Learn how to transform an ordinary paper plate into this cute crab! A fun summertime craft for your kids.
Summertime means spending time at the beach, and for many families, a trip to the ocean! Talking to kids about the different animals that live in the ocean is always fun, and creating a craft to make one is even better. Instead of your everyday flat paper plate crab, I’ll show you how to make one with a bit more dimension!
You will need:
Paper plate
Red craft paint
2 googly eyes
Red pipe cleaner
Tools: paintbrush, scissors, hole puncher, hot glue gun or quick drying glue
Print the pattern here
SAFETY NOTE: We recommend that parents handle the glue gun, or if your child is familiar with handling one safely, to supervise them closely.
Start by painting both sides of the paper plate with red paint and let it dry completely.
Print the pattern above and use it to cut the paper plate. The legs are cut from the top of the plate, as indicated by dashed lines in the pattern.
To make the front claws stand up and be three dimensional, first fold them upward on over the paper plate body.
Next, fold down about an inch or so from your first crease and fold upward. Then a few inches after that, fold down again.
For the eyes, use a hole punch to create two holes about an inch apart on top of the head.
Cut your pipe cleaner in half, then fold each piece in half. Glue an eye to the top of each pipe cleaner. Insert the pipe cleaner eyes into the holes in the head about halfway. Turn the plate over and bend the pipe cleaners flush with the plate. Hot glue them in place. Turn the plate back over and bend the eyes to stand straight up.
Take the six back legs you cut from the top of the paper plate and bend each one in half.
Glue one to the back of the paper plate, just behind where the front claw begins. Glue the other two legs in place as well. Do any adjustment bending and creasing needed and your crab is all done! Cuteness!
Paper Plate Sea Crab originally created by Amanda Davis for Kix Cereal.