Whale Paper Plate Craft
This whale paper plate craft came from one of those days where the kids wanted to make “just one quick craft,” and suddenly we were painting ocean creatures like it was our full-time job. Honestly, this one turned out way cuter than I expected…a painted half-plate with fins and a little water spout shouldn’t work as well as it does, but here we are.
It’s easy, it’s fun, and it doesn’t take a ton of supplies. Exactly the kind of craft that works on a random afternoon when you just need something simple to keep hands busy.
Materials You’ll Need for This Whale Paper Plate Craft
Round up your supplies so you’re not stopping mid-paint to hunt down a missing pair of scissors:
- Paper plate
- Wiggle eyes
- Bright blue and light blue cardstock
- Bright blue, pink, and white craft paint
- Glue gun and glue sticks
- Paintbrush
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Black permanent marker
- Whale template patterns
How to Make This Paper Plate Whale Craft
Ready to get crafting? Find the instructions below!
Whale Paper Plate Craft
Make this easy whale paper plate craft using paint, cardstock, and a simple template. A fun ocean-themed activity kids can finish in one sitting and customize with their own colors and details.
Materials
- Paper Plate
- Wiggle Eyes
- Cardstock – Bright Blue, Light Blue
- Craft Paint – Bright Blue, Pink, White
- Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
- Pencil
- Permanent Marker, Black
Tools
- Paintbrush
- Scissors
Instructions
- Gather all supplies.
- Fold the paper plate so the bottom edge meets the top edge of the circular indentand score firmly. Cut the paper plate with scissors along the folded line.
- Measure and mark a line 2”up from the bottom cut edge of the whale body. Paint the outside top of the paper plate with bright blue acrylic craft paint. Set aside to dry and apply a second coat, if necessary.
- Download and print the whale patterns, then cut out with scissors. Trace the tail fluke once and the pectoral fin twice onto bright blue cardstock. Trace the water spout once on to light blue cardstock with a pencil. You could also use colored craft foam,construction paper, or craft felt for this project.
- Cut out the patterns with scissors making sure to cut inside the traced lines for a clean, finished project.
- Attach the tail fluke and pectoral fins with 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.
- Paint the tail fluke with bright blue acrylic craft paint. Set aside to dry.
- Glue two wiggle eyes to the right and left side of the whale’s face.
- Stamp a dotted pattern on the tail fluke by dipping the end of a paintbrush in white acrylic craft paint.
- Create cheeks by dipping around sponge dabber in pink acrylic craft paint and stamping on either side of the whale’s eyes. Let paint dry.
- Using a black marker, draw a smile on the whale’s face, add vertical lines to the white portion of the whale, and draw a wiggly line around the light blue cardstock water spout.
- To finish, glue the waterspout to the whale’s head. Draw a half circle at the base of the water spout with a black marker.
- Hang your finished whale on display!
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Why Kids Will Love This Whale Paper Plate Craft
There’s something about turning a simple paper plate into a giant blue whale that kids find instantly fun. This craft gives them plenty of room to play with color and shape, and that little water spout on top becomes the star of the whole project.
Here’s what makes this craft a kid favorite:
- There’s room to experiment. Kids get to decide how bright, bold, or chill their whale should look.
- The steps feel doable. Painting, cutting, and gluing come together quickly without a ton of waiting around.
- The finished whale has charm. Between the fins, the tail, and the spout, it turns into a character they get proud of pretty fast.
No precision required and no perfectly straight lines. Just a fun ocean-themed craft that feels satisfying from start to finish.
Grab the Paper Plate Whale Craftivity Now!
Use code BLUE at checkout to get this packet for free.
Please Share This Whale Paper Plate Craft
If your kids enjoyed making their ocean-inspired whale, feel free to share it! Add it to your favorite craft board on Pinterest or pass it along to another parent or teacher who could use an easy project. Every share helps more families find simple, creative fun.
