This adorable beaver craft uses a printable template and a paper plate to make a project suitable for a forest animals, mammals, letter B theme, Canada Day theme or just for fun.

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

Materials:

• paper plate,
• brown 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:  Use a black marker to draw whiskers on the face.
• Optional FOR MASK: Paint Stir Stick, thin strip of wood or Tongue Depressor

Instructions:

• Paint the bottom of the paper plate brown.
• 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 beaver face:
  • Glue the teeth onto the bottom of the face.
  • Glue the ears onto either side near the top of the head.
  • Glue the hair onto the center top of the head.
  • Glue the nose on the face just above the teeth.
  • Glue the eyes onto the face above the nose and under the hair (or cut out holes for eyes in a mask).
  • Glue the eyebrows above the eyes.
• Optional:  Use a black marker to draw whiskers on the beaver's face.
• 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)