The Very Best Summer Paper Plate Crafts for Kids

You won’t believe all the summer paper plate crafts I’ve discovered! From mermaids and pirates to flowers and summer fruit, there are so many crafts to choose from you won’t know where to start! Which one will you add to your summer activities?

Whether you’re trying to escape the heat or you’re looking for a rainy day craft to do with your preschoolers, these paper plate crafts are perfect for summer afternoons. Many can be done with craft supplies you’ve already got on hand.

Summer Paper Plate Crafts

Whether your kids make these one at a time or they make a whole garden full, they’ll love these brightly colored paper plate flowers. They’re perfect for summer!

If you’re learning about butterflies this summer, be sure to have your kids make this butterfly life cycle paper plate craft.

With a little paint and crepe paper, your little ones can make a paper plate watermelon with fingerprint seeds.

Here’s another fun paper plate watermelon your kids can make with tissue paper and a glue stick.

This paper plate pineapple craft is fun and easy for summer!

Have your kids ever seen a pufferfish at the aquarium? They’ll get a kick out of making their very own paper plate pufferfish. Add them to your fish, ocean, or sea life studies this summer.

Kids will work on fine motor skills as they create a paper plate sun craft that is perfect for summer and works well with the study of weather.

Whether you’re reading The Rainbow Fish with your kids or you’re looking for a craft to add to your ocean theme, this paper plate rainbow fish is perfect!

This paper plate rainbow sun catcher will look wonderful hanging in your window this summer.

This beachy starfish ocean paper plate craft makes use of a variety of artist tools that your kids will love exploring.

This paper plate garden is perfect for summer crafting. Add it to your study of flowers and seeds, or use it as a time filler on a day that’s too hot to play outside.

Summer makes me think of the ocean and ocean-related crafts. These rocking paper plate submarines are so much fun!

Add this paper plate ice cream craft to your summer plans, and then add them to your kiddo’s pretend play area.

W is for watermelon, and here is another creative way to make a paper plate watermelon.

If your kids love watching butterflies flit around the flowers in your yard, they’ll enjoy making this easy paper plate butterfly craft.

Your preschoolers will love dressing up their favorite stuffed animals with a DIY paper plate scuba mask. What kinds of summer stories can they dream up?

Little ones can recreate their own “under the sea” scene in a simple paper plate fish bowl.

Grab a couple of paper plates and some paint, and your kids can make a cheerful sunshine paper plate craft.

Paper plate nature silhouettes can help young children notice patterns, textures, and colors around them.

Brighten up your day with a handmade paper plate sunshine wand!

Hang this paper plate mermaid twirler outside so you and the kids can watch it twirl in the wind.

Your little ones can work on their fine motor skills as they make a woven paper plate bee craft this summer.

Be sure to print one of these scenes so your kids can make an interactive moving paper plate porthole craft.

Kids will love making this paper plate shark puppet to act out their favorite shark-themed stories.

Here’s another fun rocking paper plate craft. This rocking paper plate crab also has pincers that open and close!

This paper plate rainbow garden makes use of many craft supplies – stickers, glitter, colored sand, and more – to create a one of a kind 3D summer craft.

I love 3D collage art. This one, a paper plate collage mermaid, is perfect for summer or crafting at the beach.

Need another mermaid craft to do this summer? Have your kids try making a rocking paper plate mermaid.

Have your kids make these cute spotted jellyfish while you teach them about these unique ocean animals.

Which of these amazing summer crafts for toddlers and preschoolers will you try first?

Round Out Your Unit with These Activities

If you love using peg dogs in your imaginative play area, you don’t want to miss these eco-friendly Summer Peg Dolls decorated with hand painted summery flowers!

Storytelling is part of the learning process. Add some summer story stones to your reading and literacy centers.