Paper Plate Jack-o'-Lanterns: Easy Halloween Craft for Kids

Carving pumpkins means sharp knives, slimy guts, and a parent doing most of the work. Paper plate jack-o'-lanterns flip that. Kids do every step themselves.

They paint a plate orange, then cut and glue black paper shapes into a face. Every kid's expression comes out different. Hang the finished plates in a window or tape them to the front door.

The project takes about 30 minutes plus drying time. The supplies cost a few dollars.

Materials You'll Need

• White paper plates (the cheap thin kind)
• Orange washable tempera paint
• Large paintbrushes or foam brushes
• Black construction paper
• Green construction paper
• Glue sticks
• Safety scissors
• Newspaper

Safety note: Adults cut the small face shapes for kids under 5. Older kids cut their own with safety scissors and supervision.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Paint the Plate

Flip the plate face-down so the flat back faces up. Brush orange paint over the whole back. One thick coat covers well.

Step 2: Cut the Face Shapes

Cut triangles for eyes and a jagged mouth from black construction paper. Adults handle this step for kids under 5. Older kids cut their own shapes with safety scissors.

Step 3: Glue the Face

Glue the eyes and mouth onto the dry orange plate. Press each shape for a few seconds so it sticks. Crooked faces look funnier, so skip the ruler.

Step 4: Add a Stem

Cut a small rectangle from green paper. Glue it to the top of the plate. Now it reads as a pumpkin instead of an orange circle.

Step 5: Hang Them Up

Tape finished jack-o'-lanterns to windows or the front door. They look best with light behind them. Kids who like building faces on plates also like our paper plate masks.

Tips for Different Ages

Toddlers (2-3): Let them paint the plate orange. You cut and glue the face. They still get a finished pumpkin with their name on it.

Preschoolers (4-5): They paint and glue by themselves. Pre-cut the face shapes and let them arrange the expression.

Early elementary (6-8): They cut their own shapes with safety scissors. Challenge them to make the silliest face in the house.

Older kids (9+): They can design layered faces with teeth, eyebrows, and scars. For more paper plate fun, try our paper plate ladybug next.

Variations to Try

• Witch hat pumpkin: Glue a black paper triangle hat on top of the plate before adding the face.
• Mummy pumpkin: Wrap white crepe paper strips over the orange paint, then glue the face shapes on top.
• Glow face: Outline the face shapes with glow-in-the-dark paint for a nighttime window display.
• Pumpkin garland: Punch holes in five plates and string them together across a doorway.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What age is this craft good for?

Kids as young as 2 can paint the plate. Kids 5 and up can usually cut and glue the whole thing with supervision. Adjust which steps you hand over based on your kid's scissor skills.

Can I use a different color instead of orange?

Yes. White plates become ghosts with a black face. Black plates with yellow faces make spooky night pumpkins. Green plates make Frankenstein.

How do I keep the paint from warping the plate?

Use one thick coat instead of several wet ones. Thin plates warp less when they dry flat. A little curl at the edges looks fine on a pumpkin.

What glue works best on painted plates?

Glue sticks hold paper shapes on dried tempera paint. Liquid school glue works too but needs longer to set. Hot glue is an adult-only job.

How do you hang paper plate crafts?

Tape works on windows and doors. Punch two holes at the top and thread yarn for hanging. They are light enough that painter's tape holds them for weeks.

Be safe and have fun!