Koala Paper Plate Craft
If your kiddo loves animals and messy art time, this koala paper plate craft is going to be a favorite. It’s easy, low-key, and gives you that “we actually made something today!” feeling without turning your kitchen into a disaster zone.
You only need a few basic supplies, and the result is one adorable, wide-eyed koala face your preschooler will want to show off to everyone, even the dog. Plus, it sneaks in fine motor practice and a little Australia-themed learning while they’re having fun. Win-win.
Materials Needed for This Paper Plate Koala Craft
Chances are, you already have most of this stuff stashed in your craft bin (or junk drawer—no judgment).
- 2 paper plates – one for the face, one to cut up for ears
- Gray paint – or mix black and white to make your own
- Paintbrush
- White and black construction paper
- Glue stick
- Scissors – kid-safe ones if little hands are helping
- Template
Extras if you’ve got them: cotton balls for fuzzy ears, crayons or markers for decorating, and anything else your child insists their koala needs (like sparkly eyebrows or a bowtie).
Let's Make a Koala Paper Plate!
Ready to get crafting? Find the instructions below!
Koala Paper Plate Craft
This sweet koala paper plate craft is perfect for Australian animal units or rainforest themes. With painting, cutting, and assembling steps, it's a great way to build fine motor skills and reinforce step-by-step direction following in early learners.
Materials
- 2 paper plates
- Gray paint
- White and black construction paper
- Glue stick
- Template
Tools
- Paint brush
- Scissors
Instructions
- Gather your supplies.
- Paint both paper plates gray and let them dry completely.
- Cut one of the gray plates into the shape of the koala's head, rounded on top with wider cheeks.
- Cut the second gray plate in half and round the edges to create two large koala ears.
- Cut two smaller white ear shapes, two black ovals for eyes, two tiny white dots for eye highlights, and one large black oval for the nose.
- Glue the white ear pieces onto the gray ears.
- Glue the ears to the back of the koala head so they peek out from each side.
- Glue on the black eyes and tiny white highlights.
- Glue on the eyes and then place the large black nose just below them in the center.
- Let it dry, then show off your sleepy little koala!
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Want to Make It Even More Fun?
Throw in some stickers. Draw a branch. Let your kid glue on leaves made from green paper scraps. Or give the koala a bowtie, a top hat, or pink cheeks. Who says koalas can’t have flair?
You could even turn it into a whole zoo scene using our other zoo animal crafts if you’ve got time and extra paper plates lying around. One craft turns into a whole afternoon of imaginative play, no screens needed.
Sneak In Some Learning
Here’s your chance to be the cool parent who casually drops fun facts:
- Koalas sleep up to 20 hours a day. Same, honestly.
- Their favorite food is eucalyptus leaves (which are kind of toxic to other animals).
- Baby koalas are called joeys and ride in their mom’s pouch like a built-in sleeping bag.
Ask your kid:
- What would your koala eat if it lived here?
- What would it look like if it was rainbow-colored?
- Can it do silly dances or make funny sounds?
Then roll right into storytime, playtime, or even make eucalyptus play dough (yes, that’s a thing). The craft doesn’t have to be the end, it’s just the beginning.
Koala-fied Fun (Yep, We Went There)
You started with two paper plates. Now you’ve got a full-blown koala with a face, a name, and probably a backstory. Your preschooler just crushed it and so did you.
Hang that fuzzy friend up where everyone can admire it. And if your kid’s ready for more animal adventures, check out the paper plate craft collection and keep the creative streak going.
Because let’s be honest… once the glue is already out, you might as well make a whole zoo.
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