Paper Plate Compass Craft for Kids

This paper plate compass craft is a fun camping craft kids can actually use! A painted paper plate gets labeled with north, south, east, and west, and the arrows spin on a metal brad in the middle.

Jump to Supplies Steps Printable More crafts

Materials for This Paper Plate Compass Craft

Love this craft?

Print-ready templates and step-by-step instructions.
Less prep, more crafting.

$3.00Get the printable

• A paper plate Shop
• (plus a spare discarded one for a spacing guide)
• A metal brad Shop
• Cardstock in red and yellow Shop
• Craft paint in blue and black Shop
• Glue gun and glue sticks Shop
• Paintbrush Shop
• Scissors Shop
• Pencil Shop
• A black permanent marker Shop

How to Make a Paper Plate Compass Craft

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

Get everything from the list above within arm's reach before you dive in.

Step 2: Paint the Plate

Paint the inside of the plate blue and let it dry.

Step 3: Mark the Directions

Using half of a spare plate as a straight edge, mark the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions, plus the exact center point, with a pencil.

Step 4: Label the Compass Points

Label those four points N, E, S, and W with the black marker, then add NE, SE, SW, and NW in between them.

Step 5: Paint the Outline

Paint a black outline around the edge of the plate and let it dry.

Step 6: Cut the Arrows

Print the compass patterns, then trace and cut the directional arrow once from red cardstock and once from yellow cardstock.

Step 7: Outline the Arrows

Outline both arrows with the black marker.

Step 8: Poke the Center Holes

Poke a small hole through the center of each arrow and through the center of the plate.

Step 9: Attach the Brad

Thread the brad through the red arrow, then the yellow arrow, then through the plate.

Step 10: Secure the Back

Flip the compass over and spread the brad's arms flat against the back to hold everything in place. Give the arrow a spin, that's the whole payoff of this craft right there.

All done!

Your paper plate compass is ready for adventure!

We'd love to see yours! Snap a photo and share it in the comments.

Save on PinterestTag @bethaverillShare your photo

Grab the Printable

Want to make this camping craft even easier? The Paper Plate Compass Craftivity has the printable template and step-by-step instructions.

‹›

Printable for this craft

Compass Paper Plate Craft - Camping Craft

$3.00

Add to cart

More Camping Crafts Your Kids Will Love

Paper Plate S'more Craft for KidsPaper Plate Camp Lantern Craft for KidsPaper Plate Camper Craft for KidsPaper Plate Campfire Craft for KidsPaper Plate Firefly Craft for KidsPaper Plate American Flag Craft for KidsPaper Plate Patriotic Gnome Craft for KidsPaper Plate Patriotic Flower Craft for KidsPaper Plate Patriotic Butterfly Craft for KidsPaper Plate Uncle Sam Legs Craft for KidsPaper Plate Uncle Sam Craft for KidsEasy Summer Crafts and Activities for KidsCherry Popsicle Stick Craft for KidsPopsicle Craft Stick Craft for KidsStrawberry Popsicle Stick Craft for KidsWater Bead and Shaving Cream Sensory BinLemonade Slime RecipePaper Plate Sunshine CraftPineapple Popsicle Stick CraftPineapple Craft Stick ProjectTriangle Watermelon Popsicle Stick CraftWatermelon Craft Stick ProjectIce Cream Craft Stick ProjectFireworks Handprint CraftSun Handprint CraftEdible Marshmallow Slime Recipe for KidsSand Slime Recipe for KidsColor Changing UV Slime Recipe for KidsJune Preschool Themes You'll Love to Work WithEpic End of Year School Party Ideas for Elementary SchoolsExploring the Butterfly Life Cycle through Write the RoomPatriotic Invitation to Play: Exploring Creativity with Play DoughHow to Make a Colorful Beach Ball Paper Plate Craft with Your KidsOcean Animals Cut and PasteSuper Easy Paper Plate Fish Craft for PreschoolersFeelings and Emotions Recognition with Sharks for PreschoolersJellyfish Counting Clip Cards SetSea Shell Counting Clip Cards PrintableEssential Skills Preschoolers Need to Know Before Kindergarten This AutumnAmazing Preschool Summer Bucket List IdeasFourth of July Firework Painting Activity for PreschoolersBored Jar Activity Printables to Spice up your Preschool ActivitiesOcean Count and Clip Cards for Preschoolers Summer LearningThese Beach-Inspired Lacing Cards Will Keep Your Kids Occupied This SummerTracing Lines Worksheets for Summer Preschool LearningAdorable Beach Printable Memory Matching Game for Family Game NightSummer Counting Mats for Toddlers and PreschoolersFun and Silly Printable Reading Glasses to Encourage Kids this SummerOcean Movement Cards for PreschoolersSummer Alphabet Learning Beach Ball Matching GameMermaid Alphabet Coloring SheetsAdorable Crab Basic Shape Practice for Summer PreschoolSummer Preschool Worksheets so Awesome You'll Never be Bored Again

See all Summer Activities for Kids →

Please Share This Paper Plate Compass Craft

A craft that actually works is worth passing along, share this one with a friend planning a camping unit.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.