DLTK's Crafts for Kids
School Bus Paper Plate Craft
Creating a paper plate school bus is a fun and simple craft activity perfect for kids. Here's a step-by-step guide to making your own:
Materials:
- 1 paper plate (oval-shaped or half of a circle-shaped)
- Yellow paint and a paintbrush
- Black construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- Black marker (optional)
Instructions:
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Prepare the Paper Plate:
- Start by painting your paper plate yellow. If you're using a standard round plate, you can cut it in half to create a semi-circle shape that resembles the side profile of a school bus. Allow the paint to dry completely before moving on to the next step.
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Cut Out the Windows:
- From the black construction paper, cut out three to five squares to serve as the windows of the bus. The size of the squares can vary depending on the size of your paper plate, but they should be proportionate to the bus's body.
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Create the Wheels:
- Using the same black construction paper, cut out two circles to represent the wheels of the bus. Make sure they are large enough to look balanced with the size of the bus. You can trace a small circle using a pill bottle or just cut it out freehand.
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Add the Bus Stripe:
- Cut a thin rectangle from the black construction paper to serve as the stripe running along the length of the bus. The length should be just short of the paper plate's edge to edge. Alternatively, you can draw the stripe using a black marker for a simpler approach.
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Assemble the Bus:
- Begin by gluing the black squares onto the yellow plate to form the windows. Space them evenly along the straight edge of the semi-circle or the upper half of the oval shape, depending on the plate you're using.
- Next, glue the wheels onto the bottom edge of the plate, making sure they are aligned and proportionate to the bus's body.
- Finally, adhere the black stripe (or draw it on with a marker) just below the windows to complete the bus's classic design.
Your paper plate school bus is now ready! This craft is not only enjoyable but also a great opportunity for kids to work on their fine motor skills and creativity.
