Angel Paper Plate Craft With Free Printable Template

This easy angel paper plate craft turns a basic paper plate into a sweet Christmas angel with glittery sides and a simple golden ring. Use the free template to help children cut and assemble the pieces, then let them personalize their paper angel with their favorite color and details.

This Christmas craft for kids is suitable for preschoolers and elementary-age children to make at home, in the classroom, or during Sunday school.

Check out our paper plate crafts for kids, featuring animals, favorite characters, and seasonal projects for home or the classroom. For festive craft time, we have 15+Christmas paper plate crafts. Get the free printable template at the bottom of this post.

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Easy Angel Paper Plate Craft for Kids

Paper plate Christmas projects are especially helpful during the busy holiday season because they use inexpensive supplies and require very little preparation. For this project, the plate becomes the angel’s white gown and wings, while the template helps children create the face, hair, and other details.

Younger children may need an adult to cut the plate or prepare the smaller pieces. Older children can outline, cut, assemble, and decorate their little angels independently.

Once finished, you can display the paper plate angel on a bulletin board, hang it in a window, or turn it into a Christmas tree ornament.

Completed angel paper plate craft with glitter wings and halo

This angel craft for kids works well for:

Preschool and elementary Christmas activities
Sunday school lessons about the Christmas angels
Children’s church activities
Homeschool art projects
Classroom bulletin boards
Christmas parties and family kids craft nights
Handmade ornaments and festive displays

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Supplies for the Angel Paper Plate Project

You only need a few basic supplies to make this paper plate angel:

White paper plate: Use one standard 9-inch plate.
Printable template: Download and print the free craft pattern.
Construction paper: Choose a skin tone, yellow or your preferred hair color, and gold or yellow for the halo.
Tracing tool: A pencil or pen works well.
Scissors: For cutting out the template pieces and paper shapes.
Glue: Use white school glue or a glue stick for assembly.
Sparkly accents: Add shimmer with silver glitter or glitter glue.
Black marker: Use to draw the facial details.
Pink crayon, optional: Add a little color to the cheeks.
Hanging material, optional: Use a pipe cleaner, ribbon, or string to display the finished craft.
Tape, optional: Keep some handy for securing the hanger.

Low-mess option: Replace loose glitter with glitter glue. Children still get a sparkly finish, but cleanup is much easier.

Supplies for making a paper plate angel craft for kids

How to Make a Paper Plate Angel

Print the template before beginning. If several children will make paper plate angels, print one for each child or create a sturdy pattern from cardstock. Follow this easy tutorial and the step-by-step instructions to assemble the project.

1. Print and cut out the angel template

Download the free template and print it at 100 percent or Actual Size. Cut out the pieces.

For younger children, an adult can prepare the smaller facial pieces in advance.

2. Outline the angel shape

Turn the plate face down. Place the body and wing guide on the plate, then lightly draw around it with a pencil. Center the gown so both sides extend evenly.

Printable paper plate angel template traced onto a white plate

3. Cut the paper plate

Carefully cut along the pencil lines to form the triangle-like gown and wings. An adult may need to help with the first cut.

If you are preparing this as an easy preschool project, consider cutting the paper plate pieces in advance. Children can then focus on gluing and adding their own details.

4. Add sparkle to the wings and gown

Run a thin line of glue around the edges of the wings and gown. Sprinkle glitter over the adhesive, gently shake off the excess onto scrap paper, and let the plate dry.

Children can also draw stars, swirls, or small dots on the gown. Sparkly adhesive is a super simple alternative to loose glitter.

Angel shape with silver glitter accents on wings and dress

5. Make the angel’s face and hair

Use the template pieces to outline the oval face onto skin-tone construction paper and the hair onto the child’s chosen paper color. Once you cut both shapes, position the hair over the face and glue it in place.

Construction paper face and hair pieces for an angel craft

Use a black marker to add simple eyes and a cheerful smile. Add rosy cheeks with a pink crayon, if desired.

Angel assembled with glued-on face, hair, and shoes

6. Add the halo

Cut the gold or yellow piece from construction paper and secure it behind the head. You can also bend a gold or yellow pipe cleaner into a small circle and tape it to the back of the head.

Angel with added details on face and yellow shoes

7. Assemble the angel

Secure the completed head to the top of the gown. Add any remaining pieces or embellishments, then let the project dry completely.

8. Display the finished angel

Display your finished angel paper plate design on a wall, door, bulletin board, or Christmas art display. To make a hanging version, punch a hole near the top and add a loop of ribbon or string.

Easy paper plate angel ornament for Christmas

Christmas Craft for Sunday School

This angel craft can accompany a Sunday school lesson about the birth of Jesus. Children can create their figures after reading about the angel who announced Jesus’ birth or the angels who appeared to the shepherds.

Teachers may want to write a short Bible verse on the gown or print one on the back. Possible passages include Luke 1:26-38, Luke 2:8-14, and Matthew 1:18-25. These verses can also introduce a discussion about how angels sing praises in the Christmas story.

For a group activity, prepare the shapes before class and organize the pieces in individual bags. This gives children more time to personalize their figures and discuss the lesson.

Ways to Personalize the Angel

There is no single right way to customize this plate craft. Invite children to choose to personalize their angel so each finished design is uniquely theirs.

Mix and match skin shades with a variety of hair colors.
Add yarn hair instead of construction paper hair.
Add sequins, stickers, stars, or metallic markers to the gown.
Use gold sparkle instead of silver.
Glue a child’s photograph in place of the paper face.
Write the child’s name and year on the back to create a keepsake.
Use a mini plate to create a smaller ornament.
Make several adorable figures and arrange them as an angelic choir.
Add a sturdy cone or carton base to adapt the design into an angel tree topper.

Unlike a handprint project, you can prepare this design ahead of time and assemble it using the template pieces.

Tips for Making This Craft With Young Children

Print the template on cardstock if you’ll copy it several times.
Pre-cut small pieces for children who are still learning to use scissors.
Place the project on a tray or sheet of paper to catch extra sparkle.
Use washable adhesive and markers for easier cleanup.
Let the sparkly adhesive dry completely before hanging the project.
Add tape behind the head if the pieces need extra support.
Write each child’s name on the back before beginning a group project.

Skills Children Practice

Along with being a fun Christmas activity, this DIY Christmas project gives children an opportunity to practice:

Scissor control
Following outlines and shapes
Fine motor coordination
Following each instruction in order
Gluing and positioning pieces
Color and design choices
Creativity

Free Printable Angel Craft Template

The free template makes it easier to create the body, wing shapes, face, hair, and headpiece for this kids’ craft. Print this resource on regular printer paper for individual use or on cardstock if you plan to reuse it as a pattern.

Please remember that this download is for personal or classroom use. Follow the usage terms included with the file.

Angel Paper Plate Craft title image with angel and text on gray background

More Paper Plate Crafts for Kids

If your children enjoyed this angel craft, try another easy project made with a paper plate:

This plate angel craft for kids is an easy way to combine holiday creativity with a meaningful theme. With the template and a few everyday supplies, children can create a crafty piece they will be proud to display at home, school, or church.

You can also save the project to Pinterest for later or follow a video tutorial if the printable includes one.

How do you make a paper plate angel?

Follow the body pattern on a white plate and cut it out to form the gown and wings. Embellish the base, make the face and hair from construction paper, add the headpiece, and secure the pieces together.

What materials do I need for an angel craft?

For this DIY project, you need a plate, the free template, construction paper, scissors, adhesive, a pencil, and a black marker. Sparkly accents, pipe cleaners, ribbon, and other embellishments are optional.

Is this paper plate Christmas craft suitable for preschoolers?

It works well for preschoolers, especially if you do the harder cutting beforehand. Young children can focus on putting the pieces together and adding the finishing details.

Can I turn the paper plate angel into an ornament?

A mini plate works nicely for a small hanging version, while the full-size design can become a larger tree decoration. Once everything is completely dry, make a hole near the top and loop ribbon through it for hanging.

How do I download the angel template?

Use the form or download button near the bottom of this post. After downloading the PDF, print it at Actual Size or 100 percent so the pieces stay the right size.