Paper Plate Animal Mask Making
Transform a paper plate into an animal mask with paint and paper scraps — your child designs the creature and then plays pretend.
What You'll Need
- 1Paper plates
- 2Washable paint
- 3Construction paper
- 4Glue stick
- 5Crayons or markers
- 6Popsicle sticks
- 7Tape
- 8Scissors (adult use)
What You'll Need
Paper plates
Washable paint
Construction paper in assorted colors
Glue stick
Crayons or markers
Popsicle sticks
Tape
Scissors (adult use for cutting eye holes)
How to Play
Give your child a paper plate and ask them to choose an animal. Cat, dog, lion, bunny, bear — anything they love.
Paint the plate together using the animal's base color. Orange for a lion, gray for a bunny, brown for a bear. Let it dry.
Cut two eye holes so your child can see through the mask. This is an adult-only step — use scissors or a craft knife.
Glue on construction paper shapes for features. Cut triangles for cat ears, circles for bear ears, a pink oval for a pig snout.
Add details with crayons or markers — draw spots, stripes, whiskers, or teeth.
Tape a popsicle stick firmly to the back at the bottom. This becomes the handle for holding the mask up.
Hold the mask up to your face, make the animal's sound, and walk like the animal. Then hand it to your child and let them take over the pretend play.
Tips
Make the mask together and then play pretend with it. The art and the dramatic play are equally valuable.
Let your child invent an animal that does not exist. A purple cat with polka dots and antennae is a perfectly valid creative choice.
If your child wants to wear the mask hands-free, punch holes on the sides and thread elastic through instead of using a stick handle.
Make multiple masks over several days to build a collection. Then act out a whole animal story together.
This is an excellent rainy day activity that covers art, imagination, and active play in one session.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 25 min, with 5 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: paper plates, washable paint, construction paper, glue stick, crayons or markers, and 3 more items.
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 2-4 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Can this be done indoors?
This activity is designed for indoor play, making it perfect for rainy days or when you're staying inside.
How difficult is this activity?
This is an easy activity that requires minimal setup and supervision. Great for busy days or when you need something quick.
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