Paper Plate Porthole Craft for Kids
This paper plate porthole craft is perfect for little pirates and ocean explorers! A Dollar Store paper plate transforms into a golden porthole window looking out onto a colorful underwater world, complete with fish, shells, coral, and even some fun bubble details.
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Materials for This Paper Plate Porthole Craft
Before you start, gather a few simple supplies. Most items can be found at the Dollar Store, making this a wonderfully budget-friendly pirate and ocean craft for kids.
Print-ready templates and step-by-step instructions.
Less prep, more crafting.
Once your supplies are ready, it's time to look through the porthole!
I stumbled upon this paper plate aquarium craft that reminds me so much of this porthole craft. If your littles love this porthole craft, try out the aquarium version!
How to Make a Paper Plate Porthole Craft
This paper plate porthole craft comes together with painting, coloring, and assembling. Follow the steps below to create your adorable ocean porthole scene.
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
Gather all the supplies for this paper plate porthole craft. Having everything ready before you begin makes the process smooth and enjoyable.
Step 2: Cut the Porthole Frame
Cut out the center of one paper plate with scissors, leaving just the rim to create the porthole frame.
Step 3: Paint the Porthole Frame
Basecoat the porthole frame paper plate with golden yellow acrylic craft paint. Set aside to dry and apply a second coat if necessary.
Step 4: Paint the Ocean Scene Plate
Basecoat a second paper plate with light blue acrylic craft paint, then swirl in a few brushstrokes of medium blue to simulate gentle ocean waves.
Step 5: Print the Ocean Cutouts
Download and print the porthole pattern sheet onto white cardstock. It has fish, shells, coral, and sea grass to color.
Step 6: Color the Ocean Cutouts
Color in all the images with colored pencils, crayons, or markers.
Step 7: Cut Out the Ocean Pieces
Cut out all the ocean pattern pieces with scissors.
Step 8: Arrange the Ocean Scene
Arrange and dry fit the ocean cutouts onto the blue paper plate. Once happy with the placement, attach each piece using a glue stick.
Step 9: Add the Bubble Details
Dip a new pencil eraser into medium blue acrylic craft paint and stamp small bubbles above each fish on the blue plate.
Step 10: Assemble the Porthole
Attach the golden yellow porthole frame plate on top of the blue ocean scene plate with a glue gun and glue sticks.
Step 11: Add the Porthole Bolts
To finish, attach 6 buttons around the edge of the golden porthole frame to create the bolts that hold the porthole together.
All done!
Your adorable paper plate porthole craft is ready for a pirate adventure on the high seas!
We'd love to see yours! Snap a photo and share it in the comments.
Grab the Paper Plate Porthole Craftivity
Want to make this pirate craft even easier? The Paper Plate Porthole Craftivity includes printable patterns and a mini ebook with full step-by-step instructions — great for pirate-themed parties, ocean unit studies, homeschool, or summer crafting.
More Pirate and Ocean Crafts Your Kids Will Love
If your kiddos had fun making this paper plate porthole craft, don't stop the fun here! Below you will find some more of our favorite pirate and ocean crafts we have shared on the site.
See all Pirate Activities for Kids →
Please Share This Paper Plate Porthole Craft
Did your little pirates love making this paper plate porthole craft? We'd love to see your ocean scenes! Share on social media and tag us, and pin this project to your pirate crafts board on Pinterest!
