DLTK's Crafts for Kids
Paper Plate Jester Craft

Contributed by Leanne Guenther

This jester craft uses a printable template and a paper plate to make a project suitable for a Mardi Gras, medieval or letter J theme.

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

Materials:

• pink or flesh colored paint and paintbrush (or you can keep his face white if you don't feel like painting).
• paper plate,
• something to color with (or color printer),
• scissors,
• glue,
• paper,
• printer,
• Optional:  You can substitute a large wiggly eye for the template eye.
• Optional FOR MASK:  Paint Stir Stick , thin strip of wood or Tongue Depressor .

Instructions:

• Paint the bottom of the paper plate light pink or flesh colored (or you can leave it white if you prefer).
• Print out the templates of choice.
• Color (where appropriate) 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 hair).
• Glue the pieces to the plate to make a jester face:
   
  • Glue the ears onto either side of the head.
  • Glue the hair onto the center top of the head.
  • Glue the eyes onto the mardi gras mask.
  • Glue the mask onto the face.
  • Glue the nose under the eyes.
  • Glue the mouth under the nose.
  • Glue the jester hat at the top of the paper plate over the hair.
• 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)