17 Easy Preschool Crafts With Paper Plates

You need a craft. Something easy. Something that doesn't require a trip to the store or a Pinterest degree.

Paper plates. You probably have them right now. They're the backbone of daycare crafts for a reason.

The tablet would be easier. We know. But you're here because you want your kid making something real instead of watching someone else make things on a screen.

Here are 17 preschool crafts with paper plates that actually work.

Why Paper Plate Crafts Win

Paper plates are cheap, sturdy, and the perfect size for little hands. Most preschool arts and crafts you see online are actually paper plate crafts in disguise.

These toddler art projects use supplies you already have. Markers, paint, glue, scissors. That's it.

1. Paper Plate Lion

Yellow paint. Orange paper strips for mane. Draw a face. Roar. Done in 10 minutes.

2. Steering Wheel

Cut the center out. Let them "drive" it around the house. Toddler arts and crafts that become toys.

3. Rainbow Fish

Paint the plate. Cut a triangle out for the mouth. Add foil or tissue paper scales. Hang it up.

4. Paper Plate Mask

Cut eye holes. Decorate however they want. Tape a stick to hold it. Instant costume.

5. Caterpillar Chain

Cut plates in half. Paint them green. Connect them in a row. Add googly eyes to the first one.

6. Sun with Handprint Rays

Yellow plate. Trace their hands for sun rays. Glue around the edge. Preschool art activities that make keepsakes.

7. Frog Face

Green paint. Cut another plate for the mouth. Add a red paper tongue. Ribbit.

8. Paper Plate Wreath

Cut the center out. Wrap yarn around it. Add decorations. Hang on their door.

9. Turtle Shell

Green plate flipped upside down. Paint hexagon patterns. Add a head, legs, and tail cut from green paper.

10. Clock Face

Write numbers around the edge. Add paper arrow hands with a brad fastener. Teach them to tell time.

11. Pizza Craft

Paint it orange/red. Add paper toppings. Felt, foam, or construction paper work great. Daycare crafts love this one.

12. Spider

Black plate. Eight pipe cleaner legs. Googly eyes. Creepy and fun.

13. Apple with Worm

Red paint. Green paper leaf on top. Poke a hole. Stick a pipe cleaner worm through. Fall arts and crafts made easy.

14. Bunny Ears Headband

Cut a plate in half. Staple ends together to fit their head. Add paper ears standing up. Easter ready.

15. Flower Garden

Paint the plate green as grass. Glue on paper flowers and stems. Add a sun in the corner.

16. Penguin

White and black paint. Cut a smaller plate for the belly. Add orange feet and beak. Fall preschool activities that work year-round.

17. Flying Disc

Just decorate a plate and throw it. Sometimes simple is best. They'll play with it for an hour.

The Bottom Line

Paper plates are craft gold. Cheap, versatile, and already in your kitchen.

Pick one craft. Gather your supplies. Let them make something real with their hands.

Keep Creating

When craft time winds down, keep those hands busy with the Smart Sketch Workbook.

The PlayBright Visuals spark creativity just like crafting does. The ScreenFree SkillGrooves build pencil control. Art time that builds real skills.