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
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We love paper plate crafts for kids based on so many reasons, but one of our favorites is how easy peasy 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. Your kids are going to love making this fun penguin craft!
Supplies
- Paper plate
- Black paint
- Colored cardstock
- Black marker
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Paintbrush
- Penguin template (click the “click here to get this freebie” image at the end to open the form)
Directions
Download the paper plate penguin craft 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 white penguin piece toward the top of the paper plate.
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 each side of the penguin’s body and glue in place.
Place each flipper, pointing outward, on either side of the paper plate and glue in place.
Your kids will love this cute paper plate craft!
This is also a great paper penguin craft for young kids, as you can simplify it by using a store-bought black paper plates instead of painting them. This will save you drying time, plus they’ll be much less messy!
More Winter Ideas For Kids
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 penguin paper plate craft next to them and showing them the next step or they’re reading from the tutorial, they’ll need to learn to go in order to complete the craft correctly.
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 little penguins! They could even add googly eyes or any other craft supplies if they want to customize their project. 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!
Winter Theme Ideas For Kids
Winter Books For Kids
These winter books for kids are a fun way to keep up 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!
Kids’ Winter Crafts
For even more crafting fun, bundle up inside and try these ideas:
Snowman Snowglobe Craft – This snowman snowglobe craft for kids is sure to bring a smile to their faces! It’s simple to make and only requires paper, scissors, glue, and our free template.
Paper Plate Walrus Craft – Kids who love arctic animals will want to add this fun craft to their winter activity list! Break out the paint and crafting supplies and your kids will be ready to go. You could even add a popsicle stick to the bottom of the paper plate and turn this easy winter craft into a cute mask!
Sponge Painted Snowy Owl Craft – There’s just something about this adorable sponge painted snowy owl craft for kids that makes it irresistible. Maybe it’s the big, fluffy feathers, or the big, bright eyes. Whatever the reason, kids will want to make this craft again and again.
Eskimo Craft For Kids – Even though it’s cold outside, that doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun with winter crafts! This lovely winter craft is perfect for kids who love to be creative. With just a few simple supplies, they can transform themselves into a bundled up Eskimo.
Winter Kids Activities
These polar bear do a dot printables for kids are not only fun, but educational as well! With their bright white fur and friendly faces, these bears are sure to capture your child’s attention. And what’s more, they help with counting, fine motor skills, and letter recognition.
These free printable snowman coloring pages for kids are a great way to keep them entertained during the winter months. And what’s more, they have some great benefits too! Coloring is a great way to improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. It can also help to boost concentration and attention span.
Use these cute snowman worksheets when your kids need a no-prep learning activity! They’re fun and engaging and can help with handwriting, scissor skills, and letter recognition.
Looking for a fun and educational activity for little kids? Our narwhal worksheets are perfect! These printables are not only adorable, but they also help with letter recognition, handwriting, and fine motor skills. Just print them out and let your child explore the magical world of narwhals!
Share With Us
Did you make this craft with your kids or students? We’d love to feature them on our social media!
For a chance to have your child’s craft featured, simply snap a picture of the completed project and post it to our Facebook page, email it to us directly by clicking here, or use #simpleeverydaymom on your social media!
More Kids’ Activities
Paper Plate Penguin Craft For Kids
Make this cute paper plate penguin craft with the kids this winter!
Materials
- Paper plate
- Black acrylic paint
- White card stock
- Colored card stock (in black and yellow or orange)
- Black marker
- Glue stick
- Penguin template
Tools
- Scissors
- Paintbrush
Instructions
- 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.
Paper Plate Penguin Template
Sam is the crafter and founder of Simple Everyday Mom. She has been featured in Oprah Mag, Good Housekeeping, The Spruce Crafts, Country Living, The Bump and more. Read more.
Adriana
Saturday 16th of March 2024
Témplate please
Sam
Friday 22nd of March 2024
Since you’re a subscriber, you just need to click the “Click Here To Get Your Freebie” image at the end of the post and then enter your email in the form. After that, it’ll automatically redirect you to the download page ◡̈
Andrea
Tuesday 20th of February 2024
Template please
Sam
Tuesday 20th of February 2024
Of course! All you need to do is click the “Click Here To Get Your Freebie” image at the end of the post and then enter your email in the form Once you've been confirmed as an email subscriber (by clicking the link in the first email), you simply enter your email in any of the forms and it'll automatically redirect you to the download page.
Rebecca
Monday 22nd of January 2024
This is darling. Please send me the free paper plate penguin template
Sam
Tuesday 23rd of January 2024
Thanks! All you need to do is enter your email in the form at the end of this post to have the link sent to you. Once you've been confirmed as an email subscriber (by clicking the link in the first email), you simply enter your email in any of the forms and it'll automatically redirect you to the download page.
Dominique White
Tuesday 9th of January 2024
Please send me the free paper plate penguin template! Thanks!
Sam
Tuesday 9th of January 2024
Since you’re already an email subscriber, all you need to do is enter your email in the form at the end of any post and it’ll automatically redirect you to the download page ◡̈
Malin
Tuesday 9th of January 2024
Could I please have the template please for the penguin plate?
Sam
Tuesday 9th of January 2024
Of course! All you need to do is enter your email in the form at the end of this post to have the link sent to you. Once you've been confirmed as an email subscriber (by clicking the link in the first email), you simply enter your email in any of the forms and it'll automatically redirect you to the download page.