This paper plate turtle craft has a head that moves when you pull the tail! This type of interactive craft is engaging, educational and also great to play with once it’s complete. It will entertain your kids for hours.
Whether you’re learning about sea turtles in school or just looking to spend some quality time with your child at home by making fun craft projects, you’ll love this awesome craft.
- Table Of Contents:
Turtle Vs Tortoise – Which is Which?
The legs of this craft look more like a sea turtle, but you can adapt it to look like a tortoise if you’d like.
Turtles and tortoises are often confused because of their similarities. Turtles have webbed feet or flippers and are usually found near lakes, rivers and oceans.
Tortoises are animals that live on land and are adapted to living in places like deserts, grasslands, and forests. They have short legs that look stumpy, and their feet are round and strong.
Materials
- 2 small paper plates
- Dark green and light green construction paper
- Glue gun
- Scissors
- Double-sided tape
- Black pen
- Googly eyes
- Thicker card stock or cardboard (turtle’s head support)
Instructions:
Step 1)
Gather all the materials listed above. Print and cut out the turtle body parts template.
Step 2)
Glue together two small paper plates using a hot glue gun to create the turtle’s shell. If young children are crafting on their own, strong double sided tape is another good option.
Remember to not glue across the entire circumference and leave a space to insert the turtle’s head and tail. If the paper you used for the turtle’s head and tail is not thick enough, add a cardboard strip to it.
Step 3)
Attach the turtle’s four feet, followed by the googly eyes and remember to draw 2 dots for the nose! Use double sided tape or glue.
Step 4)
Attach the green shapes cutout to the turtle’s shell using double-sided tape to create patterns on the shell.
Step 5)
Make any additional adjustments or add details to personalize your paper plate turtle.
Video Instructions
Want to see this craft in action? Or do you prefer video instructions? Check out the YouTube channel for Crafty Kids Play and watch the full video instructions for this Paper Plate Turtle Craft here.
Turtle Template Download
Use the free printable template for this fun craft to make your own sea turtles at home or in school. The pdf template is for your personal use only, not for resale or commercial use.
Tips & Troubleshooting
Prepare Materials in Advance:
Pre-cut the construction paper shapes, so kids can focus on the assembly and decoration without getting frustrated or having cutting difficulties.
Use Child-Friendly Tools:
Opt for safety scissors and consider pre-cutting complex shapes. Ensure the glue gun is handled by an adult, or use strong double-sided tape for safer options.
Encourage Creativity:
While there are instructions, encourage kids to add their own touches. Emphasize that there’s no right or wrong way to decorate their turtle—let them express themselves.
Difficulty Gluing Paper Plates:
If the paper plates aren’t sticking well with glue or tape, ensure the plates are clean and dry. You can also reinforce the connection with additional tape on the inside of the plates or use a stapler.
Variation Ideas
Rainbow Shell Turtle:
Encourage kids to use a variety of colorful construction paper to create a vibrant rainbow shell. Each plate section can be a different color for a cheerful and eye-catching effect.
Textured Details:
Introduce different textures by using materials like tissue paper, cotton balls, or felt. Kids can experiment with textures on the shell, tail, and feet for a touch-and-feel experience.
Simplified Turtle Craft:
Instead of gluing two paper plates together and creating a craft that has a moving turtle head and tail, you can simplify this craft by gluing the template pieces to one paper plate for an easier version. This might be a way to make the craft possible for younger children to do independently, without as much adult assistance.
Painted Turtle Shell
Another fun way to alter this craft idea is to have kids use green paint (or another color of their choice) to paint the turtle shell.
Benefits of This Turtle Craft For Kids
Fine Motor Skills:
Imagine the excitement of carefully cutting, gluing, and attaching those turtle parts! These steps help strengthen kids’ muscles in their fingers and hands. This isn’t just play—it’s setting them up for writing and buttoning success down the road.
Creativity and Imagination:
The process of designing and personalizing the turtle allows children to explore their creativity. They can experiment with colors, patterns, and additional details, fostering imaginative thinking.
Artistic Expression:
Decorating the turtle with colorful shapes and patterns allows children to express themselves artistically. It encourages them to make choices about design elements. Colorful shapes, patterns and more—this is their chance to make decisions that make the craft their own.
Spatial Awareness:
Gluing the paper plates together and attaching the template pieces creates an understanding of spatial relationships. This activity contributes to the development of spatial awareness and coordination.
Final Thoughts
This turtle paper plate craft offers a fantastic opportunity for learning and development. From enhancing fine motor skills to fostering imagination, this craft engages young minds in a playful and educational way.
Stick around Crafty Kids Play for more sensory play ideas, free printables and fun craft ideas for kids of all ages.
