Porthole Scratch Art(Ages 5-11)
Create a sea-inspired masterpiece using materials you can find at home. The porthole transforms your wall into a window into the sea. Plus, you'll learn how to make your own scratch art surface. We made a bunch of portholes and hung them up so that the room looked like a submarine!
Paper Baskets(Ages 5-8)
Use paper plates or pretty paper for this traditional craft... then hang your baskets on the doorknobs of neighbors and friends on the morning of May first! Or use them anytime, to give flowers or hide a special gift.
Woodland Animal Masks(Ages 3-8)
Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! If you have paper plates, string, construction paper, safety scissors, and a pack of markers, colored pencils, or crayons, then you have everything you need to become your favorite animal.
Balloon Tennis(Ages 3-11)
Looking for something fun to do indoors? Let the balloon tennis tournament begin! All you need to start playing are a pair of rackets made from paper plates and popsicle sticks, and a balloon! Rumor has it this is how Nadal got his start.
Paper Plate Tambourine(Ages 3-8)
Rock out with this easy-to-craft tambourine! We recommend using a sturdy paper plate for maximum durability.
Paper Plate Math & Alphabet Game(Ages 3-8)
These spinning math & alphabet plates are easy to make, and a great way for younger kids to practice their math, reading, and writing!
Groundhog Sundial(Ages 5-8)
Originally developed for Groundhog's Day, this groundhog sundial is a fun, educational crafting project for any sunny day of the year! Print and color our Punxsutawney Phil cutout, or have fun creating your own cute critter to place atop the sundial.
Paper Plate Ring Toss(Ages 3-14)
If you’re looking for an easy-to-make afternoon activity that provides hours of fun, try this colorful paper plate ring toss!
Paper Plate Sea Animals(Ages 3-8)
These paper plate sea animals make a great art project for toddlers! All you need to get started are paper plates, scissors, and a pack of dot paints.
Crazy Bird Puppets(Ages 3-11)
These crazy bird puppets are outrageous and silly...and the more you use your imagination, the more personality your puppet will have!
Paper Plate Dreamcatchers(Ages 5-11)
Help your little one chase away bad dreams with this Native American craft project. Younger children will need parental assistance to tie knots while older children can do this craft on their own.
Not Your Average Paper Clock(Ages 5-8)
Teach your children how to tell time and read an analog clock with this handy-dandy DIY timepiece. Eat your heart out, Rolex.
Paper Plate Fraction Puzzles(Ages 5-11)
We had so much fun creating these paper plate puzzles together. The kids enjoyed making puzzles to challenge each other and I snuck in a little talk about fractions.
Flying Saucer(Ages 3-8)
The aliens have landed! All you need to make first contact with a flying saucer are a couple of paper plates, a tube of metallic silver paint, rhinestones, and a handful of glitter. Add a pair of fuzzy aliens, and you'll be ready for an afternoon of high flying fun!
Melted Crayon Planets(Ages 3-8)
Create colorful, textured planets that are out of this world by melting crayons over paper plates. A great way to teach your kids about the solar system while using up any worn down and broken crayons taking up space in your arts & crafts bin!
15 Crafty Ways to Play with Paper Plates
Look up in the sky, it's a frisbee! No, it's a flying saucer. Or is it a tambourine? What do these things have in common? They're all made from paper plates! In the right hands, the humble paper plate can be a gateway to hours of active, creative, and educational play for kids of all ages. Use them as a canvas to create colorful masks, crazy puppets, or dazzling sea creatures. Use them as tactile educational tools for math, writing, and other skills; or as a construction material to create incredible DIY toys, instruments, and games! Read on to see some of our favorite ways to get crafty with paper plates.