Paper Plate Sun Craft
Ready to create a burst of sunshine right at home? Dive into our Paper Plate Sun Craft guide and turn an ordinary afternoon into a fun-filled, educational adventure. You won’t believe how a simple paper plate can bring so much joy and learning!
Today, we’re diving into an incredibly exciting activity that not only promises endless fun but also sparks creativity and learning – our Paper Plate Sun Craft. This delightful project is more than just an art activity.
It’s a fantastic way for your little ones to develop their motor skills and engage in sensory play, all while gaining a basic understanding of the solar system.
Imagine the joy on their faces as they transform a simple paper plate into a vibrant, cheerful sun. And the best part? It’s super easy and requires materials you probably have lying around the house already.
So, let’s brighten up the day with our step-by-step guide to creating this sunny masterpiece!
What age group is this Paper Plate Sun Craft suitable for?
The Paper Plate Sun Craft is suitable for a wide age range as it’s simple enough for preschoolers to enjoy, yet can be made more complex for older children. Generally, it is ideal for kids aged 3 and up.
However, remember that younger children should always be supervised during craft time to ensure their safety, especially when using scissors or other sharp tools.
What can children learn from this craft?
Engaging in the Paper Plate Sun Craft activity offers several learning benefits for children:
- Motor Skill Development: The process of cutting, pasting, and painting helps in refining their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
- Creativity Boost: This craft allows children to use their imagination and creativity as they decide on the colors and design of their sun.
- Understanding of the Solar System: While a simple craft, it can be used as a starting point to discuss the solar system and the role of the sun in it.
- Sensory Exploration: Handling different materials like paper, glue, and paint provides a sensory experience which is crucial for a child’s development.
- Patience and Focus: Following the steps of the craft from start to finish requires concentration and patience, important skills for personal and academic growth.
Paper Plate Sun Craft
The sun is shining and the birds are singing outside my office window. It’s a great day to work on this fun summer-themed paper plate craft.
The sunshine is absolutely adorable, and kids will build fine motor skills as they thread the pipe cleaner rays around the edge.
What You’ll Need
- 1 yellow paper plate (or a white plate painted yellow)
- black marker
- hole punch
- 4 yellow 12-inch pipe cleaners
- 2 google eyes
- pink & black construction paper
What You’ll Do
Cut the flat middle circle section out of the yellow paper plate.
Punch 12 holes around the outside of the plate about 1/4 of an inch from the edge (to make it easy to get the holes spaced evenly, you can make dots with a black marker like the hours on a clock starting with where the 12 and the 6 are, then do the 3 and the nine, then fill in the rest of the hours).
Pre-fold your yellow pipe cleaners accordion-style into six 2 inch sections so they form into three even peaks.
Weave your pipe cleaners through the holes, twisting the last and first ends together at their edges each time you add a new pipe cleaner.
On your last pipe cleaner peak, twist the last and first added pipe cleaner ends together so the pipe cleaners are all connected.
Trace a circle a bit little larger than your googly eye on a folded piece of pink paper and simultaneously cut both circles out for the rosy cheeks.
Cut a smile shape for the sun’s mouth out of your black paper.
Glue the mouth, the googly eyes and both rosy cheeks onto the center of the sun; let dry.
Paper Plate Sun Craft
Equipment
- hole punch
- Scissors
Materials
- yellow paper plate
- black marker
- yellow pipe cleaners
- google eyes
- construction paper
Instructions
- 1. Cut the flat middle circle section out of the yellow paper plate.
- 2. Punch 12 holes around the outside of the plate about 1/4 of an inch from the edge (to make it easy to get the holes spaced evenly, you can make dots with a black marker like the hours on a clock starting with where the 12 and the 6 are, then do the 3 and the nine, then fill in the rest of the hours).
- 3. Pre-fold your yellow pipe cleaners accordion-style into six 2 inch sections so they form into three even peaks.
- 4. Weave your pipe cleaners through the holes, twisting the last and first ends together at their edges each time you add a new pipe cleaner.
- 5. On your last pipe cleaner peak, twist the last and first added pipe cleaner ends together so the pipe cleaners are all connected.
- 6. Trace a circle a bit little larger than your googly eye on a folded piece of pink paper and simultaneously cut both circles out for the rosy cheeks.
- 7. Cut a smile shape for the sun’s mouth out of your black paper.
- 8. Glue the mouth, the googly eyes and both rosy cheeks onto the center of the sun; let dry.
Tara is the brains behind Homeschool Preschool, where her journey from preschool and public school teacher to homeschooling mom of three fuels her passion for early childhood education. With a blend of expertise and firsthand experience, Tara’s writings offer practical tips and engaging resources to support families in creating meaningful learning adventures at home.
