This simple paper plate bee craft is a fun way to learn about bees, work on colors, talk about seaons or even make a Valentine.
I love projects with classic, easy-to-find supplies like popsicle sticks, toilet paper rolls, and paper plates. There is something nostalgic and timeless about them. I keep all these supplies stocked in a drawer, ready to craft!
It’s not just for preschool, though. You can make this really with any child by adjusting the steps and helping as needed.
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Why kids love paper plate crafts
If you’re looking for ways to use basic supplies, we’re so glad you’re here and are cheering you on! Getting creative can feel way more daunting than it is, and the more you make, the more ideas you’ll have! Kids love paper plate crafts for a lot of the same reasons we do!
- Easy to find supplies are everything! Easy to find, easy to make, easy on parents and easy for kids.
- The best kind of kids projects are things you already have in your home, or can easily grab on your next grocery store trip.
- If you mess up it’s very easy and possible to start over.
- They can paint or color the plates and make their bee faces as happy or silly as they want! Letting them get creative with it is the best part.
Supplies for your Paper Plate Bee
- Paper plates
- Scissors (remember to do the cutting if your child isn’t ready to yet.)
- Googley eyes
- Construction paper scraps or cardstock
- Markers, crayons or paint
- School glue
Steps for Your Bee Craft
Begin by painting or coloring your plate yellow. If you’re wanting this to be a faster craft then using markers, crayons or colored pencils is great! Or you can pre-paint your plates too.
Cut out two hearts onto black cardstock. You can do this by hand or use our heart template! I loved using the heart template to make all kinds of animal shapes, and this project uses heart shapes too as the wings. Line these up and using either school glue or a glue stick attach to the back of your paper plate.
Take a pipe cleaner and bend in half and twist into an antenna shape. Glue onto the back of the plate.
After the wings and antenna dry, turn the plate back over and glue on your paper strips and googley eyes. Allow to dry. Once dried, trim the paper stripes from the bumblebee. Draw on a smiley face and your bee is complete!
Tips for Making a Paper Plate Bee:
- Use leftover scraps of paper from other projects to make your stripes and wings. You could also use tissue paper or other materials to make it a sensory type of craft.
- If you’re making this with a younger child who can’t cut with scissors yet, it may be helpful to prep the paper pieces for the wings in advance.
- Wait until everything is completely dry before drawing on the smiley face.
- If you have a kiddo who will want to craft right away, you can even pre-paint the plate so that they can start assembling without having to wait for the paint to dry.
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Get the How-To
Supplies
- 1 paper plate
- 2 pieces black cardstock
- 2 googley eyes
- 1 glue, or glue stick
Instructions
- Paint or color your paper plate yellow.
- Start by cutting out two hearts onto black cardstock. You can do this by hand or use our heart template! Line these up and using either school glue or a glue stick attach to the back of your paper plate.
- Take a pipe cleaner and bend in half and twist into an antenna shape. Glue onto the back of the plate.
- After the wings and antenna dry, turn the plate back over and glue on your paper strips and googley eyes. Allow to dry.
- Once dried, trim the paper stripes from the bumblebee.
- Draw on a smiley face and your bee is complete!