Making paper plate crafts in the classroom is always so much fun. There are just so many amazing ways that the humble paper plate can be used to create crafts for kids.

I have pulled together some awesome paper plate crafts so you have them all in one place. As there are so many craft ideas below, to make it easy to find ones that will suit your class, I’ve sorted them by topic: animals, books, dress ups, games, instruments, learning, masks, plants and vehicles.

I hope you have fun getting crafty with these paper plate craft ideas.

Animals

1. How to make a paper dinosaur

If you have any dinosaur fans in your class, or if you’re completing a unit on dinosaurs then this is the perfect craft idea for you.

2. Paper plate wolf

This paper plate wolf craft goes along PERFECTLY with the story, Little Red Hiding Hood.

3. Paper plate snake craft using bubble wrap

This craft combines two of my fave things….paper plates and bubble wrap! These slinky snakes would make a fantastic visual display in your classroom.

4. Paper plate monkey

Some fun crafty monkeys. You could also get your students to make the monkeys standing in different poses.

5. Paper plate shark craft

A scary (or cute) shark craft. There is also a suggestion of a book that can be used with the craft as well.

6. Paper plate elephant

Whether for a zoo themed lesson plan or any day of the year craft idea – all you need is a little crafty creativity to make this one-of-a-kind piece come to life!

Books

7. Ladybug craft for kids

This craft is inspired by the book The Grouchy Ladybug. The craft combines making the ladybug and talking about feelings.

8. One fish two fish red fish blue fish

A fun fishbowl craft inspired by the Dr Seuss book One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.

9. Paper plate rainbow fish

The Rainbow Fish book is a classic children’s book. Here is the perfect fishy craft to go along with the book.

10. Colorful chameleons

This craft goes with Eric Carle’s book The Mixed-Up Chameleon.

11. Paper plate fantastic Mr Fox craft

If you’re reading the Roald Dahl book Fantastic Mr Fox, then this craft will go nicely with it.

Dress ups

12. Paper plate crown

This is a clever idea to make a paper plate crown. These would make a good birthday hat for when your students celebrate their birthday.

13. DIY watermelon purse

I love that this craft has an additional purpose, you can actually use it to carry around bits and bobs or keepsakes.

14. Last minute angel wings

This is such a cool dress up idea, especially if you need to make a costume and have left it to the last minute.

15. The cutest desk tidy

This paper plate craft is designed as a desk tidy, but I think it would also make a great handbag.

16. Paper plate turkey hat

This would be a good one for Thanksgiving.

Games

17. Paper plate pinata

Pinatas are so much fun for kids of all ages, and here is a simple idea to make your own using paper plates.

18. Paper plate ring toss game

Most kids love playing the traditional ring toss game, now you can get the kids to make their own.

19. Balloon tennis

This is the ultimate boredom buster and would be fun to use inside when it’s too cold and wet to head outdoors.

20. Paper plate frisbees

My little girl loves playing with frisbees and here is a craft to teach you how to make your own.

21. Paper plate magnet maze

This is a such a clever game and use of paper plates. These would be fun to make in class and then have them available to share between kids.

Instruments

22. Paper plate tambourine

This combines both music and art and craft… double bonus.

23. Paper plate banjo

This one looks cool, but not sure what it would sound like. But I like the idea.

24. Chinese new year drum

Get your kids to make a simple drum, that you could also use to help celebrate Chinese New Year.

25. Paper plate kalimba

Let’s make a Kalimba out of popsicle sticks, paper plates, and some scrap wood!

26. Paper plate cymbals

Make a pair of paper plates into fun and noisy cymbals.

27. Plate Maracas and Ocean Drum

Make the plate maracas and ocean drum out of two plastic or paper plates, rice, and tape. Easy!

Learning

28. Paper plate sundial

If you’re teaching your kids about telling the time and clocks, this would be a cool way to get them to use the sun to tell the time.

29. How to make a weather vane

Help your students explore weather with this fun paper plate weather vane science project.

30. How to make a paper plate clock

If you’re teaching all about time, get your students to make their own paper plate clocks.

31. Paper plate life cycle

This is a good one if you’ve been working on life cycles in your class. Your students illustrate the butterfly life cycle right onto a paper plate. This post also contains a free printable template to help get you started!

32. Paper plate skip counting

Kids will have fun practicing counting by 2s, 5s, 10s, and more with this fun, easy-to-make skip counting game.

Masks

33. Superhero paper plate masks

My little girl loves superheroes, especially Spiderman and Batman. I might have to give these ones a go.

34. Ninja turtle paper plate craft

A super easy mask for all of your Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle fans out there.

35. Vintage swimmer paper plate mask

I love the look of this mask, a great mask to make during the summer months.

36. Paper plate emotion masks

What a great idea to get kids talking about their emotions and feelings.

37. Easy lion mask craft

This is an adorable mask for your younger students.

38. Paper plate carnival masks

These masks are perfect for teaching kids about Rio Carnival, Brazil, and the Rainforest.

Plants

39. Paper plate flower craft for kids

This paper plate craft also helps teach some important skills to kids – how to use scissors.

40. How to make paper plate roses

This would make a good valentine’s craft or they also would look great just to display.

41. Paper plate garden

This is a great open ended paper plate craft activity. It would be interesting to see all of the different garden designs.

42. Flower petal suncatcher

This one gets you going outside with the kids as well and collects some flower petals to use in the suncatchers.

43. Paper plate venus fly trap

Oh my gosh I love this fly trap puppet.

44. Paper plate sun craft

This is a fun variation of a paper plate sun.

Vehicles

45. Paper plate flying saucer

Oh my gosh I love this paper plate craft and it would go so well with a unit on space.

46. Paper plate cars

This one is for any car loving kids in your class.

47. Paper plate sailboat

Use a paper plate, a craft stick, and paper to craft a delightful sailboat.

48. Paper plate balloon car

This would make a fun science experiment as well and uses: a paper plate, cardboard, scissors, straws, skewers, balloon, tape and a stapler.

49. Paper plate pirate ship

Argghhh me maties! If you love pirates, then this one is for you.

50. Hot air balloon

A colorful hot air balloon that would look fab hanging in your class.

Have you got any favorite paper plate crafts that you have created with your kids?