Paper Plate Squirrel Craft for Kids

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

Round up everything from the list above before you sit down, it saves a trip mid-project.

Step 2: Paint the Plates

Paint the outside of one plate tan and the outside of a second plate ivory. Let both dry, adding a second coat if needed.

Step 3: Trace the Body Pieces

Print the squirrel patterns, trace the squirrel-with-arms shape onto the tan plate, and trace the solid squirrel body onto the ivory plate.

Step 4: Cut Out Both Pieces

Cut out both pieces.

Step 6: Layer the Body

Glue the tan squirrel piece on top of the ivory squirrel piece, then trim away any ivory showing around the edges.

Step 7: Attach the Face

Glue the inner ear onto one outer ear, then attach both ears, the nose, and the wiggle eye to the squirrel's head using the reference photo for placement.

Step 8: Build the Tail

Starting at the base of the tail, glue the dark brown hand shapes in an overlapping row, then layer the tan hand shapes over the top, also overlapping. Building the tail as its own piece first makes the overlapping much easier to control.

Step 9: Attach the Tail

Attach the finished tail to the bottom of the squirrel.

Step 10: Stamp On a Cheek

Dab pink paint onto the sponge and stamp a cheek just under the eye, then let dry.

Step 11: Draw the Smile

Finish with a black marker smile running from the nose to the cheek.

Then hang your finished squirrel craft up on display!