Updated December 17, 2023
Are you looking for an easy Christmas craft for your toddler or preschooler?
We made this simple paper plate Santa Claus craft with our kids and they loved it!
This project uses supplies you probably already have on hand.
We’ve got more Christmas crafts, Christmas sensory bins, Christmas coloring pages, Christmas activity placememats, Christmas wreath craft, Paperbag gingerbread house craft, and Christmas Q-tip painting activities to keep your kids busy all through Christmas week!
Easy Paper Plate Santa Claus Craft For Kids
Supplies Needed:
- Paper plates
- Red construction paper
- Cotton balls
- Glue
- Scissors
- Paint (flesh tone and pink for cheeks)
- A black marker for drawing the eyes and mouth
- Red pom-pom for the nose (or red paint)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Paper Plate: Start with a plain paper plate that will form Santa’s face.
2. Paint Santa’s Face: We used construction paper to create the flesh-colored face and pink rosy cheeks but you can paint the center of the paper plate with flesh-toned paint for Santa’s face. For the cheeks, add a touch of pink paint. Allow the paint to dry completely.
3. Create Santa’s Hat: Cut a triangle from the red construction paper to make Santa’s hat.
The size should be proportionate to the paper plate.
4. Attach Santa’s Hat: Glue the red triangle to the top of the paper plate to resemble Santa’s hat.
5. Add the Fur Trim: Glue cotton balls along the bottom edge of the red triangle to create the fur trim of Santa’s hat.
6. Make Santa’s Beard: Glue cotton balls around the lower half of the paper plate to form Santa’s beard. Ensure that there’s enough space left for Santa’s mouth and nose.
7. Add Santa’s Facial Features: We used googly eyes but you can use a black marker to draw eyes and a mouth on Santa’s face.
Glue a red pom-pom for the nose.
If a pom-pom isn’t available, a dab of red paint will do the trick.
8. Complete the Hat: For the finishing touch, add a cotton ball at the tip of Santa’s hat.
9. Drying Time: Once all the parts are glued on, set the plate aside to let everything dry completely.
Preparation Tips
Let’s chat about making the prep part easy!
First up, snag that tablecloth (or an old newspaper, we’re not picky) and lay it down where the magic’s going to happen.
It’s a game-changer for the oops-didn’t-mean-to-spill-that-glitter moments.
When I was teaching preschool, I prepped before every art and craft project and it made all the difference.
Covering the table or work area with newspaper or a spare tablecloth prevents spills from glue, paint, and glitter from ruining your table or floor.
It helps keep stray marks from crayons and markers off the table too.
Next, gather up all the crafty supplies you’ll be using and pop them into little bowls or containers — think of them as Santa’s little helpers keeping everything in check.
Trust me, having everything within arm’s reach means more time crafting and less time playing hide and seek with the scissors.
How to adapt the craft to younger and older children
You can gather your kids of all ages because this Santa craft has a little sprinkle of holiday cheer for everyone!
For young toddlers, you can keep it simple and safe with stickers for Santa’s twinkling eyes and cheery smile—perfect for those little hands still learning to maneuver.
And for the older preschoolers, who are ready for a bit more of a challenge, grab those safety scissors!
We’re going to snip out some cool shapes to add a dash more personality to our jolly old Saint Nick.
Allow them to cut out Santa’s hat, beard, and cheeks.
Ideas For Extending The Craft
Once your little ones have put the finishing touches on their bearded masterpieces, why not keep the festive spirit flowing?
If their fingers are itching to do more, they could pen a heartfelt letter to the man in red himself.
Or, spark their imagination by encouraging them to dream up a delightful tale starring their very own Santa creation.
Was he on a secret mission to find the best cookie?
Did he take a wrong turn on his sleigh and end up somewhere unexpected?
The stories they come up with might just become treasured family tales, retold each Christmas by the fireplace.
Make sure to write down exactly what they tell you about their Santa craft.
Another follow-up activity is to read some books about Santa Claus.!
We’ve got more Christmas crafts, Christmas coloring pages, Christmas activity placememats, activities to keep your kids busy all through Christmas week!
