Have fun making these paper plate crafts with a few everyday craft supplies to create your kids’ favorite animals.
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If you’ve got a few leftover plates from a party or a big stack in the pantry, try a few of these paper plate crafts! We’ve collected the best easy ideas for kids using everyday supplies that you probably already have at home.
Craft up a homemade zoo, farm, safari, or jungle with tons of animals from tiny bugs to giant mammals. Grab your kid scissors, school glue, and washable paints to make a few of these fun summer crafts.
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Paper plate craft ideas
Lion
Make a paper plate lion with Modern Homestead Mama that’s simple and adorable. The round shape of the plate makes a perfect mane!
Elephant
Have kids practice using scissors and craft glue to make this friendly-looking paper plate elephant over at Glued To My Crafts.
Tiger
Grab a template from Simple Everyday Mom to make this precious paper tiger face. Then find several more creative activities to go along with it on her site.
Giraffe
Painting a paper plate giraffe, like Crafty Morning, is a great hands-on activity to introduce animal patterns and camouflage to kids.
Crocodile
The best feature of this silly paper crocodile made by Easy Peasy and Fun is its giant mouth and teeth.
Leopard
Make a felt leopard on a paper plate and decorate the background to look like its natural habitat with this clever tutorial from The Inspiration Edit.
Sheep
Over at Red Ted Art, make a rocking plate sheep that doubles as a toy. After the glue is dry, it can rock back and forth!
Cow
Every farm needs a few cows like this pom-pom painted cow craft from Crafts on Sea.
Pig
Whether you’re reading a story about Elephant and Piggie or learning about life on the farm, this paper plate piggie from Living Life and Learning is the perfect kids’ activity.
Llama
Llamas maybe be super trendy, but they’re also a really unique farm animal. Make your own paper version with this paper plate llama at Baker Ross.
Goat
Over at Education.com kids can learn how to make a paper goat mask, inspired by the story The Three Billy Goats Gruff.
Turkey
Try this creative variation on the classic hand turkey craft from Mommy Evolution. It’s fun any time of year!
Jellyfish
Visit Non-Toy Gifts for a fun way to make a paper plate jellyfish with long trailing tentacles. This is a great activity for practicing fine motor skills.
Whale
Add this simple paper whale to your ocean life or under the sea play ideas, via In The Playroom.
Crab
Technically this crab craft uses a paper bowl, but we think it’s too cute to skip! This idea from Oh My Creative would be perfect for getting kids excited about the beach.
Bee
There are tons of motor skills for toddlers to practice while making a paper plate bee, via Laughing Kids Learn.
Butterfly
These colorful butterflies made by Design Improvised use beautiful printed plate designs, but you could also have kids decorate their own.
Ladybug
This ladybug craft by Crafts and Printables is a fun way to teach kids about bugs and nature. It also helps them develop their fine motor skills while having loads of fun.
Koala
The paper koalas on the Lotta Magazine blog include a momma koala snuggling a baby one.
Panda bear
The paper plate panda bear at I Heart Crafty Things is adorable, hanging from a tree branch.
Bear
Everyone’s favorite little teddy bear is the perfect introduction to nature. Make a Winnie the Pooh-inspired paper bear craft with Jinxy Kids in yellow or any color.
Cat
Decorate this tissue paper cat to look like your own pet or imagine a kitty in any colors and patterns, via Our Kid Things.
Dog
The tutorial for a paper plate dog over at Super Simple is easy to follow and has lots of ideas for customizing it to look like your own pet.
Bunny
This cute bunny mask was designed for Easter, but your kids will love dressing up for imaginative play any time of year.
Fish
Do your kids like the Rainbow Fish book? Make your own rainbow fish (or any color combo) at home with this paper plate fish craft at Hunny I’m Home.
Turtle
Kids who like turtles will have so much fun making this paper plate turtle with Simplistically Living. For extra fun, create a little habitat for your paper pet to live in!
Duck
For the paper plate duck pond over at Messy Momma Crafts, the ducks are attached to craft sticks to make tiny puppets. Decorate your ducks and put on a show!
Orca whale
The orca, or killer whale, is a cold-climate animal that many kids recognize. Make a paper orca at This Crafty Family.
Polar bear
This paper plate polar bear from Kids’ Craft Room doubles as a twirler! Place it near an air vent indoors or where the wind will gently blow it outside.
Penguin
Make a family of paper plate penguins with this fun tutorial from Our Potluck Family.
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