DLTK's Crafts for Kids
Paper Plate Hippo Craft

Contributed by Leanne Guenther

This adorable hippo craft uses a printable template and a paper plate to make a project suitable for a jungle animals, mammals or Letter H theme or just for fun.

If you cut out holes instead of using the template eyes, you can convert your hippo craft to a hippo mask.  Attach a paint stir stick or tongue depressor to allow your child to hold it up to their face.

Materials:

• grey paint and paintbrush
• paper plate,
• something to color with (or color printer).
• scissors,
• glue,
• paper,
• Printer.
  
• Optional:  You can substitute large wiggly eyes for the template eyes.
• Optional FOR MASK:  Paint Stir Stick , thin strip of wood or Tongue Depressor.

Instructions:

• Paint the bottom of the paper plate grey (if it isn't already).
• Print out the craft template of choice.
• Color (if using the black and white version of the craft) and cut out the template pieces.  Most of the pieces are simple enough shapes for young children to cut out, but if needed, an adult can help with some of the harder pieces.
• Glue the pieces to the plate to make a hippo face:
  • Glue the ears to the top of the head.
  • Glue the eyes onto the face under the ears (or cut out holes for eyes in a mask).
  • Glue the eyebrows above the eyes.
  • The snout should be glued below the eyes on the bottom half of the plate.
  • Glue the teeth onto the snout just blow the line for the mouth.
• Optional:  If making a mask, use masking tape or duct tape to attach a thin strip of wood, a Tongue Depressor or a Paint Stir Stick (often free at paint supply and home repair stores -- no more than $1 -- we get dad to pick one up now and then when he's at home depot admiring the tools *grin*)

 

Template 1:    (color)   or   (B&W)

Template 2:    (color)   or   (B&W)