Encourage a little creativity with paper plates this summer by making some of these fun paper plate crafts for kids!
Summer Crafting Fun
With summer right around the corner, my mind has been on kids’ activities and crafts.
I remember the days of summer crafting with my kiddos all too well, and I totally miss those days sometimes, you guys!
We would spend our summers doing light summer learning with lots of hours playing in the backyard pool.
Then, we spent the rest of our free time creating a fun lineup of summer crafts each year.
Now that they are mostly grown, instead of crafting with my children, I share fun craft ideas with you!
Paper Plate Crafts for Kids
While summer crafting can be done with several different art mediums and unique craft supplies, one of the most classic craft supplies for littles has always been that little throw-away paper plate.
This type of craft is so classic that I’m actually kinda surprised I’ve gone this long without making a list of fun paper plate crafts for you all.
Not only is this a classic type of craft for littles, but paper plates are generally pretty budget-friendly and can, of course, be used for more than just crafting.
Ready to get crafting?
Check out my full list of paper plate craft ideas for this summer below, you guys!
Summer Plate Crafts
Since I have summer on the brain, I want to kick off this fun list of paper plate crafts for kids with all things summer fun.
First, let’s hit all the summer flavors.
Let’s get this summer crafting BBQ started with this adorable paper plate pineapple (top, left) via Print Your Story.
This fun craft includes 2 free printable templates (a black and white version and a colored version).
Next up, try one of these other fruity options.
This paper plate watermelon craft (top, right) via Plate in 28 is unique as it uses yarn instead of the more traditional crafting template or paint options you will see time and again in this post.
Not a watermelon fan? Me neither! If berries are more your summer fruit style, give this beautiful strawberry craft (bottom, left) via Fireflies and Mudpies a try instead. This one also includes a free template and is so original in the way it uses buttons for seeds!
Lastly, keep things simple and cool with kids’ favorite summer treat, ice cream.
Encourage kiddos to create something sweet with this charming ice cream craft (bottom, right) via Daydream into Reality.
This craft is complete with free color and black and white templates. Plus, it has fun add-on ideas mentioned in the post to make each cone craft unique!
Love summer foods, but love camping and adventuring even better?
This next one will be right down your alley, you guys!
Check out this super creative paper campfire (above) via The Crazy Outdoor Mama.
This fun craft is the perfect way to kick off your summer!
While summer eats are half the fun, the summer activities you participate in are just as important!
So, whether it’s the lake, the beach, or the pool, remember all the summer fun you’ve had as a family by creating one of these fun activity-based paper plate crafts!
Beat the heat indoors with this You are My Sunshine craft via The Soccer Mom Blog.
This one is simple and cute. It calls for our favorite paint sticks and a bit of creativity.
Next, focus on the water with one of these cool crafts.
- Beach ball (top, right) via Rock Your Homeschool
- Pool floaty (bottom, left) via In the Playroom (includes a blank person template)
- Sailboat (bottom, right) via Parenting Chaos
Create one or create them all; either way, there are so many fun summer-themed paper plate crafts for kicking off your summer, you guys!
Animal Paper Plates
If summer-themed fun isn’t what you’re looking for, I’ve got you!
These next paper plate craft ideas are perfect for animal lovers who love to craft year-round.
Have a kiddo who adores their family dog or just loves farm animals?
These next three ideas are totally for them.
First, encourage your kiddos to celebrate Fido with this adorable paper plate dog craft (left) via Two Kids and a Coupon. This one includes a free template and is seriously one of the cutest crafts on this list, you guys!
Next up, some adorable farm animals your kids are sure to love.
This fluffy lamb (top, right) via Smiling Colors is as classic as it gets! Using a paper plate and some cotton balls, your kiddos can create the cutest ball of fluff on this list!
Lastly, this paper cow $(bottom, right) can be made using a printable pack of instructions and a template (at an additional cost)
Have a kiddo who loves the farm?
Keep the creativity flowing with our free printable farm animal coloring pages here on Life + homeschool!
If farm animals aren’t your kids’ first choice, check out these awesome bird-themed paper plate crafts!
- Yellow duck $ (top, left) via Parenting Chaos (instructions and template at an additional cost)
- Feathered chick (top, right) via Mommy Evolution
- Colorful parrot $ via Beth Ann Averill (template and instructions cost)
- Brown owl via Little Ladoo (free template)
- Pink flamingo via Makes and Takes
All 5 of these bird paper plate craft ideas are unique and make the perfect companion to our free printable bird watching worksheet here on Life + Homeschool!
While farm animals and birds can be fun and simple, sometimes what your little animal lover really needs is some zoo-inspired fun!
My kiddos grew up visiting the Kansas City Zoo on the regular, so I totally get it, you guys!
So, next time you plan a zoo day with your littles, try creating one of these fun paper plate crafts to remember it by!
- Walrus (left) via Little Ladoo (includes a free template)
- Giraffe (top, right) via Print Your Story (includes a free template)
- Lion via A Little Pinch of Perfect (includes multiple unique ideas for personalizing)
Love these zoo paper plate craft ideas?
Keep the fun going with our free printable zoo animal coloring pages here on Life + Homeschool!
Last, but certainly not least, these green reptile and amphibian paper plate crafts are perfect for a little afternoon craft sesh.
First, try this original paper plate alligator (left) via Parenting Chaos that includes free instructions!
Then, create this adorable frog craft (top, right) via The Diary of Dad and this swimming turtle (bottom, right) via Parenting Chaos, both of which include free templates and/or instructions.
Not going to lie, you guys, that turtle has me reminiscing on past crafting experiences with my youngest.
She once made the cutest paper turtle craft in her zoo preschool class, and the memory has stuck with me all these years.
Fish and Bug Plates
If you have kiddos who love fish, sea creatures, or bugs, these next several paper plate crafts will be right up their alley!
From simple to unique, these crafts are ideal for most ages and great for summer boredom-busting.
First up, this easy fish aquarium (left) from This Tiny Blue House includes free printables and is great for little ones practicing their cutting and pasting skills!
Next, have your kiddos try one of these simple paper plate fish crafts.
- Cupcake liner fish craft (top, right) via Mommy Evolution
- Toilet paper roll fish craft (bottom, right) via The Soccer Mom Blog (includes free tail fin template)
All 3 of these ideas could make great craft options to do at home after visiting your local aquarium!
Need something a little more sea-worthy?
Plan a trip to the beach and then head home for some crafting with these 4 fun options!
Start with this fun paper plate shark tank (top, left) via Living Life and Learning. This one includes a free printable and looks like it would be a great option for most ages.
Then, give this simple shark craft (top, right) via Simple Everyday Mom a try. This one not only includes a free template, but it has also been = featured in our full line-up of summer crafts for kids for a few years now!
Next, check out this colorful jellyfish craft (bottom, left) via Living Life and Learning. This one is not only adorable, but it also includes a free template, you guys!
Lastly, get a little crabby with this unique folded crab craft (bottom, right) via Backyard Summer Camp. This one includes free printable instructions upon signup, and looks like a lot of fun!
Have a little one more into bugs than fish or animals? I’ve got you!
While my youngest loved animals when she was little, she was a total bug lover too, you guys!
I think these next three would have been some of her favorite picks from this entire line-up.
Ready to get crafty with your little bug lover? Give one of these awesome bug paper plate crafts a try!
- Butterfly craft (left) via Mommy Evolution
- Paper ladybug (top, right) via Parenting Chaos (includes free template and instructions)
- Bee craft (bottom, right) via Simple Everyday Mom (includes free template)
Keep the fun going after craft time with our free printable bug-catching worksheet for little ones!
Other Paper Plate Crafts
Still haven’t found what you’re looking for?
These next 8 crafts are unique and hopefully exactly what you need.
First, let’s focus on a little outdoor-weather-related crafting.
Encourage kiddos to make a beautiful masterpiece with this paper plate flower craft (left) via Mommy Evolution. This one is simple and includes a free template!
Next, focus on the beautiful spring and summer weather with this umbrella (top, right) via Print Your Story, which includes a free template, and this easy paper rainbow via Parenting Chaos, which includes free directions!
Need more rainbow activities? I’ve got you! Check out our free rainbow template here on Life + Homeschool and get the dish on how to teach rainbow painting skills to little ones!
Have a little dino-lover in your home? I did once upon a time, too!
My middle kiddo was dino-obsessed during his prek years, and he would have loved these next 2 paper plate crafts!
Create this stand-up stegosaurus craft (left) via Backyard Summer Camp using the free template upon signup, or create it using your own dinosaur drawing skills!
Then, give this adorable dinosaur puppet (right) via Crafty Kids Play a try! This one also includes a free craft template.
Last, but certainly not least, I’ve got some fun ideas for those monster and alien fans!
First up, create these happy and colorful monster faces (left) via The Purple Yarn.
Then, head to outer space with this rocket ship craft (top, right) via Daydream into Reality. Not only does this one include free templates, but it has lots to choose from, you guys!
Finally, finish up your voyage with this alien-themed UFO craft (bottom, right) via Cultivating Brilliant Minds. This one also includes a free template and is super cute to boot!
More Paper Crafting Fun
Man, oh, man! I tried to keep this a shorter list, truly, but there were just way too many good ideas to choose from.
That said, if you are still on the lookout for more crafty fun, I’ve definitely got more where this came from.
Head over to our kids’ activities page to get in on all the fun.
Happy paper plate crafting, you guys!
