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Does your kiddo love monkeys or have a trip to the zoo coming up? This paper plate monkey craft is a fun and easy activity for kids to learn more about this favorite creature! 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, paint, glue and a paper plate. Our favorite monkey, Curious George would definitely be on-board for this craft! Make a paper plate lion or paper plate elephant and you’ll be on your way to having a full zoo to display.
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!
- Easy to find supplies are everything! Easy to find, easy to make, easy on parents and easy for kids.
- They’re fun to work on while watching a favorite show or reading a class book- in this case I’d recommend something from the Curious George or 5 Little Monkeys series!
- 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 Monkey
- Paper plates
- Scissors (remember to do the cutting if your child isn’t ready to yet.)
- Construction paper scraps or cardstock in beige or light brown
- Markers, crayons or paint
- googley eyes, or you can draw them on.
- School glue or gluesticks
Steps for Your Monkey Craft
Begin by painting or coloring your plate brown. 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 for the kid to pick from.
Cut out and glue two medium sized circles from the light brown construction paper to the back of the paper plate.
Cut out two two small circles and an oval from the light brown construction paper. Glue the small circles down first and then the larger oval to make the monkey face.
Glue on googley eyes and draw on a nose and smiley face. You can also make eyes from other paper or draw them on. Let kids make different monkey faces for this craft!
Tips for Making a Paper Plate Monkey:
- 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
- 2 tbsp brown paint (or marker)
- 2 pieces light brown construction paper (depending on how big child wants to cut ears, nose and eyes.)
- 1 black marker
- 2 googley eyes (optional)
- 1 gluestick or bottle of school glue
Instructions
- Begin by painting or coloring your plate brown. 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 for the kid to pick from.
- Cut out and glue two medium sized circles from the light brown construction paper to the back of the paper plate.
- Cut out two two small circles and an oval from the light brown construction paper. Glue the small circles down first and then the larger oval to make the monkey face.
- Glue on googley eyes and draw on a nose and smiley face. You can also make eyes from other paper or draw them on. Let kids make different monkey faces for this craft!