Combine creativity with fun and play and try out this easy to make paper plate ant craft for preschoolers! Young children will love how their little ant puppet moves across the paper plate.
Ants are a fascinating insect and their scuttling ways never fail to bring wonder and joy to observing children. It therefore seems appropriate for our ant craft to incorporate movement; encouraging creativity, play and story-telling within the process.
The craft may also be used as an extension of a classroom study of Aesop’s The Ant and the Grasshopper fable.
To recreate this craft at home at school with your preschooler and young children, start by downloading the printable template.
How to Make the Paper Plate Ant Craft for Preschoolers
Materials:
- Paper Plate
- Paint
- Black, White, Red, Green and Pink Card Stock/Paper
- Googley Eyes
- Popsicle Stick
- Black Maker Pen
- Glue Stick
- Sticky Tape
Download the Ant Template:
The Ant template is available to members of the Arty Crafty Kids club.
Members will need to log in to access the templates: https://www.artycraftykids.com/product/paper-plate-ant-template/
Not A Member?
Watch the Video Tutorial:
Let’s Make Paper Plate the Ant Craft!
Paint Half of the Paper Plate Green
To begin, use the paper plate to create a “scene” for the puppet here.
Our example will features a sunny day, but Arty Crafty Kids may use this opportunity to create something entirely different for the puppets!
To recreate the “Sunny Day” scene, start by painting half of the paper plate green.
Paint the Other Half Blue and Decorate
Paint the other half of the paper plate blue and once dry, add a sun and white clouds. The white cloud could be painted or created with cotton wool balls.
Add Some Flowers
Draw some flowers onto a piece of colored paper, cut and glue to the grassy area of the paper plate.
Draw a Few Birds
Complete the scene by drawing a few “M” shapes to create the impression of birds flying in the sky.
Cut Out, Trace and Assemble the Ant Pieces
Next, trace all the ant elements from the template onto black cardstock or paper.
Assemble the ant’s head, glueing antennae, goggley eyes and a white smile to the largest oval shape.
Add legs to the Ant’s Body
Begin to assemble the rest of the ant; attaching the body and legs to its head.
Complete the Ant
Once all the legs are secured to the ants body, the ant is complete!
Create an Opening
Carefully fold the paper plate in half and cut a slit into the paper plate within the grassy area.
The opening needs to be a few inches long to allow the ant to the travel back and forth across the paper plate.
Secure a Popsicle Stick to the Ant
Turn the ant puppet over and secure a popsicle stick to its back.
Thread the Ant Puppet Through the Opening
Thread the ant puppet through the opening.
Optional – make a strawberry using red and green paper, and glue it to the ants back!
It’s Time to Play with the Ant Puppet!
The Paper Plate Ant Craft is ready for your preschooler and young children to play with!
I hope your Arty Crafty Kids creating their very own interactive ant craft. As always, we love to see their creativity and if you happen to share their work in social media, please give us a tag!
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