Paper Plate Penguin

Oh so cute and oh so simple! This paper plate penguin is fun to make and easy enough for little ones too.

Penguins have always been very popular in our house. We’ve long loved their charming ways – how they waddle, how they slide down the ice, how they are so loyal to and protective of their penguin families. So, quite frankly, it seemed very wrong indeed that we had yet to add a penguin craft to The Craft Balloon website.

But we have now addressed this issue and are here to share today’s craft: a sweet paper plate penguin.

This is a very simple penguin craft, so much so that it’s a great for young children (preschoolers, kindergarteners) to make. I have included a printable template which you can print out at home for the penguin’s front, wings, beak and flippers. It really couldn’t be simpler.

If you want to see how to make this paper plate penguin, the materials and step-by-step instructions are down below. You can find the sign-up box for the printable template at the end of the post. I hope you enjoy it!

What You Will Need

To make this simple penguin craft you will need the following supplies:

• paper plate

• black paint and paint brush

• template (sign-up box is at the end of the post)

• glue

• googly eyes x 2

• orange paper / cardstock (or orange paint)

• tape

A note on paint…

In terms of paint, we used acrylic paint from the craft store as our paper plate had a slightly shiny surface. Acrylic paint covers really well and we only needed one coat. Some paints might require two coats. Whatever paint you are using, double check to make sure it is non toxic and suitable for children.

How to Make Your Paper Plate Penguin

Step 1

Start by painting the paper plate with black paint. If needed, set the plate aside to dry and then paint another coat over the top.

As an alternative to painting, you could also tear small pieces of black paper and glue these over the plate. (This option also has the bonus of giving a nice texture and helping make the penguin look a bit feathery).

Step 2

Print the template onto white paper or card stock (you can find the sign up box at the end of this post to get the free printable).

Carefully cut out the different parts of the craft. Depending on the age of your child or students, you may need to help with this cutting part.

Step 3

Glue the white front piece onto the middle of the paper plate. This will be the penguin’s white feathery front.

Step 4

Take the small triangle beak. Either paint/colour this orange, or draw around it onto orange cardstock/paper and cut it out.

Glue the beak onto the penguin like so:

Step 5

Next add the googly eyes. If you don’t have googly eyes, no problem! Just cut out two circles of white paper or card stock and draw on a black pupil with a marker.

Add the two eyes above the beak, as far apart or close together as you like. Then glue these down.

Step 6

For the flippers, you can either paint them orange, or use them as a template and trace them onto orange paper or cardstock and cut them out.

Attach the flippers to the back of the bottom of the plate. Use tape to attach them.

Step 7

Next it’s time to add the wings.

You can either paint the wings black, or you can trace the wings onto black paper or cardstock and cut them out.

Then attach the wings to the front of the paper plate, one on either side.

And with that, your penguin craft is finished!

I think you’ll agree this is a super simple craft and one that even little ones can make.

Get the penguin template here!

The penguin template for this paper plate craft is free for subscribers. Join our email list using the form below and have the printable template delivered straight to your inbox.

Want to save this penguin craft for later? Then why not pin it!

Looking for more paper plate crafts? We have lots:

…or simply browse our paper plate crafts page.

Also, don’t miss our collection of winter crafts: