Paper Plate Whale Craft for Kids
This Paper Plate Whale Craft is a fun and simple way for kids to create an adorable whale using basic supplies and a whole lot of imagination.
This whale craft is an easy, hands-on activity that kids of all ages can enjoy.
With a paper plate craft base and a free printable pattern, children can make a cute whale that works for both learning and creative play.
The simple shapes and steps make it especially approachable for young kids, while older children can personalize their whale with extra details and decorations.
This craft is perfect for families, classrooms, and homeschool settings.
Preschoolers will enjoy painting, gluing, and assembling the pieces, while elementary-aged kids can explore textures, colors, and design choices.
It’s a great arctic animal craft for kids when learning about cold ocean habitats, and it also works beautifully as an ocean paper plate craft for warm-weather themes and ocean lessons.
When to Make this Whale Paper Plate Craft
This craft works well as a winter paper plate craft during an arctic or polar unit study. Whales are fascinating animals to explore when learning about cold oceans and arctic environments, making this a great visual and hands-on activity.
It’s also ideal for an ocean unit study. As an ocean study craft, kids can learn about whales, ocean habitats, and marine life while creating a project they can proudly display.
This project is a fun beach craft for kids during the summer months. It’s a great indoor activity for beach-themed days, ocean camps, or summer learning when kids are excited about sea animals.
Because the steps are simple, it’s also an easy paper plate craft for preschool classrooms, playdates, library programs, or quiet afternoons at home any time of year.
Why You’ll Love the Whale Craft
You’ll love this craft because it’s flexible, low-prep, and works for so many themes.
It can be an easy winter craft for arctic studies or a bright and cheerful ocean paper plate craft for summer fun.
The supplies are simple, the printable pattern saves time, and the finished whales are cute enough to use as wall art or bulletin board displays.
Tips and Tricks for the Paper Plate Craft
For toddlers and younger preschoolers, pre-cut the pattern pieces so they can focus on decorating and gluing.
To reduce mess, swap paint for crayons or markers. This is especially helpful in classroom or group settings.
Add texture to your whale by gluing on crumpled tissue paper, glitter, or pompoms to create a fun ocean look.
If you don’t have wiggle eyes, simply draw or paint the eyes directly onto the paper plate.
How to Make a Paper Plate Whale
Gather your supplies, print the free pattern, and follow the step-by-step directions below to create this simple and engaging craft.
Materials:
- Paper Plate
- Wiggle Eyes
- Craft Paper – Bright Blue & Light Blue
- Craft Paint – Bright Blue, Pink, & White
- Craft Glue
- Paintbrush
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Black Marker
- Printed Pattern
Instructions:
Fold the paper plate so the bottom edge meets the top edge of the circular indent and 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 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 paper.
Trace the water spout once onto light blue paper with a pencil.
You could also use colored craft foam, construction paper, cardstock, or craft felt for this project.
Cut out the patterns with scissors.
Attach the tail fluke and pectoral fins 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.
Glue two wiggle eyes to the right and left side of the whale’s face.
Paint the tail fluke with bright blue craft paint. Set aside to dry.
Stamp a dotted pattern on the tail fluke by dipping the end of a paintbrush in white craft paint.
Create cheeks by dipping a round sponge dabber in pink 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 paper water spout.
To finish, glue the water spout to the whale’s head. Draw a half circle at the base of the water spout with a black marker.
This whale craft is an engaging project that fits beautifully into both winter and summer themes. Whether you’re using it as an arctic animal craft for kids, an ocean study craft, or a fun beach craft for kids, this easy paper plate craft is sure to be a favorite for kids of all ages.
