DLTK's Crafts for Kids
25 Easy Animal Paper Plate Crafts for Kids

Get ready to bring out the inner artist in your child with these 10 easy animal paper plate crafts inspired by DLTK's Crafts for Kids. These delightful projects are perfect for keeping little hands busy while encouraging creativity and learning about animals. The best part is that these crafts are simple and only require a few materials, which you likely already have at home.

 

Adorable Paper Plate Lion

Paper Plate Lion Craft

Paper Plate Lion Craft

Paper Plate Lion Craft

Roar with excitement as your child creates this cute paper plate lion. This easy craft is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, and helps them learn about the king of the jungle.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Cut a circle from yellow construction paper and glue it to the center of the paper plate.
  2. Cut several strips of orange and brown construction paper and glue them around the edge of the plate, forming the lion's mane.
  3. Optional: You can curl the constuction paper pieces around a pencil.
  4. Glue googly eyes onto the yellow circle.
  5. Cut a small triangle from brown construction paper for the nose, and glue it below the eyes.
  6. Draw a mouth and whiskers with a black marker.

Paper Plate Lion Craft with Free Printable Template

 

 

Charming Paper Plate Cow

Paper Plate Cow Craft

Paper Plate Cow Craft

Moo-ve over boredom and make way for this charming paper plate cow. This craft is perfect for preschoolers learning about farm animals.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Cut several irregular shapes from black construction paper for the cow's spots and glue them onto the paper plate or use a marker or paint to color them on.
  2. Cut two ear shapes from white or black construction paper and glue them to the top of the plate.
  3. Glue googly eyes below the ears.
  4. Cut a small oval from black construction paper for the nose/mouth muzzle and glue it below the eyes.

Paper Plate Cow Craft with Free Printable Template

 

 

Cheeky Paper Plate Monkey

Paper Plate monkey Craft

Paper Plate monkey Craft

Paper Plate monkey Craft

Swing into fun with this cheeky paper plate monkey, perfect for little ones learning about the rainforest.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Cut a circle from brown construction paper and glue it to the center of the paper plate.
  2. Cut two larger circles from beige construction paper and glue them on either side of the brown circle to create the monkey's face.
  3. Cut two smaller white circles for the eyes and glue them onto the beige circles.
  4. Glue googly eyes onto the white circles.
  5. Cut a small oval from beige construction paper for the nose and glue it below the eyes.
  6. Draw a mouth with a black marker.

Paper Plate Monkey Craft with Free Printable Template

 

 

Cute Paper Plate Elephant

elephant paper plate

 

elephant paper plate

Stomp through the jungle with this cute paper plate elephant, perfect for children who love these gentle giants.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Cut a large gray construction paper circle and glue it to the center of the paper plate.
  2. Cut two gray ear shapes and glue them to the sides of the plate.
  3. Cut a long, thin strip of gray construction paper for the trunk and glue it below the circle.
  4. Glue googly eyes onto the gray circle.
  5. Cut two small white tusks and glue them on either side of the trunk.
  6. Alternatively, you can use two small paper plates as the ears and use construction paper to create the head, trunk and body!

Paper Plate Elephant Craft with Free Printable Template

 

 

Delightful Paper Plate Duck

Paper Plate Duck Craft or Mask

duck paper plate craft

 

Paper Plate Duck Craft

 

Paper Plate Duck Craft

Quack up some fun with this delightful paper plate duck, perfect for kids who love pond-dwelling creatures.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Paint the paper plate yellow and let it dry or cut pieces of yellow construction paper and glue them all over the paper plate to cover it.
  2. Alternatively, you can leave the paper plate white -- ducks come in many different colours including white.
  3. Cut two wing shapes from yellow construction paper and glue them to the sides of the plate.
  4. Cut a large orange rounded triangle for the beak and glue it below the eyes.
  5. Glue googly eyes above the beak.
  6. Cut two webbed feet from orange construction paper and glue them to the bottom of the plate.

Paper Plate Duck Craft with Free Printable Template

 

 

Chill Paper Plate Chicken

Paper Plate Chicken Craft

 

Paper Plate Chicken Craft

 

Paper Plate Chicken Craft

 

Paper Plate Chicken Craft

Cluck up some fun with this delightful paper plate chicken, perfect for kids who love farmyard animals.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Cut two wing shapes from white construction paper and glue them to the sides of the plate.
  2. Cut a small orange triangle for the beak and glue it below the eyes.
  3. Glue googly eyes above the beak.
  4. Cut two feet from orange construction paper and glue them to the bottom of the plate.
  5. Alternative Chicken Paper Plate Craft Option: trace a hand on red construction paper and glue it to the top of the plate as the comb.
    • Glue two googly eyes in the center and a triangle orange beak underneath to finish the head.
    • Glue two orange construction paper feet to the bottom.
    • Trace two handprints onto white construction paper. Cut them out and glue them to the sides of the plate as the wings.

Paper Plate Chicken Craft with Free Printable Template

 

 

Friendly Paper Plate Frog

Paper Plate Frog Craft

 

Paper Plate Frog Craft

 

frog paper plate craft

 

Paper Plate Frog Craft

Hop into creativity with this friendly paper plate frog, perfect for kids who love amphibians.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Paint the paper plate green and let it dry.
  2. Cut two frog leg shapes from green construction paper and glue them to the sides of the plate.
  3. Cut two large white circles for the eyes and glue them to the top of the plate.
  4. Glue googly eyes onto the white circles.
  5. Cut a long, thin strip of red construction paper for the tongue and glue it below the eyes.

Paper Plate Frog Craft with Free Printable Template

 

 

Playful Paper Plate Panda

Paper Plate Panda CraftSnuggle up to this playful paper plate panda, perfect for kids who love these adorable bears.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Cut a circle from white construction paper and glue it to the center of the paper plate.
  2. Cut two black circles for the ears and glue them to the top of the plate.
  3. Cut two smaller black circles for the eyes and glue them onto the white circle.
  4. Glue googly eyes onto the black circles.
  5. Cut a small black oval for the nose and glue it below the eyes.
  6. Draw a mouth with a black marker.

Paper Plate Panda Craft with Free Printable Template

 

 

Terrific Paper Plate Turtle

Paper Plate Turtle Craft

 

Paper Plate Turtle Craft

Dive into fun with this terrific paper plate turtle, perfect for kids who love these slow-moving reptiles.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Paint the paper plate green and let it dry.
  2. Cut a number of squares from brown construction paper and glue them to the center of the plate, forming the turtle's shell.
  3. Cut four leg shapes from green construction paper and glue them to the sides of the plate.
  4. Cut a small head shape from green construction paper and glue it to the top of the plate.
  5. Glue googly eyes onto the head.
  6. Draw a mouth with a black marker.

 

Jolly Paper Plate Jellyfish

jellyfish paper plate craftSwim through an underwater adventure with this jolly paper plate jellyfish, perfect for kids who love ocean creatures.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Cut the painted plate in half.
  2. Paint a half paper plate in your child's favorite color and let it dry.
  3. Cut several lengths of colorful ribbons or yarn for the tentacles and glue them to the bottom of the jellyfish's body.
  4. Glue googly eyes onto the body.

 

Perky Paper Plate Penguin

Paper Plate Penguin Craft

 

Paper Plate Penguin Craft

Waddle into fun with this perky paper plate penguin, perfect for kids who love these charming birds.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Cut a large oval from white construction paper and glue it to the center of the paper plate.
  2. Cut two wing shapes from black construction paper and glue them to the sides of the plate.
  3. Cut a small triangle from orange construction paper for the beak and glue it onto the white oval.
  4. Glue googly eyes above the beak.
  5. Cut two webbed feet from orange construction paper and glue them to the bottom of the plate.

 

Whimsical Paper Plate Whale

paper plate whale craftDive into the deep with this whimsical paper plate whale, perfect for kids who love marine life.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Paint your paper plate blue or grey.
  2. Cut about 1/5 of the plate off the bottom.
  3. Cut a triangle tail shape from blue construction paper and glue it to one end of the paper plate. Glue the small leftover piece of the plate onto the tip of the triangle to form the fin on the tail.
  4. Glue a googly eye onto the white circle.
  5. Cut a small water spout shape from blue or white construction paper and glue it to the top of the plate, above the eyes.
  6. Draw a mouth below the eye.

Paper Plate Whale Craft with Free Printable Template

 

 

Radiant Paper Plate Rainbow Fish

Paper Plate Rainbow Fish Craft

 

Paper Plate Rainbow Fish Craft

 

Paper Plate Rainbow Fish Craft

 

Paper Plate Rainbow Fish Craft

Create a colorful underwater friend with this radiant paper plate rainbow fish, perfect for kids who love vibrant sea creatures.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Paint the paper plate in your child's favorite color and let it dry.
  2. Cut several scales from foil or shiny paper in different colors.
  3. Glue the scales onto the painted plate in a layered pattern to create the fish's body.
  4. Cut a tail and fin from the foil or construction paper and glue them to the plate.
  5. Glue googly eyes onto the fish's body.

 

Spiral Paper Plate Snake

spiral snake paper plate craftSlither into creativity with this snazzy paper plate snake, perfect for kids who love reptiles.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Paint the paper plate in your child's favorite color and let it dry.
  2. Cut the painted plate into a spiral shape, starting from the outer edge and working your way to the center.
  3. Glue googly eyes onto the head (the center of the spiral).
  4. Cut a small forked tongue from red construction paper and glue it to the head, just below the eyes.

 

Majestic Paper Plate Owl

Paper Plate Owl Craft

 

Paper Plate Owl Craft

Hoot and holler with this majestic paper plate owl, perfect for kids who love nocturnal creatures.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Paint the paper plate beige.
  2. Cut an oval from brown construction paper and glue it to the top of the paper plate as the head.
  3. Cut two large teardrop shapes from brown or orange construction paper for the wings and glue them to the sides of the plate.
  4. Glue googly eyes onto the brown circle.
  5. Cut a small triangle from orange construction paper for the beak and glue it below the eyes.
  6. Cut two orange construction paper feet and glue them to the bottom of the plate.

 

Lovable Paper Plate Fox

Paper Plate Fox CraftSneak into fun with this lovable paper plate fox, perfect for kids who love these clever creatures.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Paint the paper plate orange and let it dry.
  2. Cut a large circle from white construction paper and glue it to the center of the plate.
  3. Paper Plate Fox CraftCut two triangle shapes from orange construction paper for the ears and glue them to the top of the plate.
  4. Add inner ear details with white construction paper.
  5. Glue googly eyes onto the white circle.
  6. Cut a small black triangle for the nose and glue it below the eyes.
  7. Draw a mouth with a black marker.

Paper Plate Fox Craft with Free Printable Template

 

 

Charming Paper Plate Ladybug

paper plate dragonBring some luck and charm with this adorable paper plate ladybug, perfect for kids who love these tiny insects.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Paint the paper plate red and let it dry.
  2. Paint a black semicircle on one edge of the plate for the ladybug's head.
  3. Glue googly eyes onto the black semicircle.
  4. Cut several small circles from black construction paper and glue them onto the red part of the plate as spots.
  5. Cut two antennae from black construction paper and glue them to the back of the head.

Paper Plate Ladybug Craft with Free Printable Template

 

 

Playful Paper Plate Koala

Paper Plate Koala CraftCuddle up with this playful paper plate koala, perfect for kids who love these fuzzy marsupials.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Cut a circle from gray construction paper and glue it to the center of the paper plate.
  2. Cut two large ear shapes from gray construction paper and glue them to the top of the plate.
  3. Add inner ear details with white construction paper.
  4. Glue googly eyes onto the gray circle.
  5. Cut a small black oval for the nose and glue it below the eyes.
  6. Draw a mouth with a black marker.

Paper Plate Koala Craft with Free Printable Template

 

 

Dazzling Paper Plate Peacock

Paper Plate Peacock CraftCreate a colorful and dazzling paper plate peacock, perfect for kids who love these exotic birds.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Paint the paper plate with blue, green, and yellow paint, blending the colors to create a gradient effect. Let it dry.
  2. Cut a small head/body/neck shape from blue construction paper and glue it to the top of the plate. The shape of a peanut is perfect!
  3. Glue googly eyes onto the head.
  4. Cut a small beak shape from yellow construction paper and glue it below the eyes.
  5. Arrange the colored craft feathers on the back of the plate, fanning them out to create the peacock's tail. Glue them in place.
  6. Instead of using feathers, you can stamp fingerprints all over the plate to make a fingerprint tail!

Paper Plate Peacock Craft with Free Printable Template

 

 

Beautiful Butterfly Paper Plate Craft

Butterfly paper plate craftSpread your wings and fly with this beautiful butterfly paper plate craft, ideal for children of all ages.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Paint the paper plate in your child's favorite color and let it dry.
  2. Cut the paper plate down the middle into two equal pieces (half circles)
  3. Arrange the two pieces to form butterfly wings and glue them together.
  4. Decorate the wings with additional paint or stickers.
  5. Attach a tongue depressor or rectangle of cardboard to the center of the wings to create the butterfly's body.
  6. Glue pipecleaners or curls of paper to the top of the body to make the antennae.
  7. Glue googly eyes onto the body.

 

Paper Plate Cat Craft for Kids

Paper Plate Cat Craft

 

Paper Plate Cat Craft

 

Paper Plate Cat Craft

This paper plate cat craft is a fun and easy project for kids that can be done with simple materials found around the house. This craft is perfect for a rainy day or to keep kids entertained during a party. With some creativity and imagination, kids can create their own unique cat designs.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. (Optional) Paint the plate to create the cat of your color preference.
  2. Cut two small triangles from the construction paper for the cat's ears.
  3. Cut a small triangle from the pink or black construction paper for the cat's nose.
  4. Use the black marker to draw two eyes and a mouth on the paper plate.
  5. Glue the ears and nose onto the paper plate.
  6. Use the pencil to draw the cat's whiskers on the plate or cut some thin rectangles from construction paper and glue them on as whiskers.
  7. Let the glue dry and your paper plate cat is complete!

 

Paper Plate Dog Craft

paper plate dogThis paper plate dog craft is a fun and easy activity for kids of all ages. Kids can use their imagination and creativity to make their own unique dog designs using simple materials found around the house. This craft is perfect for a rainy day or to keep kids entertained during a party.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Cut two small circles from the white construction paper for the dog's eyes.
  2. Cut a small triangle from the brown construction paper for the dog's nose.
  3. Use the black marker to draw the dog's mouth on the paper plate.
  4. Glue the eyes and nose onto the paper plate.
  5. Cut two small triangles from the brown construction paper for the dog's ears and glue them onto the plate.
  6. Use the pencil to draw the dog's whiskers on the plate.
  7. Let the glue dry and your paper plate dog is complete!

Paper Plate Dog Craft with Free Printable Template

 

 

Paper Plate Parrot Craft

Paper Plate parrotThis paper plate parrot craft is a fun and colorful activity for kids of all ages. Kids can use their creativity and imagination to make their own unique parrot designs using simple materials found around the house. This craft is perfect for a rainy day or to keep kids entertained during a party.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Cut a small triangle from the yellow construction paper for the parrot's beak.
  2. Cut two small circles from the white construction paper for the parrot's eyes.
  3. Use the black marker to draw the pupils on the eyes and draw the parrot's mouth on the plate.
  4. Glue the beak and eyes onto the paper plate.
  5. Cut two wings from the red construction paper and two tail feathers from the blue and green construction paper.
  6. Glue the wings and tail feathers onto the plate.
  7. Use the pencil to draw the parrot's feet on the plate.
  8. Let the glue dry and your paper plate parrot is complete!

Paper Plate Parrot Craft with Free Printable Template

 

 

Rabbit Paper Plate Craft

Paper Plate Rabbit

 

Paper Plate Rabbit

Rabbits are adorable animals that are loved by many. Kids love to create crafts that resemble their favorite animals, and with this paper plate rabbit craft, they can make their own cute bunny to display on their shelves. This craft is not only easy to make, but it also requires only a few materials that can be found around the house.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Cut two bunny ear shapes from white paper
  2. Cut out two pink inner ears and glue them to the white ears.
  3. Cut out a small pink oval for the nose.
  4. Glue the nose to the center of the paper plate.
  5. Glue the googly eyes above the nose.
  6. Cut out two small teeth from white paper and glue them under the nose.
  7. Use a black marker to draw the mouth and whiskers on the bunny's face.

Paper Plate Rabbit Craft with Free Printable Template

 

 

Cute Lamb Paper Plate Craft

Paper Plate Lamb

 

Paper Plate Lamb

 

Paper Plate Lamb

This easy and fun lamb paper plate craft is perfect for kids of all ages! With just a few simple materials, your child can create their very own adorable lamb face that they'll love to display.

Materials:

Instructions:

  1. Cut out two small circles from the black construction paper for the lamb's eyes.
  2. Cut out two small oval shapes from the pink construction paper for the lamb's ears.
  3. Glue the eyes and ears onto the covered paper plate.
  4. Cut out a small triangle from the black construction paper for the lamb's nose and glue it onto the plate just below the eyes.
  5. Use a marker to draw on the lamb's mouth and any additional details you'd like.
  6. Stick cotton balls all over the plate around the construction paper pieces you added.
  7. Let the glue dry completely and your lamb paper plate craft is ready to display!

Paper Plate Lamb Craft with Free Printable Template

 

 

These easy animal paper plate crafts from DLTK's Crafts for Kids are perfect for keeping your little ones entertained while also sparking their creativity. With just a few simple materials, you and your child can create adorable animal friends that they can proudly display in their room. So go ahead, gather your supplies, and embark on a crafting adventure with your child today!

 

More Paper Plate Crafts >

 

More Paper Plate Animal Crafts >