to make would be this adorable walrus because sea creatures are so intriguing to little ones. This would be a great craft to make either before or after visiting the aquarium where they can see the real Walrus come to life. Teach them what noise the walrus makes and you both can practice your best walrus noise.
(I Heart Crafty Things is a wonderful website dedicated to crafts for all ages as well as great DIY projects).
16. Ninja Turtle
If you’ve got a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle lover at your house, this craft is a must for them to make. If you want to make it even more fun for them, you can cut out the eyes instead of painting them on and make a mask for your child to wear! I guarantee they’ll love wearing it as they pretend to fight with their pretend nunchucks.
(For more craft ideas for kids as well as free printables, and DIY ideas check out I Heart Arts N Crafts).
17. Animal Masks
Other great masks to make for your kids are animal masks! Kids love wearing masks, putting on costumes, and using their imagination that they are a different creature in a whole new world. I guarantee they’ll love making a mask of their favorite animal so they can play with their siblings and friends.
(For tips and advice on parenting, pregnancy, lifestyle and beauty, check out mom.me).
Source: mrsthompsonstreasures.com
18. Fish Bowl
If you’ve got a fish lover on your hands and don’t want to have live fish in your home, then let them create their own fish bowl from paper plates and goldfish. They can include whatever accessories they want for the inside of the fish bowl and they can put as many fish as their heart desires in as well. After they’ve made it you can encourage them to take care of their fish and to make sure that they’ve fed their little friends. It’ll be a great learning tool for them to learn how to be responsible for a pet.
(For inspiring ways to teach your kids, head over to Mrs. Thompson’s Treasures where you’ll find teaching tools and fun activities for your little ones).
Source: iheartcraftythings.com
19. Spider Mania
Your bug-loving child will love making this creepy crawly spider out of paper plates and pip cleaners. They can be as creative as they want by making them fun colors, patterns, or giving them a million crazy eyes. You can hang them on the wall or better yet from the ceiling so they have a web to hang from. It would also make a great Halloween craft for your child to do as well.
(I Heart Crafty Things is a wonderful website dedicated to crafts for all ages as well as great DIY projects).
Source: daisycottagedesigns.net
20. Little Sunshine
How adorable is this happy little sun and rainbow craft? All you need are some paper plates, paint or markers, glue, and some yarn! If you don’t have yarn, you can use colored stripes of paper for the rainbow. This would be another fun one to hang up outside to watch the rainbow strings move in the wind. I guarantee it’ll make your little one smile.
(Daisy Cottage Designs has lots of great kid craft ideas, recipes, printables, and so much more.)