Whale Paper Plate Craft
This whale paper plate craft came from one of those days where the kids wanted to make “just one quick craft,” and suddenly we were painting ocean creatures like it was our full-time job. Honestly, this one turned out way cuter than I expected…a painted half-plate with fins and a little water spout shouldn’t work as well as it does, but here we are.
It’s easy, it’s fun, and it doesn’t take a ton of supplies. Exactly the kind of craft that works on a random afternoon when you just need something simple to keep hands busy.
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Materials You’ll Need for This Whale Paper Plate Craft
Print-ready templates and step-by-step instructions.
Less prep, more crafting.
How to Make This Paper Plate Whale Craft
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
Gather all of your supplies.
Step 2: Fold and Cut the Paper Plate
Fold the paper plate so the bottom edge meets the top edge of the circular indent and score firmly. Cut the paper plate with scissors along the folded line.
Step 3: Paint the Whale Body
Measure and mark a line 2” up from the bottom cut edge of the whale body. Paint the outside top of the paper plate with bright blue acrylic craft paint. Set aside to dry and apply a second coat, if necessary.
Step 4: Trace the Whale Patterns
Download and print the whale patterns, then cut out with scissors. Trace the tail fluke once and the pectoral fin twice onto bright blue cardstock. Trace the water spout once on to light blue cardstock with a pencil. You could also use colored craft foam,construction paper, or craft felt for this project.
Step 5: Cut Out the Pieces
Cut out the patterns with scissors making sure to cut inside the traced lines for a clean, finished project.
Step 6: Attach the Tail and Fins
Attach the tail fluke and pectoral fins with a glue gun and glue sticks. TIP: You can use liquid craft glue for this project, but you will have to wait for it to dry.
Step 7: Paint the Tail
Paint the tail fluke with bright blue acrylic craft paint. Set aside to dry.
Step 8: Add the Eyes
Glue two wiggle eyes to the right and left side of the whale’s face.
Step 9: Stamp the Tail Dots
Stamp a dotted pattern on the tail fluke by dipping the end of a paintbrush in white acrylic craft paint.
Step 10: Stamp On Pink Cheeks
Create cheeks by dipping a round sponge dabber in pink acrylic craft paint and stamping on either side of the whale’s eyes. Let paint dry.
Step 11: Draw the Whale Details
Using a black marker, draw a smile on the whale’s face, add vertical lines to the white portion of the whale, and draw a wiggly line around the light blue cardstock water spout.
Step 12: Add the Water Spout
To finish, glue the waterspout to the whale’s head. Draw a half circle at the base of the water spout with a black marker.
All done!
Hang your finished whale on display!
We'd love to see yours! Snap a photo and share it in the comments.
Grab the Printable
Skip the prep and grab the print-ready templates for this craft from my shop.
More Arctic Animal Crafts for Kids
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Please Share This Whale Paper Plate Craft
If your kids enjoyed making their ocean-inspired whale, feel free to share it! Add it to your favorite craft board on Pinterest or pass it along to another parent or teacher who could use an easy project. Every share helps more families find simple, creative fun.
