Hippo Paper Plate Craft
Need a quick win that doesn’t involve screen time or snacks? This hippo paper plate craft is the perfect mix of silly and simple. With a splash of paint and a few paper scraps, your preschooler can turn a plain plate into a big-grinned hippo buddy (that kinda looks like the one from Doc McStuffins if we’re being honest).
It’s low-prep, low-mess, and it just so happens to sneak in a little fine motor skill practice while you're both covered in glue.
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What You’ll Need to Make a Paper Plate Hippo Craft
How to Make a Hippo Paper Plate Craft (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
Gather your supplies.
Step 2: Paint the Plate
Paint the entire front of the paper plate purple and let it dry completely.
Step 3: Cut the Head Shape
Cut the painted plate into a rounded hippo head shape with slight bumps on the sides for cheeks.
Step 4: Cut the Paper Pieces
Cut out the rest of your hippo parts from brown and white paper: two ears, a large oval for the muzzle, two white teeth, and two white eyes.
Step 5: Add the Muzzle
Glue the muzzle to the bottom half of the paper plate.
Step 6: Add the Teeth
Tuck the white teeth just under the bottom of the muzzle and glue them down.
Step 7: Add the Eyes
Glue the white eyes above the muzzle.
Step 8: Add the Ears
Attach the two brown ears to the top of the hippo’s head.
Step 9: Draw the Pupils and Nostrils
Use a black marker to draw pupils inside the eyes and two little nostrils on the muzzle.
All done!
Your hippo is ready to show off its big silly grin!
We'd love to see yours! Snap a photo and share it in the comments.
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