Wintertime is the perfect time for crafting with the kids!

Of course, we think any time is great for crafting, but winter is especially good.

Kids aren’t able to play outside as much and they’re home more for Christmas break that you’ll need some fun indoor activities to keep them occupied.

Today we’re sharing one of the simplest and cutest crafts to date, this paper plate penguin craft! It’s a fun and easy winter animal craft for kids!

Read on below or watch or detailed video tutorial to see exactly how to make this penguin craft with your kids or students.

Penguin Craft Idea

We love paper plate crafts for kids based on so many reasons, but one of our favorites is how darn easy they are to make!

This paper plate penguin craft idea is super simple. There’s a bit of everything from painting, cutting and gluing so it’s great fun for the kids.

Plus, you only need a few supplies that you likely already have in your craft closet!

Supplies

• Paper plate
• Black paint
• White card stock
• Colored card stock (in black and yellow or orange)
• Black marker
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Paintbrush
• Penguin template

Directions

Download the paper plate penguin template, print and cut out the pieces.

Paint the paper plate black. You don’t need to paint the whole paper plate, just the outside and a small portion by the top. Let dry completely.

Draw the eyes on the top of the white penguin piece.

Glue the white penguin piece to the middle of the black paper plate.

Glue the penguin’s beak at the end of the dip on the white center.

Position the penguin’s feet on either side of the white belly and glue in place.

Place each flipper, pointing outward, on either side of the paper plate and glue in place.

This penguin paper plate craft is easy, fun and so adorable! If you liked this easy kids craft, you’ll also like making this snowman paper plate craft.

If you’re looking to make this craft even simpler, like for toddlers, you can use a store-bought black paper plate instead of painting them.

This will save you the drying time, plus they’ll be much less messy!

Crafting Benefits For Kids

Did you know that crafting with kids is not only fun but also helps kids develop in lots of ways?!

I know! It’s a win-win.

First, crafting helps kids learn to follow directions.

Whether you’re making this craft next to them and showing them the next step or they’re reading from a tutorial, they’ll need to learn to go in order to complete the craft correctly.

Related: Penguin Paper Bag Puppet Craft

Second, crafting helps kids develop their fine motor skills. If they’re able to use scissors by themselves, they’ll need to follow along the template lines and cut each piece out.

If they’re not yet ready to cut the pieces out themselves, they’ll use fine motor skills to place the glue on the pieces and place them in the right spot on the paper plate.

Crafting also allows children another form of self-expression. While the craft will give kids an example of what the finished project can look like, children are free to adapt and change to what they want.

Is your child’s favorite color blue? Perfect.

Paint the paper plate blue instead and make a rainbow of penguins!

With every craft, there are countless ways to help your child express themselves!

Finally, crafting helps build your child’s self-confidence.

Have you ever seen the way your child’s face is beaming after they finish a project? They can’t wait to show everyone in the family their newest creation.

Starting from a few supplies and creating something that didn’t exist helps a child recognize they can create! This, in turn, fosters creativity and self-confidence that can expand to other areas of their life!

More Winter Fun

The winter books for kids are a fun way to keep with the winter theme! Grab them from your local library or buy them on Amazon to add to your home library!

The Biggest Snowman Ever – When the mayor of Mouseville announces the town snowman contest, Clayton and Desmond claim that they will each make the biggest snowman ever.

The Snowy Day – This story shows a child’s wonder at a new world and the hope of capturing and keeping that wonder forever.

Sneezy The Snowman– Sneezy is COLD! And he’s trying to warm up without success. But, the kids know exactly how to help him!

These winter activity coins will kick boredom to the curb! They’re cute and a fun way to discover new ideas.

Pull out this winter play dough kit to give the kids some fun hands-on sensory play!

Share With Us

Did you make this cute penguin craft with your kids or students?

We’d love to see how they turned out! Snap a picture of them then post it to our Facebook wall or in our private Facebook group!

Get All Of Our Favorite Paper Plate Crafts!

Paper Plate Penguin Template