Earth Day Paper Plate
Earth Day Paper Plate is a cheerful and meaningful craft for kids to make while learning about caring for our world. This easy Earth Day craft uses simple supplies to turn a paper plate into a bright tree-and-earth display that is perfect for home, school, or classroom activities.
Supplies
- Paper plate
- Blue paint
- Paint brush
- Craft stick
- Brown marker
- Tissue paper
- Red tri-beads
- Foam hands
- Satin cord
- Scissors
- Tacky glue
- Black marker
Instructions
- Paint the paper plate blue to represent the Earth. Set it aside and let it dry completely.
- Color the craft stick brown with a marker to make the tree trunk. Glue it to the bottom center of the paper plate.
- Crumple small pieces of tissue paper and glue them above the craft stick to form the tree leaves.
- Glue the red tri-beads onto the tissue paper tree to look like little apples or decorations.
- Glue the foam hands around the outside edge of the paper plate. If you do not have foam hands, you can cut hand shapes from construction paper instead.
- Write “Earth Day” on the hands with a marker.
- Cut a piece of satin cord and form it into a loop. Glue it to the back of the plate so the craft can be hung up for display.
Fun Facts
Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22.
The first Earth Day was held in 1970.
Trees help clean the air and give animals places to live.
Recycling, reusing, and planting are all great ways kids can help the planet.
Patterns, Templates and Printables
You can use store-bought foam hands or trace your own handprint templates onto craft foam or construction paper for this project.
Teacher Friendly Educational Extension
This Earth Day craft works well as a classroom activity while talking about trees, recycling, and caring for nature. Ask students to write one promise on each hand shape, such as “Turn off lights,” “Recycle paper,” or “Plant a tree.” This turns the project into a creative Earth Day display and a simple writing activity at the same time.
Supplies
Paper Plate
Tissue Paper
Tri-Beads
Craft Stick
Foam hands
Paint
Paint Brush
Cord
Scissors
Marker
Tacky Glue
Instructions
Paint a paper plate blue, let dry.
Paint or color the craft stick with a brown marker. Glue the craft stick onto the bottom of the plate.
Take pieces of tissue paper crumble them and glue on top of the craft stick to look like a tree.
Glue red tri-beads onto the tree.
Glue the foam hands around the edge of the paper plate. You can make some out of construction paper.
With a marker write "Earth Day" on the hands.
Take a piece of satin cord and make a loop.
Glue to the back of the plate to hang.
Contributor
These projects are created by Terri, Betty, Jamie or one of the talented staff members at MakingFriends.com. They have been created exclusively for publication on FreeKidsCrafts.com with supplies you'll be able to find around your house.
Love this! Because I have a very limited supply list that I can use, I am always looking for ideas that I can tweek to make cute, but different crafts. This will be perfect!