To make paper plate animals with kids, you'll need plain paper plates, construction paper, scissors, glue, and markers or crayons. Cut shapes from construction paper to create ears, noses, and other features, then glue them onto the paper plate to form your animal's face. Add details with markers, and you've got an adorable creature in about 15 minutes. It's one of the simplest crafts around: and kids tend to request it again and again.

This project works beautifully for toddlers through early elementary age, and the whole setup usually costs less than ten dollars. Whether you're looking for a rainy-day activity or a themed craft to pair with a favorite storybook, paper plate animals deliver every time.

Materials You'll Need (Under $10 Total)

Most families already have several of these supplies on hand, so your actual out-of-pocket cost could be even lower.

Age Range and Time Estimate

Best for ages 2–7, though older kids often enjoy helping younger siblings or creating more elaborate designs.

Time estimate: About 10–20 minutes per animal, depending on complexity and your child's pace.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Five Popular Paper Plate Animals

Below are instructions for five animals that tend to be kid favorites. Feel free to adapt these based on what your child wants to create: there's really no wrong way to do this.

1. Bunny Rabbit

What you'll need: White paper plate, pink and white construction paper, black marker, glue

Steps:

1. Keep the paper plate whole: this becomes the bunny's round face
2. Cut two long oval ears from white construction paper (about 6 inches long)
3. Cut two smaller pink ovals and glue them inside the white ears
4. Glue the ears to the back of the plate, pointing upward
5. Cut two white circles for eyes, then add smaller black circles as pupils (or use googly eyes)
6. Cut a small pink triangle for the nose and glue it in the center
7. Draw whiskers and a curved mouth with black marker

2. Friendly Lion

What you'll need: Paper plate, yellow and orange construction paper, brown or black marker, glue

Steps:

1. Cut the paper plate into a circle if it has raised edges (optional)
2. Cut many strips of orange or yellow construction paper, about 1 inch wide and 4 inches long
3. Glue the strips around the back edge of the plate to create a mane
4. Cut two small semi-circles for ears and glue them at the top
5. Add eyes using paper circles or draw them on
6. Draw a triangle nose, a curved mouth, and some whisker dots with marker

3. Spotted Dalmatian

What you'll need: White paper plate, black construction paper, black marker, glue, optional red paper

Steps:

1. Use the white plate as the dog's face
2. Draw random black spots all over the plate with marker
3. Cut two floppy ear shapes from black construction paper
4. Glue the ears to the sides of the plate, pointing downward
5. Add eyes (drawn or paper circles)
6. Cut a black oval nose and glue it in the center
7. Draw a curved mouth
8. Optional: Cut a small red rectangle for a collar and glue it at the bottom

4. Fluffy Lamb

What you'll need: Paper plate, cotton balls (lots of them), black and white construction paper, glue

Steps:

1. Cover the entire front of the paper plate with glue
2. Press cotton balls all over to create a fluffy texture: this is the fun part for little hands
3. Cut two rounded triangle ears from black or gray paper
4. Glue the ears to the top, poking out from under the cotton
5. Cut two white circles with smaller black circles for eyes
6. Glue the eyes onto the cotton, leaving the cotton visible around them
7. Add a small black oval nose

5. Cheerful Duck

What you'll need: Yellow paper plate (or paint a white one yellow), orange and white construction paper, black marker, glue

Steps:

1. If using a white plate, paint it yellow and let it dry completely first
2. Cut a large orange triangle for the beak: make it nice and wide
3. Fold the triangle slightly and glue it to the center of the plate
4. Cut two white circles for eyes, add black pupils
5. Cut two wing shapes from white or yellow paper
6. Glue the wings to the sides of the plate
7. Optional: Add some feather details with marker

Helpful Tips for Success

For toddlers (ages 2–3): Consider removing the raised rim of the paper plate by cutting it off. This gives you a flat surface that's easier for little ones to work with: pieces won't slide around as much during gluing.

Better glue control: Use a Q-tip to apply small dots of glue rather than letting toddlers squeeze the bottle directly. This prevents the "glue puddle" situation that often leads to frustration.

Let creativity lead: Resist the urge to "fix" your child's design. A purple lion with seven eyes is a perfectly valid artistic choice. The goal is creative expression and fine motor practice, not perfection.

Pair with books: These crafts work wonderfully alongside animal-themed picture books. Read a story about a bunny, then make one together. It reinforces the experience and gives kids context for their creation.

Display their work: Punch a hole at the top and thread ribbon through for an instant wall hanging. Kids light up when they see their creations displayed.

For more hands-on projects like this one, check out our kids crafts collection for additional ideas.

More Animals to Try

Once you've mastered the basics, the possibilities really open up:

• Panda: White plate with black paper eye patches and ears
• Elephant: Gray plate with large floppy ears and a construction paper trunk
• Owl: Brown plate with big round eyes and pointed ear tufts
• Pig: Pink plate with a circular snout and curly pipe cleaner tail
• Frog: Green plate with big googly eyes and a red paper tongue
• Cat: Any color plate with pointed ears and drawn whiskers

Each of these follows the same basic approach: plate as face, construction paper for features, markers for details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use foam plates instead of paper plates?
You can, though glue doesn't stick quite as well to foam. Paper plates tend to work better and are generally more affordable.

What if my child wants to paint the plates?
Painting works great! Just allow plenty of drying time before adding construction paper pieces: usually about 30 minutes to an hour depending on how thick the paint is.

Are there animals that work better for beginners?
The lamb (with cotton balls) and the bunny tend to be the easiest because they don't require much cutting precision. The lion is also forgiving since the mane hides uneven edges.

How do I store finished paper plate animals?
Flat storage works best. Slide them between layers of cardboard in a large folder or portfolio, or punch holes and hang them on a clothesline in the playroom.

Can this be a group activity for a party or classroom?
Definitely. Pre-cut the construction paper shapes beforehand, set up stations with different materials, and let kids assemble their own creations. It works well for groups of eight or more.

What age is too young for this craft?
Children under two may struggle with the gluing and may try to eat supplies. For very young toddlers, you might do most of the assembly while they hand you pieces and watch.

Do I need to buy special craft paper plates?
Nope. Standard plain white paper plates from the grocery store work perfectly well. Avoid plates with printed patterns unless you plan to paint over them.

How can I make this educational?
Talk about the animals as you create them: where they live, what sounds they make, what they eat. For older kids, you could discuss animal classifications or habitats.