Paper Plate Ship’s Wheel Pirate Craft for Kids
Take the helm and let kids steer their own pirate adventures with this paper plate ship’s wheel pirate craft.
This paper plate ship’s wheel craft is an exciting pirate craft for kids that transforms a paper plate into a classic pirate prop.
Using a free printable pattern, kids can create a detailed ship’s wheel that’s perfect for pretend sailing and imaginative play.
This is an easy pirate craft for kids of all ages and works especially well for kids who love pretend play and storytelling.
Pirate loving kids will enjoy “steering” their ship and acting out pirate adventures.
It’s also a great craft for boys and girls and works well in classrooms, parties, and camp settings.
When to Make this Pirate Craft
- Pirate party activity: This paper plate ship’s wheel is perfect for a pirate party craft station. Kids can make their wheels and use them during pirate games or pretend play.
- Pirate theme study: This craft fits seamlessly into a pirate theme study and pairs well with lessons about ships, navigation, and pirate life.
- Pirate loving kids at home: For pirate loving kids, this ship’s wheel adds excitement to everyday playtime and encourages creative storytelling.
- Easy preschool classroom craft: This is an easy preschool classroom craft with simple steps that can be adapted for younger children with pre-cut pieces.
- Summer camp craft: This ship’s wheel is a great summer camp craft, especially during pirate or ocean-themed weeks, and keeps kids engaged and imaginative.
- Summer craft idea: This is a fun summer craft idea that leads naturally into imaginative play long after crafting is done.
Why You’ll Love this Paper Plate Pirate Craft
You’ll love how this craft encourages hands-on creativity and imaginative play. It’s simple to prepare, uses common materials, and creates a finished piece kids can actively use in pretend play rather than just display.
Tips and Tricks for this Pirate Craft
- Use crayons or markers instead of paint to keep mess to a minimum.
- Let kids choose their own colors instead of sticking to traditional brown tones.
- Add embellishments like glitter, sequins, buttons, or stickers to personalize each wheel.
- Swap craft paper for craft foam or felt to make the wheel sturdier.
- Pre-cut pieces for preschoolers to make the craft more manageable.
How to Make a Pirate Ship Wheel Craft
Gather your supplies, print the free pattern, and follow the directions below to create this easy paper plate ship’s wheel pirate craft.
Materials:
- Paper Plate
- Jumbo Craft Sticks
- Black Self-Adhesive Rhinestones
- Black Craft Paper
- Craft Paint – Medium Brown & Dark Brown
- Craft Glue
- Paintbrush
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Printed Pattern
Instructions:
Paint the outside of the paper plate with medium brown craft paint. Set aside to dry and apply a second coat, if necessary.
Paint eight jumbo craft sticks with dark brown craft paint. Set aside to dry and apply a second coat, if necessary.
Cut the circular center from the paper plate with scissors.
Download and print the ships wheel patterns, then cut out with scissors.
Trace the axel circle once and the handle accents eight times onto the medium brown paper plate.
Trace the center accent circle once on black cardstock with a pencil.
Cut out all the patterns with scissors.
Place the medium brown circle flat on your work surface. Attach a jumbo craft stick at 12 o’clock, 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock, and 9 o’clock with glue.
This creates a plus sign pattern. Glue a jumbo craft stick in between to create an X pattern.
TIP: We used a glue gun and glue sticks for this craft tutorial.
You can use liquid craft glue for this project, but you will have to wait for it to dry.
Alternately, for less mess you can use glue dots or double sided tape.
Flip the ships wheel over on your work surface.
Attach the paper plate to the craft sticks with glue.
TIP: We used a glue gun and glue sticks for this craft tutorial.
You can use liquid craft glue for this project, but you will have to wait for it to dry.
Alternately, for less mess you can use glue dots or double sided tape.
Add one of the handle accents to each of the craft sticks where they meet the edge of the paper plate using glue.
To finish, glue the black circle to the center of the medium brown circle. Add a black rhinestone to the end of each handle.
This paper plate ship’s wheel craft is a fun and interactive pirate craft for kids that supports creativity, imagination, and pretend play. It’s a great choice for pirate parties, classrooms, summer camps, or home crafting.
