This Paper Plate crab is a simple craft that even very young kids can make. You only need a few supplies for this art and craft and my free printable claw template.

We have you covered with loads of fun kids’ activities you can make with your children.  If you are looking for more boredom busting ideas check out all my crafts and activities to keep kids active and entertained!

Title Paper Plate Crab

This craft is perfect for preschoolers on up.

Here are the supplies you need:

paper plate crab supplies

 

How to Make a Crab Out of a Paper Plate

Follow along the step by step pictures to see how easy this paper plate craft is to make.

To begin, fold the paper plate in half. Open the paper plate and cut on the line. This deep groove makes it easier to cut straight on the line, perfect for those beginning cutting skills. I buy packs of these thin, cheapie paper plates at the dollar store. They are perfect for kid’s crafts! If you buy the thicker paper plates they can be more challenging for little hands to try to cut.

fold paper plate in half

Paint one 1/2 of the paper plate red and set the other 1/2 aside for a future project. This is an excellent opportunity to talk about filling in all the white space, a skill they will need for coloring neatly. The sharp contrast between the red paint and the white paper plate makes it very easy for them to see where they still need to fill in.

painting a paper plate crab

 

While the paint is drying, print out a copy of the crab arm template {click on the picture and print}, and cut out the template.

crab claw printable template

Download and print the template on red paper. You can also print on white cardstock, cut out and trace around the crab arm template on the red construction paper and cut out the crab arms.

trace crab leg template

Tape the arms to the back side of the bottom sides of the paper plate half.

tape the crab legs onto the paper plate body

Fold the red pipe cleaner into a V shape.

paper plate crab eye supplies

Attach the wiggly eyes to each end of the pipe cleaner with washi tape.

paper plate crab eyes

Tape the bottom of the V to the back of the paper plate with more washi tape and you have your Paper Plate Crab!

eyes on paper plate crab

Hmm….something is missing!

paper plate crab kids craft

Grab a black marker and give this Paper Plate Crab a smile!

paper plate crab craft

How cute is that!

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Dolen Diaries is all about creating creative quality time with her family. She believes the BEST conversations with her boys happen while doing something creative together.  She loves sharing ways that you can spend some creative time with your kids.

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Paper Plate Crab

This Paper Plate Crab is a simple craft that even very young kids can make. To make this craft, you only need a few supplies for and my free printable claw template. Follow along with these simple instructions to make this adorable crab. If you want to, have fun and decorate it how ever you want.
Keyword crab craft, paper plate crab, paper plate craft, washi tape
Prep Time 30 minutes
Dry time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 1 crab
Author Cindy Hopper

Equipment

  • Pair of Scissors
  • Paintbrush
  • Crab arm template

Ingredients

  • 1 each think paper plate (Cheap thin white paper plates are best.)
  • 2 each wiggly eyes
  • red washi tape
  • 1 each 12" red pipe cleaner
  • 1 piece red construction paper
  • 1 each crab arm template

Instructions

  • Fold the paper plate in half.
    Folded paper plate
  • Open the paper plate and cut on the line. The deep groove provides a guide to cut along and make a straight cut.
  • Paint one half of the plate and set the other half a side for a future project. Make sure to cover all the white spots with the red paint. Allow the paint to dry.
    Half of paper plate painted red
  • While the paint is drying print a copy of the crab arm template. Click on this link, https://www.skiptomylou.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/crab-claws-template.pdf, to download and print it on red or white cardstock.
  • Once printed cut out the template. If you print on white card stock, you can color them red or you can trace the image on red construction paper and cut them out.
    Crab arms traced on to red construction paper
  • Tape the arms to the bottom sides of the painted paper plate half.
    Painted half of paper plate with crab arms taped on circular side of the of the back of the plate
  • Fold the red pipe cleaner in a V shape.
    Red pipe cleaner folded into a V and wiggly eyes
  • Attach the wiggly eyes to each end of the pipe cleaner with Washi tape.
    Red pipe cleaner folded into a V with wiggly eyes attached to the two ends
  • Tape the bottom of the pipe cleaner V to the back of the paper plate with more Washi tape and you have your Paper Plate Crab!
    The base of the V taped to the back flat edge of the paper plate with crab legs taped to the rounded side
  • There's one more thing needed, a smile. Grab a black marker and give the Paper Plate Crab a smile!
    Smile added to red paper plate crab

Notes

Great craft for preschoolers and early elementary kids.

About Cindy Hopper

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Comments

  1. You have make great crab on paper and its simple and unique craft.

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