Paper Plate Firefly Craft for Kids
This paper plate firefly craft is such a fun summer craft for kids! A painted paper plate body gets a glittery glowing bottom, a big wiggle eye, and tinsel pom pom antennae. It has a few more steps than most, so it's a great one for a long summer afternoon.
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Materials for This Paper Plate Firefly Craft
Print-ready templates and step-by-step instructions.
Less prep, more crafting.
- A large paper plate Shop
- Cardstock in yellow and light blue Shop
- Craft paint in black and pink Shop
- A wiggle eye (20mm) Shop
- A black chenille stem Shop
- Yellow tinsel pom poms Shop
- A white paint pen Shop
- Iridescent glitter glue Shop
- Glue gun and glue sticks Shop
- Round sponge dabber Shop
- Scissors Shop
- Pencil Shop
- A black permanent marker Shop
How to Make a Paper Plate Firefly Craft
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
Grab everything on the list above and lay it out, this one moves fast once you get started.
Step 2: Cut the Body
Print the patterns, trace the firefly's body onto the plate, and cut it out.
Step 3: Paint the Body
Paint the outside of that body shape black and let it dry.
Step 4: Cut the Bottom and Wings
Trace and cut a bottom piece from yellow cardstock and two wings from light blue cardstock.
Step 5: Attach the Yellow Bottom
Glue the yellow bottom onto the lower portion of the black body.
Step 6: Add the Eye
Add the wiggle eye.
Step 7: Stamp On a Cheek
Stamp pink cheeks with the sponge dabber and let dry.
Step 8: Detail and Attach the Wings
Outline and draw a wing pattern onto each light blue wing with the black marker, then glue a wing to each side of the body.
Step 9: Add the Antennae
Bend the chenille stem in half and glue a yellow pom pom to each end, then glue the bent point to the back top center of the body for antennae.
Step 10: Draw the Smile
Draw a smile with the white paint pen.
Step 11: Add the Glow
Finish by tracing iridescent glitter glue along the edge of the yellow bottom section and letting it dry completely. This is the step that makes it worth the wait, that glow really does look lit up once it's dry.
All done!
Your paper plate firefly is ready to glow!
We'd love to see yours! Snap a photo and share it in the comments.
Grab the Printable
Want to make this camping craft even easier? The Paper Plate Firefly Craftivity has the printable template and step-by-step instructions.
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Please Share This Paper Plate Firefly Craft
Worth the wait for that glowing bottom edge, share this one with a friend planning a summer craft session.
