DLTK's Crafts for Kids
Paper Plate Koala Craft

Contributed by Leanne Guenther

This adorable koala craft uses a printable template and a paper plate to make a project suitable for a Australian animals, mammals, letter K theme crafts or just for fun.

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

Materials:

• paper plate.
• grey paint and paint brush
• 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 (the ears and the hair).
• Glue the pieces to the plate to make a koala face:
  • Glue the ears onto either side of the plate.
  • Glue the hair onto the center top of the plate.
  • Glue the mouth at the bottom of the paper plate.
  • Glue the the nose above the mouth, leaving only a sliver of the mouth showing.
  • Glue the eyes above the nose.
  • Glue the eyebrows above the eyes.
• 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)

Template 3:    (color)   or   (B&W)