We picked up this darling book at the library last week, Who Will Be My Valentine This Year? I adore all the different animal characters throughout the book and I love the message at the ending that it’s good for everyone to be their unique selves. The main character was my daughter’s favorite so we made this Paper Plate Hippopotamus Craft inspired by this fun Valentine’s book.
Supplies needed:
- paper plate
- pink paint
- paintbrush
- red, pink, black and white cardstock paper
- small heart confetti (optional: as an alternative, you can just color on hearts)
- 2 large googly eyes
- scissors
- black marker
- glue
Tutorial:
1. Paint your paper plate
Start by painting the bottom of your paper plate with pink paint. Let it dry completely.
2. Cut out needed shapes
While your paper plate is drying, cut out the pieces you’ll need for your hippo. From your pink cardstock paper you’ll need a large oval, 2 small oval ears and 2 eyelids. From your black cardstock you’ll need a smile shape for the mouth. From the white cardstock you’ll need 2 oval eyes, a bow tie, and teeth (teeth not pictured below).
3. Add confetti to your bow
Glue red heart confetti onto your bow tie, or color red hearts onto the bow tie with a crayon or marker.
4. Glue needed details to the shapes
Glue your black mouth onto your large oval and glue your eyelids onto your white eyes. Use your black marker to draw on eyelashes and two nose holes.
5. Finish with gluing all your shapes to the plate
Glue your eyes, ears and mouth onto your pink paper plate. Finish your hippo by gluing your white teeth onto the black mouth.
She’s a pretty cute hippopotamus don’t you think? You could make it a boy by painting it a different coloring and leaving off the bow tie. Or, to go along great with the message of the book, it would be fun to let kids personalize the bow tie with different colors and patterns to make them all unique.
