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July 25, 2019

Paper Plate Dinosaur Craft for Kids -Three Easy Templates for Dinosaurs

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Do you have kids who love anything dinosaur related? If so, this fun dinosaur craft is going to bring a huge smile to their faces. Making paper plate dinosaurs was a go-to craft idea when my kids were little. When they were preschoolers they never grew tired of designing and constructing their own diy dinosaur creatures.

So today I’m super excited to share my secret with you of how to make three different types of dinosaurs using a single paper plate. The templates are so simple to draw on your own, you don’t even need a printable dinosaur pattern.

Easy dinosaur craft for kids from paper plates.

[This craft post was originally published on July 8, 2011. It has since been updated with new photos, a more in-depth tutorial and video. The original idea for creating the Brontosaurus and Stegosaurus came from a website called Kids Craft Weekly but it is no a working website so I am sharing my own version of the tutorial.]

When my middle child was 4 years old, he was a dinosaur loving preschooler. He seriously breathed dinosaurs 24/7.

His love for dinosaur themed activities went beyond just playing with the billions of plastic toy dinosaurs we had laying the house too. He created his own dinosaurs with random objects he played with like crayons, our abc magnets on the fridge and our wooden blocks.

Our library bags were constantly overflowing with dinosaur books every week and he was determined that if he dug deep enough in the sand box he was sure to discover some dinosaur bones or dinosaur fossils in our backyard.

It came as no surprise that he lived for creating dinosaur art projects and dinosaur themed arts and crafts activities.

Keep reading this crafts activity tutorial to discover how easy it is to make a Tyrannosaurus Rex, Brontosaurus and a Stegosaurus craft out of a paper plate. Don’t miss our video tutorial at the end of this post!

What's in this Blog Post

  • How to Make a Paper Plate Dinosaur Craft
    • Supplies needed for making paper plate dinosaurs
    • Instructions for making these Dinosaur Crafts for Kids
    • Related: Paper Plate Polar Bear Craft
    • Related: Swimming Jellyfish Craft
    • Related: 20+ Paper Plate Animal Crafts
    • Related: Paper Plate Cat Craft
    • Video Tutorial: How to Make three different Dinosaurs with a Paper Plate
    • Related Posts

How to Make a Paper Plate Dinosaur Craft

This post contains affiliate links to the products mentioned. Read our disclosure policy for more information.

Supplies needed for making paper plate dinosaurs

  • paper plates (The best kind for this craft are the cheap ones.)
  • acrylic or tempera paint
  • sponge paintbrushes
  • bubble wrap (Totally optional, but I love the fun texture it gives the dinosaurs.)
  • black marker
  • googly eyes
  • scissors
  • glue or a stapler

Instructions for making these Dinosaur Crafts for Kids

Step 1: Begin by painting the front side of a paper plate with acrylic or tempera paint. Let the paint dry completely.

Step 2: Cut off section of bubble wrap that is about half the size of your paper plate. I love to save any bubble wrap we get from packages to use for arts and crafts projects like this one.

Paint the bubble side of the wrap with a different shade of color than what you used in step 1. Place the painted bubble wrap down onto the first half of your paper plate. Use your hands to gently rub the wrap to transfer the bubble texture onto the paper plate. Then carefully peel the bubble wrap off your paper plate.

Related: Paper Plate Polar Bear Craft

Add more paint to the bubble wrap and print it on the second half of your paper plate to completely cover the paper plate with the bubble texture. This is painting technique is a fun way to create a scale-like texture on your dinosaur skin.

Step 3: Once the paint is completely dry on your painted paper plate, turn it upside down to draw the dinosaur template on the bottom of the paper plate with a black marker.

If you are worried about making a mistake you can use a pencil to draw the pattern on the back of the paper plate first, and then trace over it with your black marker.

Use our pictures as a guide for drawing either a Tyrannosaurus Rex, Brontosaurus or a Stegosaurus template on the back of your painted paper plate.

Related: Swimming Jellyfish Craft

You can see from my photos that you don’t need to worry about the template being perfect. The different pieces like the dinosaur feet, arms and head are very forgiving so don’t stress too much about having them exactly the same size.

Step 4: Use scissors to cut out the different pieces of the template.

Step 5: Use a stapler or glue stick to attach the different pieces of the dinosaur together. As an alternative, you could also attach the pieces together with metal brads so that your dinosaurs arms, lets and tail are movable. This is an especially fun option if you want to use them as dinosaur puppets.

Related: 20+ Paper Plate Animal Crafts

Step 6: To finish making your fun dinosaur craft, glue a googly eye on your prehistoric creature. Then draw on a smile, or some big scary teeth. Hee hee!

Related: Paper Plate Cat Craft

My favorite part of these simple dinosaur crafts for kids is how after making them, kids can play with them and use them as dinosaur puppets.

Don’t you love how the stamped bubble wrap in a different color adds a fun texture to the dinosaur craft? If for some reason you aren’t a fan of it, or if you need to simplify the craft, you can omit this step.

Kids can also color their paper plate with crayons or markers for a super simplified version of the craft activity. This would be a great option if you are having a dinosaur themed birthday party and want to make this craft with kids at a craft table for an activity.

Another fun option to add texture to your dinosaurs is to make tissue paper dinosaurs. If you don’t want to get out the paints, simply glue colorful tissue paper squares all over your paper plate and allow it to dry.

Looking for even more dinosaur fun? Here’s a fun tutorial for how to make a dinosaur egg with a hidden surprise inside. 

Video Tutorial: How to Make three different Dinosaurs with a Paper Plate

Watch the video below for a step by step guide on how to make this fun dinosaur craft with our handy templates we shared above.

Find more easy summer craft ideas for kids and paper plate crafts by browsing the categories at the top menu bar of our website.

Check out our amazing list of over 100 fun and easy summer crafts for kids. Animal crafts, ocean crafts, space crafts and so much more…

Summer crafts for Kids - Easy arts and crafts ideas and summer activities. Animal crafts, ocean crafts, pirates and mermaids, beach crafts and more.

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Filed Under: Kids Crafts, Seasonal 23 Comments

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Comments

  1. Sandy says

    July 8, 2011 at 4:01 PM

    Great dinosaurs!

    Reply
  2. Mandi says

    July 8, 2011 at 4:10 PM

    We love them! My son just said "Mommy, he HAVE to make those!", so that's going on the agenda for next week. We love paper plate crafts because it's one of those items I'm always guaranteed to have on hand in our craft supplies. 🙂

    Mandi
    boredombustingmommy.blogspot.com

    Reply
  3. WarmSunshine says

    July 9, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    Hey there! Thanks for following me 🙂 As appreciation, I have added your link to my Friends Meetup Party for this week. I hope you come around and read more from "the perfect line". You have a new follower! 🙂
    Happy Blogging!

    Reply
  4. Kelly @ ThrivingWith5 says

    July 10, 2011 at 1:41 AM

    Love your blog! I taught 1st grade for 11 years and my kids love getting to do all the crafts now that I am home with them full time! I can't wait to follow you as a resource for more ideas! Thanks for stopping by. Following back now!
    http://www.thrivingwith5.blogspot.com

    Reply
  5. Lori @ Beneath the Rowan Tree says

    July 12, 2011 at 9:49 PM

    Oh, these are wonderful! My almost 6 year old daughter is a dino freak, too 🙂
    Would you be willing to share this at our Weekly Playdate link party? This week's party is here: http://beneaththerowantree.blogspot.com/2011/07/playdate-link-party-blog-hop-16-all.html

    Cheers,
    Lori
    Come & Play :: Playdate
    http://www.beneaththerowantree.com

    Reply
  6. lindsy says

    July 13, 2011 at 8:10 PM

    Thanks for visiting over at my blog and for your nice comments. I can tell I'll be spending too much time on your blog 🙂 Love it!!! We'll be trying quite a few of you ideas. Thanks!!

    Reply
  7. Jenni says

    July 14, 2011 at 3:29 PM

    We are totally on the same page this week aren't we? So cute love the dinos! AND we have those awesome Woody pjs here!
    HUGS~
    Jenni

    Reply
  8. Tanya @ Greetings From the Asylum says

    July 14, 2011 at 4:25 PM

    Who says dinosaurs are extinct? You obviously have a huge herd roaming around your house! What a fun project! Thanks for sharing the big smiles and the awesome dinosaurs!

    Reply
  9. Kate @ Puddles and Gumboots says

    July 14, 2011 at 4:53 PM

    Visiting from the It's Playtime link-up. I love these dinosaurs! Very cute….I have some dino mad boys of my own, we will have to have a go at making these 🙂

    Reply
  10. Bec@littlelucylu says

    July 14, 2011 at 10:52 PM

    I love these guys SO much, too!
    I will totally "borrow" this idea for my kindergarten classroom next year!
    Awesome!
    ~Bec

    Reply
  11. Terri @ A Creative Princess says

    July 15, 2011 at 10:46 PM

    Too cute and your boys are adorable!! Thank you so much for linking up!

    Reply
  12. Marcia says

    July 16, 2011 at 12:50 AM

    Awesome!

    Reply
  13. SmileMonsters says

    July 16, 2011 at 3:13 PM

    Love those dinosaurs.

    Jo @ SmileMonsters

    Reply
  14. Anonymous says

    July 19, 2011 at 6:42 PM

    Great idea and very cute dinos!
    Don't forget Dinosaur Train on your local PBS station! Our 4 year old is crazy for dinosaurs and loves the program.

    Reply
  15. Art For Little Hands says

    July 19, 2011 at 7:06 PM

    Dinosaur Train has made my 5 year old into a living breathing dinosaur lover too. I love all these ideas. I have to say that the top three art work done with various play things around the house really tickled me. So cute. What a fun craft as well.

    Reply
  16. Ayin Masliza says

    July 25, 2011 at 4:53 AM

    Hi,

    wow!! cute dino they are.. I 'll definitely do this with my kids. Thanks for sharing.. I also link you site..

    heart, hug n smile from Malaysia.

    Reply
  17. Sue says

    July 30, 2011 at 10:25 PM

    Uncle Kenny and I loved seeing these dinos, especially knowing how much Luke is into them. What a terrific idea! We so enjoyed spending a little time with you all on Friday. Keep the great ideas coming!

    Reply
  18. Crafts for Kids - Piggy Giggles says

    August 12, 2011 at 3:18 AM

    These are super cute!!
    Thanks for sharing!!
    Brenda
    http://www.piggygiggles.com

    Reply
  19. E @ Act Fast Chef says

    August 18, 2011 at 10:37 AM

    I love these! My daughter is SO into dinos. We'll try to make these soon 🙂

    Reply
  20. Brooke @ Let Kids Create says

    August 26, 2011 at 3:57 AM

    My girls really love dinos as well, these are so cute I know they would love to make some.

    Reply
  21. Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas says

    August 28, 2011 at 1:55 PM

    Oh, I LOVE these! 🙂 I wish I had seen them before we did ours bc I seriously like that you made them movable (and these are much smaller than ours – perfect for playing) Saving this for the next time we work on dinosaurs!

    Thanks for linking to Sunday Showcase – I always {heart} your over the top crafts – exactly how I like to do things myself!!!!

    Bern

    Reply
  22. Hannah says

    August 31, 2011 at 9:27 PM

    What a brilliant idea. We will definitely be trying this one.

    Reply
  23. Mealy says

    September 22, 2012 at 6:38 AM

    Made these with my two year old twins yesterday. Just crayons and stickers for immediate results plus some with stuck on tissue paper which need finishing today for extended fun. Dinosaurs are flavour of he month with them both it seems.

    Reply

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