Pot of Gold Paper Plate Craft

A large paper plate, a splash of black paint, and a handful of sunny yellow details come together to create this bold Pot of Gold paper plate craft just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. With layered cardstock coins, fluffy pom poms, and a shamrock finished with a twine bow, this project is simple to prep and makes a cheerful seasonal display.

Materials for This St. Patrick’s Day Pot Craft

Before you begin, gather your supplies and print the patterns. Having everything ready will make the assembly process smooth and simple.

Materials:

• Paper Plate, Large
• Acrylic Craft Paint – Black
• Cardstock – Black, Bright Green, Medium Green, Light Yellow, Medium Yellow, Dark Yellow
• Pom Poms – Yellow
• Natural Jute Twine
• Button, Green
• Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Patterns

Once your materials are prepared, follow the step-by-step directions below.

How to Make a Paper Plate Pot of Gold

Follow each step carefully and allow paint to dry completely before moving on to assembly.

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

Gather your supplies. Prepare your workspace and make sure all materials are within reach before beginning.

Image of the supplies needed to make a Paper Plate Pot of Gold craft including a white paper plate, black acrylic paint, paintbrush, scissors, glue gun, yellow pom poms, green and yellow buttons, green, black, and yellow cardstock, pencil, and twine arranged on a wood background.

Step 2: Fold and Cut the Paper Plate

Fold over the bottom edge of the paper plate approximately one inch and score firmly. Cut along the fold with scissors to create the base pot shape.

Image showing a paper plate folded and cut to form the base of the pot shape with scissors nearby.

Step 3: Paint the Pot

Basecoat the outside of the paper plate with black acrylic craft paint. Let dry completely and apply a second coat if necessary.

Image of the paper plate painted black with a paintbrush and bottle of black acrylic paint next to it.

Step 4: Trace the Patterns

Download and print the pot of gold patterns, then cut them out with scissors. Trace the pot legs twice and the rim once onto black cardstock. Trace the large shamrock once onto medium green cardstock and the small shamrock once onto bright green cardstock. Trace the coins six times onto light yellow and dark yellow cardstock, and trace the pile of gold onto medium yellow cardstock with a pencil.

Image showing cardstock pieces traced with pot, shamrock, and gold coin patterns along with cut yellow paper circles and black pot shapes.

Step 5: Cut Out the Pieces

Cut out all patterns, making sure to cut inside the traced lines for a clean, finished project.

Image showing cardstock pieces cut out with pot, shamrock, and gold coin patterns along with cut yellow paper circles and black pot shapes.

Step 6: Assemble the Pot

Attach the legs and rim to the pot using 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.

Image of the pot base assembled with the black paper strip glued across the top edge.

Step 7: Add the Gold

Glue the pile of gold onto the top back of the paper plate pot. Randomly attach the light yellow and dark yellow coins to the pile of gold using a glue gun and glue sticks.

Image of yellow paper circles layered on top of the pot to create gold coins.

Step 8: Add Texture

Glue an assortment of yellow pom poms to the pot of gold using a glue gun and glue sticks.

Image showing yellow pom poms being glued on top of the paper gold coins for texture.

Step 9: Attach the Shamrock

Glue the bright green shamrock to the medium green shamrock, then attach it to the pot of gold with a glue gun and glue sticks.

Image of a layered green shamrock being glued onto the front of the pot.

Step 10: Finish with Twine and Button

Tie natural jute twine into a small bow. Attach the bow to a green button, then glue the button to the center of the shamrock.

Image of twine tied into a bow and attached to the center of the shamrock.

Then hang your finished pot of gold up for everyone to see!

Image of the completed Paper Plate Pot of Gold craft featuring layered gold coins, yellow pom poms, and a green shamrock on the front.

Grab This Craftivity

Looking to extend this activity? Grab the coordinating Pot of Gold Craftivity in my shop. This resource pairs perfectly with the hands-on craft and provides ready-to-use components to enhance your St. Patrick’s Day plans.

Please Share This Pot of Gold Paper Plate Craft

Did you make this Paper Plate Pot of Gold craft with your kiddos? I would love to see your finished creations. Share your projects and tag me so I can celebrate your St. Patrick’s Day fun with you.