Paper Plate Nativity Craft
Create a simple and meaningful Christmas keepsake with this adorable paper plate nativity craft for kids.
This Christ-centered Christmas craft is an easy nativity craft for kids of all ages, with a free printable pattern included to make things even simpler.
Using just a few basic supplies like paper plates, construction paper, scissors, and glue, children can create Mary holding baby Jesus alongside Joseph.
It’s a wonderful keepsake christmas craft that can be displayed year after year and makes a perfect advent craft.
This is one of those Christmas paper plate crafts that’s versatile and fun, whether made at home, in a classroom, or at Sunday school.
Nativity crafts for Christmas like this one give children the opportunity to create something special that can be displayed as a decoration, given as a heartfelt handmade gift, or even used for imaginative play during the holiday season.
You can add magnets to the back to display the craft on the refrigerator, or attach a ribbon loop to turn it into Christmas tree ornaments.
When to make this Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus craft
- Sunday school lessons: This craft is a wonderful hands-on activity that ties directly into the story of Christmas, making it perfect for Sunday school classrooms.
- Advent celebrations: During Advent, this craft provides children with a way to focus on the true meaning of Christmas while creating a keepsake.
- At home during Christmas break: Parents can use this project as a festive way to spend quality time together with their children.
- Christmas parties or playdates: This craft doubles as both an activity and a take-home favor for kids to enjoy.
- Family keepsake making: Families can enjoy sitting down together and creating nativity ornaments or decorations to cherish for years.
Why You’ll Love this Nativity Christmas Craft:
You’ll love how easy and inexpensive this craft is to put together, yet how meaningful the finished project becomes.
It’s simple enough for toddlers and preschoolers, but also engaging for older children who can take more care with the details.
The free printable pattern ensures success for all ages, while the end result makes a keepsake you’ll want to display year after year.
Plus, because it’s a Christ-centered Christmas craft, it helps children stay focused on the true story of Christmas during a season filled with distractions.
Tips and Tricks for making the Nativity Craft:
- Start with colored paper plates to save time, or let kids color plain plates with crayons or markers.
- Pre-cut pieces for toddlers and preschoolers to make the craft more manageable.
- Add glitter, sequins, or other embellishments if kids want to get creative.
- Write the child’s name and year on the back to make it an extra special keepsake to display in the future.
Ready to get started? Follow the step-by-step instructions below using the free printable pattern to make your own paper plate nativity craft with Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus.
How to Make a Paper Plate Mary, Joseph, & Baby Jesus
MATERIALS:
- Paper plates
- Green and pink paint (or colors of your choice)
- Paint brushes
- Construction papers
- Scissors
- Glue
- Markers
INSTRUCTIONS:
Cut a paper plate in half, then paint it green.
Fold both corners in to make a triangle, secure the fold with glue.
Cut two strips of rectangle from green paper.
Glue the green strips to either side of the folded paper plate.
Download and print out the nativity template. Cut out the pattern pieces.
Cut the hair template, attach it to a white circle.
Draw face details on the circle with a marker.
Then cut a green circle slightly larger than the face.
Glue the face to a green circle.
Glue the face to the top corner of the paper plate.
Repeat the process to make Mary but instead of green, use pink
paint and paper.
Cut the large oval from yellow paper, cut a slit in the yellow paper as shown below. Cut the small oval from white paper.
Slide the white oval through the slit in the yellow paper.
Use glue to secure the face on to the yellow oval.
Add a face and details with markers.
Cut the staff from brown paper.
Glue the staff to Joseph and the baby Jesus onto Mary.
This paper plate nativity craft is the perfect way to celebrate the season with a hands-on activity that combines creativity, faith, and fun. Whether you use it as a decoration, an ornament, a refrigerator magnet, or a handmade gift, it will bring joy to your Christmas celebrations for years to come.
More nativity craft ideas you’ll love:
- No-Sew Felt Nativity Ornament Craft for Kids – a soft and sweet keepsake ornament.
- Nativity Craft for Christmas – a simple paper craft perfect for younger kids.
- Nativity Puppets – fun for storytelling and imaginative play.
- Popsicle Stick Nativity Craft DIY Nativity Christmas Ornament – a popsicle stick ornament kids will love.
- Paper Plate Nativity Craft – another variation of a meaningful nativity paper plate craft.
