Santa Paper Plate Craft for Kids With Free Template
Make an adorable Santa paper plate craft with a festive cap, big paper eyes, and a soft, fluffy beard. This fun and easy Christmas craft turns an ordinary plate into a cheerful decoration kids can personalize with their favorite facial details.
This cute Santa paper plate craft features a curved upper section that is part of the plate. A small cut separates its drooping tip from the face, while fluffy white trim connects the two decorated sections.
Add this project to an afternoon of Christmas craft projects, or prep the pieces ahead of time for a family art-and-craft activity. This tutorial includes step-by-step directions, plus optional no-paint, puppet, and ornament variations.
Supplies for a Paper Plate Santa
Gather these simple craft supplies before starting:
- One sturdy, uncoated paper plate
- Red paint and a skin-tone shade of your choice
- Paintbrush
- Cotton wool, cotton balls, or batting
- White paper or cardstock for the eyes
- Red paper for the nose
- Black marker
- Washable school glue
- Glue stick for flat paper pieces, optional
- Pencil
- Child-safe scissors
- Santa template, optional
- Table covering and an apron
A 9-inch plate gives little ones plenty of space to arrange the facial features. Smaller sizes also work, but you’ll need to adjust the decorations to fit.
Optional extras: A white pom pom for Santa’s hat, a pink crayon for cheeks, a jumbo craft stick for a puppet, or ribbon for display.
For children under 3, use drawn or large paper facial details instead of small pom poms or googly eyes. Supervise this craft for kids and keep loose fibers away from children who put objects in their mouths.
How to Make a Santa Paper Plate Craft
Follow these simple instructions to make a paper plate Santa with a fluffy white beard and curved hat.
1. Shape the Curved Hat
Place the paper plate with its back facing up. Lightly sketch a line across the upper portion to separate the cap from the face.
To create the drooping tip shown in the photos, leave a curved strip of the outer rim extending down one side. Cut a small triangle-shaped gap between that strip and the round face area.
Keep the upper portion connected across the top of the plate. An adult should handle this shaped cut for younger children.
For a simpler version, leave the base whole and use its upper section as Santa’s cap.
2. Paint the Hat and Face
Cover the upper section and curved tip with a bright red shade. Apply your chosen skin tone to the face.
Use thin coats to prevent the paper plate from becoming soggy. Lay it flat and let the surface dry completely before adding adhesive.
Drying time depends on the coloring medium and thickness of each coat. Check that both sections are dry before continuing.
3. Add the Cotton Hat Brim
Spread a narrow line of school glue where the upper section meets the face. Press a strip of cotton wool or small fluffy pieces into place.
Add a small piece of white batting or a pom-pom to the curved tip for a soft finishing touch.
Keep the trim narrow enough to leave room for the eyes.
4. Make the Fluffy Beard
Apply school glue along the lower edge and sides of the face. Arrange small pieces of cotton balls, gently pressing each section into place.
Leave the middle of the face open for the facial details. Stretching the fluffy fibers into flatter pieces helps create an even covering without making it too heavy.
5. Add Santa’s Eyes and Nose
Cut two circles from white paper and use a black marker to draw the pupils. Glue them beneath the white brim.
Cut a smaller circle from red paper and attach it between the eyes and fluffy lower section. Try different positions before securing the pieces so your child can choose Santa’s expression.
6. Finish and Let Dry
Add optional pink cheek marks, an eyebrow on each side, or a small smile where visible. Leave the finished Santa flat until the adhesive is completely dry.
Once dry, gently check the fluffy trim and paper decorations. Secure any loose areas before displaying this adorable paper plate Santa.
Using a Printable Santa Template
A printable pattern can help you trace facial pieces or plan the curved shape. Before cutting, compare the printed outlines with your plate.
Start at actual size or 100%. This is only a starting point because not every pattern will fit every plate. Arrange a test set, then adjust the print scale if needed.
For example, if a printed piece measures 6 inches wide and you need it to be 5 inches wide, print it at approximately 83%. Keep matching pieces at the same scale.
Print tracing patterns on cardstock. Cut out the shapes and trace around them onto colored construction paper. Hold each pattern steady on a flat surface and use light pencil lines.
Regular paper works for a one-time pattern. Cardstock works best when preparing several sets for a group.
You can also assemble this project with hand-drawn shapes. Check the download section below for the Santa template offered with this post.
Make a Paper Plate Santa Without Paint
For an optional, less messy variation, cover the plate with colored paper instead of using a brush:
- Have an adult prepare the plate shape.
- Trace the face area onto skin-tone paper and cut it out.
- Trace the upper section onto red paper, including the curved tip.
- Glue the paper sections onto the base.
- Add the fluffy brim, facial hair, eyes, and center detail.
Spread the adhesive evenly, especially around the edges. Press each section flat before attaching the white decorations.
For the simplest version without painting, leave the plate whole and cover its upper section with colored paper. This makes cutting easier while still giving Santa Claus his familiar red hat.
A Toddler-Friendly Version With No Child Cutting
Prepare the plate and all facial pieces before inviting your toddler to join in. Choose the version without painting or decorate the base ahead of time.
Let your child:
- Choose a skin-tone shade.
- Arrange large paper eyes and a small circular piece.
- Help press soft white pieces into adult-applied glue.
- Add cheek marks with a crayon.
Draw the eyes if managing separate pieces is difficult. You can also replace loose cotton with large, pre-cut white paper shapes.
Children don’t need to use scissors for this version. An adult prepares the materials and stays nearby while children assemble.
For more ideas using everyday items, browse our Christmas crafts for preschoolers.
Classroom Prep for 20 Children
Prepare one sample first to check the plate shape, facial pieces, and how much fluffy trim you need.
For 20 children, set out:
- 20 prepared plates, plus a few spares
- 40 white paper eye circles
- 20 small circles for the center of each face
- White fluffy pieces divided into 20 portions, with extra available
- Shared markers and glue
- One labeled drying space per child
Pre-cut the curved upper shapes and small facial details. If painting is part of the activity, schedule a separate session or prepare the bases ahead of time and allow them to dry fully.
For a shorter party project, use the colored-paper variation instead. Place each child’s pieces in an envelope or small tray, and write names on the backs of the plates before assembly.
Use small adhesive bottles or have adults help children who need assistance. Keep the finished decorations flat until pickup.
Help the Cotton Beard Stay Attached
Use washable liquid school glue for the fluffy sections. A glue stick works well for flat paper details but may not hold thicker pieces securely.
Apply enough adhesive to the underside so the fibers contact the plate, then press gently. Avoid soaking the surface or adding heavy layers.
If the white pieces fall off after drying:
- Check that the decorated surface was completely dry.
- Use smaller, flatter sections.
- Add a fresh dab of tacky glue or school adhesive beneath the loose area.
- Leave the repair flat until it dries.
An uncoated paper plate usually provides a better surface for this project than a glossy disposable one.
Alternatives to Cotton Balls
Batting: Cut or gently separate thin pieces for a smooth, fluffy texture.
White tissue paper: Crumple small sections for a textured finish. Use light amounts of adhesive to avoid soaking the tissue.
White felt scraps: Use pre-cut strips for the brim and facial hair. Choose an adhesive suitable for felt and let it dry completely.
White paper: Tear strips or cut simple shapes for a flatter version that is easier to store.
Older children can experiment with different textures and supplies. Keep decorations lightweight if you plan to try the optional puppet or ornament variations.
Turn Your Santa Into a Puppet
For an optional puppet version, attach a jumbo craft stick vertically behind the finished plate once everything is dry. Leave enough of the stick below the base to form a handle.
Use a suitable craft adhesive and secure the stick with tape on the back. Wait until the adhesive has fully set before picking up the puppet.
A smaller paper plate is easier for children to hold and move around. Kids can bring Santa to life by giving him a cheerful voice or using the finished character to act out a Christmas scene.
Pair this version with our Santa stick puppet or Santa paper bag craft for a festive holiday puppet show.
Make a Santa Ornament, Card, or Gift Tag
Christmas Ornament
For an optional ornament variation, use a small plate and lightweight decorations. Have an adult make a hole near the top, keeping it away from the cut edge.
Thread ribbon through the opening and tie a loop. Reinforce the back around the hole with tape if needed.
A larger Santa works well as a door or wall decoration during the holiday season.
Card for Grandparents
Write a Christmas message on the back or attach a folded paper note behind the finished character. Add the child’s name and year.
For a card that fits a regular envelope more easily, create a small Santa face from a cardstock circle using the same decorating steps.
Gift Tag
Create a miniature version on a cardstock circle. Draw the eyes, add a small paper circle in the center, and use thin white strips for the lower facial area to keep the tag flat.
Punch a hole for ribbon and write “To” and “From” on the back.
More Christmas Crafts to Make Together
Try our Build a Santa printable for another cut-and-paste activity.
Children who enjoy arranging characters can create a North Pole printable paper scene for storytelling.
Discover more seasonal projects in our Christmas craft collection and Christmas crafts and printables for kids.
Free Santa Template
Use the download option below to get the printable pattern included with this post. Check the printed pieces against your plate before you trace or cut.
You can also complete the project without a printer by drawing simple circles for the facial features and sketching the curved outline directly onto the base.
What age group can enjoy making this Santa paper plate craft?
Toddlers can help assemble adult-prepared pieces with close supervision. Preschoolers can decorate, arrange facial details, and press down soft white trim. Older children can handle more of the tracing and cutting according to their abilities.
Can preschoolers make it independently?
Many can complete parts of the painting and gluing with an adult nearby. The curved plate cut, small facial pieces, and optional ribbon hole usually require adult assistance.
What can I use if I do not have a printer?
Draw the upper outline by hand. Trace small household circular objects for the eyes and other features, or draw the details directly onto the dry surface.
Can I use googly eyes?
Yes, for children old enough to handle small craft parts safely. Paper or drawn eyes are a better option for children under 3.
How long does the craft take?
Plan for approximately 20–30 minutes of hands-on work, plus preparation and drying time. A pre-decorated or no-paint base makes this fun craft for kids easier to finish in one session.
How should I store the finished Santa?
Let everything dry fully, then store the decoration flat in a shallow box. Keep heavy items off the fluffy facial details and white trim. Place a sheet of paper between finished projects to prevent decorations from catching on one another.
Santa Claus Paper Plate Craft
Make a paper plate Santa with a curved red hat, paper eyes, and a fluffy cotton beard.
Materials
- 1 sturdy, uncoated paper plate
- Red and skin-tone paint
- Cotton wool, cotton balls, or cotton batting
- White and red paper
- Washable school glue
- Glue stick, optional
- Black marker
- Santa template, optional
Tools
- Paintbrush
- Pencil
- Child-safe scissors
- Printer, if using the template
Instructions
- Sketch the hat and face sections on the plate. Have an adult cut a narrow gap to separate the hanging hat tip from the face, leaving the top connected.
- Paint the hat red and the face in a chosen skin tone. Let dry completely.
- Glue cotton along the hat brim and add cotton to its hanging tip.
- Attach cotton around the lower face to form the beard.
- Cut two white paper eyes, draw pupils, and glue them beneath the brim. Add a red paper nose.
- Add optional facial details and leave flat until all glue dries.
Notes
Leave the plate whole for a simpler version. Use liquid school glue for cotton and a glue stick for flat paper details. Adults should prepare the shaped plate and small pieces for younger children.
