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!
This craft is perfect for preschoolers on up.
Here are the supplies you need:
- thin paper plate
- scissors
- 2 wiggly eyes
- red washi tape
- red pipe cleaner
- red washable paint
- paintbrush
- crab arm template
- 1 piece of red construction paper
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tape the arms to the back side of the bottom sides of the paper plate half.
Fold the red pipe cleaner into a V shape.
Attach the wiggly eyes to each end of the pipe cleaner with washi tape.
Tape the bottom of the V to the back of the paper plate with more washi tape and you have your Paper Plate Crab!
Hmm….something is missing!
Grab a black marker and give this Paper Plate Crab a smile!
How cute is that!
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.
More Kids Crafts
- Paper Towel Butterflies – beautiful and easy
- Pasta Necklace
- Paper Towel Roll Puppets
- Child’s Artwork Pillow
- Salt Painting
- Homemade Puffy Paint
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Paper Plate Crab
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Tape the arms to the bottom sides of the painted paper plate half.
- Fold the red pipe cleaner in a V shape.
- Attach the wiggly eyes to each end of the pipe cleaner with Washi tape.
- 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!
- There's one more thing needed, a smile. Grab a black marker and give the Paper Plate Crab a smile!
You have make great crab on paper and its simple and unique craft.