If you’ve got a stack of paper plates, a glue stick, and a few wiggly little crafters, you’re already halfway there. These adorable paper plate animal crafts are perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, or big kids who just want a fun hands-on activity. They’re great for daycare crafts, rainy afternoons, or even themed birthday parties.
Most of these are recycled crafts, using basic supplies like construction paper, leftover tissue, and paint. You’ll find ideas for masks, face crafts, and classic favorites like turtles, lions, cows, and dinosaurs. Let’s get those little hands busy!
1. Paper Plate Lion Mask
This cheerful lion mask is full of personality—and paper strips make the perfect fluffy mane. It’s a favorite in our house when we’re pretending to be animals.
What you’ll need:
- 1 paper plate
- Yellow and orange construction paper
- Black marker
- Glue stick
- Scissors
- String or a craft stick (optional)
Steps:
- Cut a hole in the center of the plate to create the mask face opening.
- Cut orange and yellow paper into strips for the mane.
- Glue the strips all around the outside edge of the plate.
- Add ears at the top and a little nose on the bottom.
- Draw on whiskers and attach string or a stick to hold the mask.
2. Paper Plate Turtle Craft
This sweet little turtle is made using a half plate and a few simple paper shapes. It’s a perfect paper plate craft for toddlers, especially when paired with a story about turtles or pond life.
What you’ll need:
- Half a paper plate
- Green paint
- Green construction paper
- Glue
- Googly eyes or paper circles
- Black crayon or marker
Steps:
- Paint the bottom of the paper plate green and let it dry.
- Cut out four legs, a tail, and a head from green paper.
- Glue the pieces under the plate to make the turtle’s body.
- Add two eyes to the head and draw a smile.
- Use a marker to add shell designs if you like.
3. Cow Paper Plate Craft
This friendly cow is simple, fun, and great for farm animal crafts for toddlers. The big pink nose and black spots are always a hit with little ones.
What you’ll need:
- Paper plate
- White, black, and pink paper
- Glue
- Black marker
- Googly eyes (optional)
Steps:
- Cut black spots from paper and glue them on the plate.
- Cut and glue a pink oval for the nose area.
- Add ears and little horns to the top.
- Glue on eyes and draw a big happy mouth.
- Add extra details like nostrils or eyelashes if you’d like.
4. Dinosaur Paper Plate Craft
Rawr! This dinosaur paper plate craft uses just half a plate and is great for a prehistoric play session. Make a whole family of dinos with different colors and spiky shapes.
What you’ll need:
- Half a paper plate
- Green paint
- Colored construction paper
- Glue
- Scissors
- Googly eyes or paper circles
Steps:
- Paint the back of the half plate and let it dry.
- Cut triangles or spikes from colored paper.
- Glue the spikes along the curved edge of the plate.
- Add a tail and a dinosaur head with a friendly face.
- Glue on a googly eye and draw a smile or some sharp teeth!
5. Elephant Paper Plate Craft
This big-eared friend is a gentle giant and a great animal craft for kids learning about safari animals or jungle creatures.
What you’ll need:
- Paper plate
- Gray paint or paper
- Large ears cut from construction paper
- Trunk shape
- Googly eyes
- Glue
Steps:
- Paint the paper plate gray and let it dry.
- Cut out two large elephant ears and a trunk.
- Glue the ears on either side and the trunk in the center bottom.
- Add eyes above the trunk.
- Use a marker to draw extra details like wrinkles or toenails.
6. Paper Plate Pig Face
This happy little pig is so simple and great for preschoolers who love pink everything. It pairs well with the cow craft for farm-themed days.
What you’ll need:
- Paper plate
- Pink paint
- Pink paper for ears and snout
- Black marker
- Glue
Steps:
- Paint the plate pink and let it dry.
- Cut out triangle ears and a round snout from pink paper.
- Glue ears at the top and the snout in the middle.
- Add two black nostrils and a big smile with marker.
- Draw eyes or use googly eyes to finish it off.
7. Paper Plate Owl Craft
Great for fall or woodland themes, this wide-eyed owl looks adorable hung up or perched on a classroom wall.
What you’ll need:
- Paper plate
- Brown, yellow, and orange paper
- Glue
- Scissors
- Markers
Steps:
- Color or paint the plate brown.
- Cut and glue on two big yellow eyes with black pupils.
- Add triangle ears and a beak.
- Use orange paper to make wing shapes for the sides.
- Add feathers or draw them on with a marker.
8. Giraffe Paper Plate Mask
This tall animal makes for a fantastic animal face mask craft, especially for kids who like spots and silly expressions.
What you’ll need:
- Paper plate
- Yellow and brown paper or paint
- Glue
- String or a craft stick
- Scissors
Steps:
- Paint or color the plate yellow.
- Cut and glue on brown paper spots.
- Add ears, ossicones (horns), and a snout.
- Cut out eye holes if using as a mask.
- Attach string or a stick to hold it up.
9. Paper Plate Frog Craft
Ribbit! This frog is bouncy, cheerful, and great for spring or pond-themed days. Bonus: the long tongue makes kids giggle every time.
What you’ll need:
- Paper plate
- Green paint or paper
- Red paper for tongue
- Googly eyes
- Glue
Steps:
- Paint the plate green and let it dry.
- Fold in two corners to form frog cheeks.
- Add large eyes to the top edge.
- Curl a red paper strip for the tongue and glue it on.
- Draw a happy frog smile.
10. Paper Plate Panda Face
Cute, simple, and high contrast—this panda craft is toddler-friendly and a sweet addition to an animal-themed display.
What you’ll need:
- Paper plate
- Black and white paper
- Glue
- Marker
- Googly eyes (optional)
Steps:
- Cut out two black ears and two black ovals for eye patches.
- Glue the pieces to the plate.
- Add eyes, a round black nose, and a mouth.
- You can add a pink tongue or cheeks with crayon for extra personality.
11. Paper Plate Sheep Craft
Fluffy and fun, this sheep is perfect for Easter or farm animal crafts. Cotton balls add a tactile touch that toddlers love.
What you’ll need:
- Paper plate
- Cotton balls
- Black paper
- Googly eyes
- Glue
Steps:
- Cover the plate with glue and press on cotton balls.
- Cut out a black oval face and two ears.
- Glue the face near the bottom and ears on each side.
- Add googly eyes and a soft smile with marker.
12. Printable Animal Masks
If you need a no-fuss craft, printable animal masks are a fantastic time-saver. Just print, color, and cut—done!
What you’ll need:
- Printable animal mask templates
- Crayons or markers
- Scissors
- String or craft sticks
- Glue (optional)
Steps:
- Print your chosen animal face mask template.
- Let kids color or decorate however they like.
- Cut out the shape and eye holes.
- Attach string or glue it to a stick for holding.
- Try a whole zoo of animals—kids love collecting them!
Final Thoughts
Paper plate animals are such a simple and joyful way to spark creativity—and a little bit of mess—in any setting. Whether you’re making lion masks for kids in a classroom, a paper plate turtle craft at home, or using printable animal masks for a quick fix, these ideas are easy enough for toddlers and fun enough for big kids too.
They’re perfect for rainy days, themed weeks, or anytime you want to mix play with learning. And the best part? Most of these are recycled crafts, so you don’t need to spend much to make something magical. Just a few basic supplies and a bit of imagination go a long way.
If you try any of these paper plate crafts for kids, I hope they bring a few giggles and lots of creative energy into your day. Hang them up, wear them proudly, or make a whole animal parade—there’s no wrong way to craft when you’re having fun.