This adorable parrot craft uses a printable template and a paper plate to make a project suitable for a jungle animals, birds, or pirates theme or just for fun.

Joyce commented that it reminded her of the "Angry Birds" game... complete accident there!

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

Materials:

• red, green or blue paint and paintbrush (we used red).
• 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 red (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 hair).
• Glue the pieces to the plate to make a parrot face:
  • Glue the hair onto the center top of the head.
  • Glue the eyes onto the face under the hair (or cut out holes for eyes in a mask).
  • Glue the eyebrows above the eyes.
  • The beak comes in two pieces.  The smaller piece is the bottom of the beak and should be glued on first, toward the very bottom of the paper plate.  The larger piece of the beak should slightly overlap the smaller piece.  You can position them to make the parrot's mouth look more open or closed.
• Optional:  If making a mask, use masking tape or duct tape to attach a thin strip of wood, a Tongue Depressor or 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:    (color)   or   (B&W)