🎨 14 Paper Plate Crafts For Kids

Got paper plates and tiny humans? Perfect. These quick crafts turn rainy afternoons into mini art festivals with zero pressure and minimal mess. Grab markers, glue, and a snack you’ll immediately have to share.

1. Rainbow Spinner

Spin the color wheel and watch their eyes go wide. Kids color wedges, thread a string, and make a swirly rainbow blur.

• Use one plate, draw eight pie slices, color boldly.
• Punch two holes in the center for string, knot tight.
• Spin by pulling the string back and forth.

Pro tip Use markers plus a touch of metallic gel pen for serious shimmer.

It works because it mixes art with motion—instant wow with minimal supplies.

2. Animal Face Masks

From lions to pandas, the plate becomes a wild face. Elastic and imagination do the rest.

• Cut eye holes, draw a nose and whiskers.
• Glue on yarn whiskers, felt ears, and a pom-pom nose.
• Attach string or elastic to wear.

Pro tip Add craft sticks for a handheld version if elastic’s a drama queen.

Masks invite pretend play, so the craft turns into a show immediately.

3. Ocean Porthole

Peek into an undersea world without getting soggy. A blue backdrop makes fish pop.

• Paint plate rim silver or gray like a porthole.
• Glue blue paper inside, add paper fish, sequins bubbles.
• Dot “bolts” around the rim with a marker.

Pro tip Layer a piece of plastic wrap on top for a fake “glass” look.

It works because the frame focuses little eyes and keeps the scene tidy.

4. Sun and Moon Duo

Day and night on one plate, because balance. Half bright sun, half dreamy moon.

• Paint one half yellow with ray cutouts, the other half blue with stars.
• Add a sleepy moon face and sunny grin.
• Hang with string by a window.

Pro tip Use glitter glue sparingly for star sparkle without glitter explosions.

It sneaks in a mini science chat about day and night while staying cute.

5. Feed-the-Monster Game

Make a monster with a mouth that eats tokens. Toddlers love the chaos.

• Cut a big mouth slot in the plate.
• Decorate with googly eyes and paper teeth.
• Toss buttons or pom-poms into its mouth to “feed” it.

Pro tip Write numbers on tokens for sneaky counting practice.

It’s a craft plus a game—double win with zero extra setup.

6. Weather Wheel

Forecast fun. Kids spin to choose today’s weather like tiny meteorologists.

• Draw sections for sunny, rainy, cloudy, stormy, snowy.
• Stack two plates and connect with a paper fastener.
• Cut a window on the top plate to reveal one icon.

Pro tip Add texture: cotton ball clouds, foil lightning, tissue snow.

It makes routines fun—kids check the wheel every morning.

7. Flower Bouquet Wall Art

Turn plates into petals and your wall into spring. No watering required.

• Cut a plate into petal wedges, paint in bright colors.
• Glue petals around a circle center on another plate.
• Add pipe cleaner stems and leaves.

Pro tip Use cupcake liners as textured flower centers.

Layering builds fine motor skills and makes cheerful decor fast.

8. Dino Tail Puppet

Rawr energy without the cleanup. A wiggly tail on a stick is peak preschool comedy.

• Cut a long triangle tail from a plate.
• Decorate with painted scales and paper spikes.
• Tape to a craft stick for swishy action.

Pro tip Add a split pin joint to wiggle the tip.

Simple mechanics plus dinosaurs equals guaranteed giggles.

9. Space Rocket Window

Blastoff from the craft table. Kids build a rocket scene inside a framed plate.

• Cut out the plate center, save the rim as a frame.
• Glue a black paper circle behind it with star stickers.
• Add a paper rocket and tissue paper flames.

Pro tip Stick a small LED tealight behind for glow.

The frame makes a mini diorama—hello, instant storytelling.

10. Caterpillar Number Line

Math in disguise. Each plate circle becomes a segment to count and decorate.

• Cut several mini circles from plates.
• Number them 1–10 and tape into a line.
• Add a big head with pipe cleaner antennae.

Pro tip Use Velcro dots so kids can reorder the numbers.

Hands-on counting sticks better when it’s a cute bug.

11. Bird Nest Collage

Cozy nest vibes. Kids love gluing “twigs” and adopting a paper chick.

• Paint the plate brown and slice off the top to make a nest shape.
• Layer on shredded paper, yarn, and leaves.
• Add paper eggs or a chick peeking out.

Pro tip Crinkle paper strips first for better texture.

Nature-inspired textures keep hands busy and brains curious.

12. Spiral Snake Hanger

From flat plate to slinky reptile. Cut, color, and let it dangle.

• Draw a spiral on the back and cut along the line.
• Decorate with spots and stripes, add a forked tongue.
• Hang from the center with string.

Pro tip Color both sides so it looks good while spinning.

That simple spiral cut delivers instant 3D magic.

13. Clock Craft

Time to learn time. A classic that actually sticks.

• Number the plate like a clock face.
• Attach two cardstock hands with a paper fastener.
• Color-code hours and minutes.

Pro tip Add minute marks and practice “quarter past” with a game.

Kids love turning the hands, and that movement cements the concept.

14. Ice Cream Sundae Art

Zero-melt sundaes, zero sticky fingers. Stack scoops and sprinkle joy.

• Use a plate as the bowl, paint pastel swirls.
• Cut paper scoops and glue in layers with sequin sprinkles.
• Top with a red pom-pom cherry.

Pro tip Add puff paint “whipped cream” for 3D sweetness.

Food art is irresistible—kids design, compare, and then politely request real ice cream.

Conclusion

Paper plates are the MVPs of kid crafting—cheap, sturdy, and down for anything. These ideas blend art, play, and sneaky learning without draining your energy. Pick one, set out a few supplies, and watch the creative chaos turn into fridge-worthy masterpieces.