Rainbow with a Pot of Gold Paper Plate Craft
Turn an ordinary paper plate into a colorful rainbow scene complete with a shamrock and a pot of gold. This bright and cheerful pot of gold paper plate craft is perfect for St. Patrick’s Day and can be completed in about 30 minutes.
With simple supplies and bold rainbow paint, this project makes a fun seasonal decoration for the classroom or home.
Jump to Supplies Steps Printable More crafts
Materials for This Rainbow Pot of Gold Craft
This project uses basic craft supplies and a printable pattern to create the shamrock and pot details.
Print-ready templates and step-by-step instructions.
Less prep, more crafting.
Once your supplies are ready, it’s time to begin.
How to Make a Paper Plate Rainbow Pot of Gold
Follow the steps below to create your rainbow, shamrock, and pot of gold.
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
Gather all supplies and prepare your workspace.
Step 2: Fold and Cut the Paper Plate
Fold the paper plate at the one third mark by lining up the bottom edge with the bottom edge of the circular indent. Crease firmly.
Cut the paper plate along the fold with scissors.
Step 3: Paint the Rainbow
Basecoat the inside of the paper plate in arching stripes of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple acrylic craft paint. Set aside to dry completely and apply a second coat if necessary.
Step 4: Cut the Center of the Rainbow
Cut the remaining white section of the paper plate from the center of the rainbow to create an arch shape.
Step 5: Trace the Patterns
Download and print the rainbow patterns, then cut them out with scissors. Trace the shamrock once onto green cardstock, the pot once onto black cardstock, and the gold once onto yellow cardstock with a pencil.
You may also use construction paper, colored craft foam, or craft felt for this project.
Step 6: Cut Out the Shapes
Cut out the traced shapes, making sure to cut inside the lines for a clean finished project.
Step 7: Decorate the Shamrock
Attach assorted green buttons to the shamrock with a glue gun and glue sticks.
You could also use pom poms, stickers, or fingerprints dipped in paint to decorate the shamrock.
Step 8: Create the Pot of Gold
Glue the gold piece to the top of the pot. Attach assorted yellow buttons to the pot of gold with a glue gun and glue sticks.
Tip: You can use liquid craft glue for this project, but you will need to allow drying time.
Step 9: Assemble the Craft
Attach the shamrock to the left side and the pot of gold to the right side of the rainbow using a glue gun and glue sticks.
All done!
Then hang your finished craft up for all to see!
We'd love to see yours! Snap a photo and share it in the comments.
Grab This Craftivity
Looking to extend this activity? Grab the coordinating Rainbow Pot of Gold Craftivity for a complete, ready-to-use classroom resource.
More St. Patrick’s Day Crafts Your Kids Will Love
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Please Share This Rainbow Pot of Gold Craft
Did you make this Paper Plate Rainbow 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.
