When the temperature is just too hot to go outdoors this summer, a fun craft can be the perfect boredom buster. We’ve found 17 super cute paper plate crafts for summer that your kids are going to love! Some are easy enough for toddlers while older kids can enjoy the more complicated ones that involve movement. There’s something here for everyone!
Cute Paper Plate Crafts for Summer
Summer is a time for pool parties, barbecues, and fun in the sun. But it also means that you’re going to be spending more time indoors with the kids on rainy days when you just can’t get outside. To keep them entertained without breaking your budget or putting your sanity on hold, we’ve got 17+ summer paper plate crafts!
Table of contents
- Cute Paper Plate Crafts for Summer
- Paper Plate Octopus
- Garden Paper Plate Craft
- Uncle Sam
- Paper Plate Parrot
- Rainbow Fish
- Paper Plate Boat
- Swimming Jellyfish Craft
- Sun Craft
- Goldfish Bowl
- Rocking Crabs
- Paper Plate Beach Ball
- Seashell Paper Plate Craft
- Paper Plate Ice Cream
- Pufferfish Craft
- Sunflower Paper Plate Craft
- American Flag Paper Plate Craft
- Popsicle Paper Plate Craft
- Scuba Diver Mask Craft
- Frog Paper Plate Craft
- Paper Plate Watermelon
- Rocking Submarine Craft
- Related Summer Crafts and Activities for Kids
- Paper Plate Crafts for Summer
Paper Plate Octopus
I can’t get over how amazing this paper plate octopus looks! The bubble wrap tentacles are so cool and really make them look like the real tentacles on an octopus. This would be a terrific craft for an ocean unit.
Garden Paper Plate Craft
This flower garden paper plate craft with its buzzing little bee is perfect for summer! You could even turn all the flowers into sunflowers to give it more of a late summer vibe.
Uncle Sam
Celebrate the 4th of July or Veteran’s Day with this fun and cute Uncle Sam paper plate craft. It’s very patriotic, plus it encourages conversations with kids about one of our country’s important national symbols.
Paper Plate Parrot
Work on a rainforest theme or some fun bird crafts this summer, adding our paper plate parrot to the list of crafts to make. It’s super colorful and fun and will make a great decoration for the playroom.
Rainbow Fish
Read The Rainbow Fish while making this colorful and sparkly Paper Plate Fish Craft. Don’t you love his sparkly, colorful scales?
Paper Plate Boat
Not only is this Paper Plate Boat Craft gorgeous (it would make a nice addition to a nautical room), but it offers fine motor practice as well.
Swimming Jellyfish Craft
We fell in love with this Swimming Jellyfish Craft the second we saw it on Facebook. It’s adorable, and I know your tot or preschooler will have a blast making the jellyfish swim back and forth.
Sun Craft
The sun may be super hot, but he looks cool as can be in this Paper Plate Sun Craft. How fun!
Goldfish Bowl
For another moving craft, try this Paper Plate Goldfish Bowl. The large goldfish is on a craft stick, so you can easily move him around. Don’t you think the bubble wrap sand is a great touch?
Related: 15 Cool Bubble Wrap Art Ideas for Kids
Rocking Crabs
With pincers that open and close, these Rocking Paper Plate Crabs will be loads of fun for little ones.
Paper Plate Beach Ball
Tear different colors of construction paper or tissue paper and arrange them on a paper plate to create this fun Paper Plate Beach Ball craft. So colorful!
Seashell Paper Plate Craft
Reminisce about your beach vacation while making these lovely Paper Plate Seashells.
Paper Plate Ice Cream
How fun is this Paper Plate Ice Cream Craft? Your kids can add sprinkles (or glitter or confetti) to make the cones look like their favorite flavors.
Pufferfish Craft
Paper Plate Pufferfish are so cute! Use forks and paint to create the spiny look of the fish. Clever!
Sunflower Paper Plate Craft
Even the littlest ones will be able to make this Paper Plate Sunflower. Display them on the mantle or in the window to add some cheer to any room.
American Flag Paper Plate Craft
Show your patriotism with a red, white and blue Paper Plate American Flag. This is a great opportunity to teach your kids some flag history!
Popsicle Paper Plate Craft
No summer is complete without twin pops! Now you can craft some Paper Plate Popsicles with the kids while you enjoy your frozen treats.
Scuba Diver Mask Craft
Kids will have so much fun pretending to be a scuba driver with this Paper Plate Scuba Diver Mask. They’ll have a blast on their imaginary under-the-sea adventures.
Frog Paper Plate Craft
Frogs abound in the summertime, so I know my son will love this Paper Plate Frog to remind him of his hoppy friends we’ve found in the garden.
Paper Plate Watermelon
This Watermelon Paper Plate Craft is so easy! We completed ours in about 20 minutes (including drying time).
Rocking Submarine Craft
A Rocking Paper Plate Submarine will provide hours of fun for your little one. Isn’t it the perfect craft for hours of pretend play?
If you enjoyed these paper plate crafts for summer, you may also like:
Summer Break Bucket List for Families
23 Outdoor Games to Make Summer a Blast
Related Summer Crafts and Activities for Kids
- Hanging Jellyfish Craft
- 6 Fun Beach Activities for the Whole Family
- 17 Tricks to Keep Kids Cool This Summer
- 12 Cheap Ways to Stay Cool This Summer
- Summer Activities for Toddlers
Post originally published June 12, 2017. Updated June 13, 2021.