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When you’re learning about the ocean it can be fun to talk about the different animals that live under the sea. Whether you’re watching the Little Mermaid or learning about the beach and ocean, this paper plate crab craft is a fun and easy activity for kids! It’s not just for preschool, though. You can make this really with any child by adjusting the steps and helping as needed.
I love how versatile paper plate crafts for kids can be. This project only needs paper, glue and a paper plate. You can use paint or markers and it can be customized with other colors.
Why kids love paper plate crafts
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. Kids can get creative and love seeing what they can turn into too! Learning about the ocean? Make a jellyfish paper plate craft or a paper plate shark too!
- 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.
Supplies for your Paper Plate Crab
- Paper plates
- Scissors (remember to do the cutting if your child isn’t ready to yet.)
- Construction paper scraps or cardstock in red, white and black
- Markers, crayons or paint
- googley eyes, or you can draw them on.
- School glue
Steps for Your Paper Plate Crab
Begin by painting or coloring your plate red. If you’re wanting this to be a faster craft you can use markers, crayons or colored pencils. You could also pre-paint plates too and have them ready to go.
After you paint the plate, cut it in half so you can get two crabs per plate. Cut out and glue the claws and legs onto the back of the plate.
Turn the plate around, and glue on the googley eyes, or draw on the eyes.
Allow to dry and your paper plate crab is ready for the ocean floor!
Tips for Making a Paper Plate Crab:
- Use leftover scraps of paper from other projects.
- 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 eyes, legs and tongue in advance.
- 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, cut in half
- 1 piece cardstock or construction paper (red)
- 2 googley eyes
- markers, crayons (as needed)
- 1 bottle school glue (or gluestick)
Instructions
- Begin by painting or coloring your plate red. If you're wanting this to be a faster craft you can use markers, crayons or colored pencils. You could also pre-paint plates too and have them ready to go.
- After you paint the plate, cut it in half so you can get two crabs per plate. Cut out claws and legs from red construction paper or cardstock.
- Turn the plate around, and glue on the legs and claws.
- Turn the plate back around and glue on the googley eyes.
- If you don't have these handy or available you can use white paper to make cut out eyeballs and color the pupils black.