Paper Plate Gnome Craft
Bring a little whimsy to craft time with this adorable gnome paper plate craft, complete with a printable hat pattern and plenty of room for creativity.
This gnome craft uses a paper plate as the face, cotton balls for a fluffy beard, and craft paper for a colorful, pointed hat. Paint is used to add skin tone to the face and to decorate the hat, while extra craft paper details help complete the look. The included printable pattern makes creating the hat simple, and the tutorial walks you through two different hat styles—but you can decorate them any way you like. Whether you choose stripes, polka dots, floral designs, or something entirely your own, your gnome’s personality will shine through.
Preschoolers, elementary-aged kids, and even older children will enjoy making these gnomes. Younger kids will love the painting and gluing, while older kids can get extra creative with hat designs, color choices, and embellishments. The cotton ball beard is especially fun for little hands to work with, and the step-by-step instructions make it easy for everyone to follow along.
This craft works beautifully for seasonal or holiday themes—think spring garden gnomes, festive Christmas gnomes, or colorful summer gnomes. It’s also a fun activity for a rainy day, a camp craft session, or even a themed birthday party. Gnomes are a versatile design that can be adapted for any time of year, making this paper plate craft one you can revisit again and again with new ideas.
You’ll love this gnome paper plate craft because it combines easy-to-find materials with plenty of room for customization. You can follow the tutorial exactly or choose your own color scheme and decorations to make a gnome that’s truly your own. The free printable hat pattern keeps the process simple while still giving kids the freedom to decorate it any way they imagine.
Tips for making the gnome craft:
- Instead of paint, use markers or crayons to color the face or add hat designs.
- No cotton balls? Use tissue paper, yarn, or felt for the beard.
- Swap out craft paper for patterned scrapbook paper for a more decorative hat.
- Use craft foam or craft felt instead of craft paper for the gnome’s hat and nose.
- Add embellishments like sequins, stickers, or glitter glue to make the hat stand out.
- Craft glue works well for assembling pieces, but a glue gun is great for quick drying (best for adult use).
Now that you’ve seen how fun and versatile this craft can be, gather your supplies and follow the tutorial below. The printable pattern makes it easy to get started, and the hat decorating possibilities are endless.
How to Make a Paper Plate Gnome
Materials:
- Paper Plate
- Cotton Balls
- Craft Paint – we used blue
- Cardstock or Craft Paper– we used bright blue, kelly green, & tan
- Craft Glue or a Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
- Sponge Dabber
- Paintbrush
- Scissors
- Black Marker
- Printed Paper Plate Gnome Pattern
Instructions:
Fold the paper plate in half, score firmly. Then cut the paper plate in half with scissors.
Attach cotton balls to both halves of paper plates with glue.
Continue adding cotton balls until the beard is full.
Download and print the Gnome Patterns, then cut out with scissors.
Trace the hat once onto bright blue cardstock and once onto kelly green cardstock.
Cut out the Gnome hat patterns with scissors.
Cut random strips of kelly green cardstock with scissors. Attach green stripes to the blue gnome hat with glue.
Flip the blue hat over, and trim any excess green cardstock with scissors.
Using bright blue craft paint, apply polka dots to the green gnome hat with a round sponge dabber. Let paint dry.
Trace the gnome nose pattern twice onto tan cardstock with a pencil.
Cut out the Gnome nose patterns with scissors making sure to cut inside the traced lines for a clean, finished project.
Attach the gnome hats to the top edge of the cut paper plates with glue.
To finish, glue the gnome noses to the center of the gnome beards, overlapping the gnome hats.
With its playful design, fluffy beard, and customizable hat, this gnome paper plate craft is sure to become a favorite project for kids of all ages.
