Santa Paper Plate Craft (Free Santa Template)
If you’re looking for a fun and easy Christmas craft that little ones can enjoy, then this Santa paper plate craft is just the thing. Using simple craft supplies like paper plates, cotton, paint, and a free Santa Template, you can make an adorable paper plate Santa that’s perfect for the holiday season.
Not only is this project great for preschool and kindergarten, but it’s also a fun Christmas craft for kids that older siblings can join in on as well.
Paper Plate Santa Craft for Kids
Whether you’re a teacher planning fun activities for your classroom or a parent looking for a simple DIY project at home, this paper plate Santa Claus craft will keep little kids engaged, creative, and in the holiday spirit.
Additionally, it’s ideal for small hands, helping children develop their fine motor skills as they cut, paint, and glue.
Let’s dive into everything you need to know to make a paper plate Santa that’s as cute as it is festive!
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Supplies Needed to Make a Santa Paper Plate Craft:
Before we start, here’s a quick supply checklist for your paper plate Santa Claus craft.
- Paper plates (the star of the show!)
- Red and brown paint (for the hat and face)
- A bit of fluff or cotton wool (for the fluffy beard and brim)
- Scissor (child-safe ones for little kids)
- Glue or a glue stick
- Red paper (for the nose and hat details)
- White paper or cardstock (for the eyes if you don’t have googly eyes)
- Black marker or crayon (for eye details)
- Pom or pom poms (optional for the hat tip)
Step-by-Step Directions To Make A Santa Paper Plate Craft:
Now let’s get crafty! Here’s the simple direction guide for assembling your very own paper plate Santa.
Step 1: Prepare the Base
Start with a circular paper plate. Using paint, cover the back of the paper plate—the top half in bright red for the Santa hat, and the bottom half in light pink or skin tone for the face.
Step 2: Add the Beard and Hat Brim
Take your cotton wool or cotton balls and glue them along the bottom edge of the circle to form Santa’s beard. Don’t forget the brim of the Santa hat—a fluffy cotton strip right above the face makes it look extra cozy. If you have a pom, glue it to the tip of the hat.
Step 3: Create the Eyes
Cut out two circles from white paper or cardstock. Use a black marker to draw pupils or stick on googly eyes if you have them. (This is where a circle punch can come in handy if you want neat circles.) Then, glue them above the beard.
Step 4: Attach the Nose
Use red cardstock paper or a pom-pom for the nose. Cut a small circle, and glue it right in the middle of the face.
Step 5: Add Final Details
You can draw a little mustache, rosy cheeks with pink paint, or even use coloring pages of Santa Claus as inspiration. Let the kids use their imagination and add their own touch.
And just like that—you’ve made a paper plate Santa that’s both adorable and festive.
Tips and Tricks for Success
- Cut out two hats ahead of time if you’re working with younger kids to save time.
- Use a printable template or a free online template if you want a ready-made direction guide. (Many printables make things easier for teachers.)
- If working with little ones or preschoolers, let them focus on gluing while you handle the scissor work.
- Swap the fluffy trim for tissue paper, felt, or even fabric scraps for a different texture.
- For classrooms, print and download a template so that each child starts with the same materials.
Benefits of This Paper Plate Santa Craft
This isn’t just a craft for kids—it’s also an opportunity for learning.
- Fine motor skills: Cutting, gluing, and painting strengthen coordination.
- Creativity: Choosing colors, adding details, and experimenting with textures builds imagination.
- Fun activities: Adding soft trim makes the craft both tactile and enjoyable.
- Perfect for little hands: Simple steps mean young children can succeed without frustration.
Plus, it’s a fun christmas tradition you can repeat every year, watching how your child’s version evolves as they grow.
Free Santa Template
If freehand drawing isn’t your thing, don’t worry. You can easily download a printable template that gives you all the shapes you need.
From the Santa hat triangle to the circles, these guides make it super simple to assemble your paper plate Santa Claus craft.
Teachers especially love using templates because they save time and ensure every child has the same starting point. Many printables are available for free online, including other fun activities such as coloring pages of Santa, to pair with the craft.
Christmas Paper Plate Crafts
This project is ideal for preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school students.
- Preschooler: Focus on gluing and pointing out where details go.
- Kindergarten: Let them cut out two circles for eyes and use a glue stick independently.
- Elementary: Encourage more detail—drawing Santa’s mustache, adding glitter, or even writing “Ho Ho Ho” on red paper.
No matter the age, it’s a lot of fun, and trust me, kids will love showing off their creations.
More Fun Paper Plate Crafts
If you enjoyed the Santa Paper Plate Craft, here are more playful and creative paper plate projects to try.
- Carrot Paper Plate Craft – A bright and simple carrot craft that’s great for spring or Easter.
- Starfish Paper Plate Craft – A colorful ocean-themed craft featuring a starfish.
- Frog Paper Plate Craft – A cheerful frog craft that’s easy and fun for kids.
- Star Wars Craft for Kids – A creative project perfect for little Star Wars fans.
The paper plate Santa craft is one of those fun and easy Christmas crafts that checks all the boxes: budget-friendly, fun christmas, adorable, and educational.
From using cotton wool for Santa’s trim to attaching the brim of the Santa hat, every step is engaging and builds creativity.
So grab your paper plates, glue stick, red cardstock paper, and let’s make a paper plate Santa!
Santa Claus Paper Plate Craft
Create a jolly Santa paper plate craft with a bright red hat, fluffy cotton beard, and a big red nose—perfect for classroom parties or a cozy afternoon at home. This easy project utilizes simple supplies, develops fine-motor skills (such as cutting, gluing, and painting), and consistently turns out adorable results. Hang it on the tree, tape it to a door, or line up a whole wall of Santas for instant holiday cheer.
Materials
- Paper plate
- Free Santa Template
- Construction papers (white/black/red; peach or light brown optional)
- Red paint and brown/peach paint (for the face)
- Cotton balls or cotton batting
- Scissors
- Glue (glue stick + school glue)
- Marker (black; optional pink crayon/marker for cheeks)
Instructions
- Print the template
Download the free Santa template and print it at home (100Actual Size/100%. For sturdier pieces, use white cardstock. You can also print directly onto red/peach paper to skip tracing. - Prep the plate
Lightly mark a line about ⅓ from the top of the plate (hat above, face below). Paint the hat area red and the face area a light brown or peach. Let dry 10–15 minutes. - Cut the template pieces.
From the printed template, cut: hat band, pom-pom, eyes (and pupils if included), nose, mustache (if included), and any optional accents. If you prefer to print on white, trace the pieces onto colored construction paper before cutting. - Attach hat trim
Glue the hat bandGlue the hat band across the line where the hat meets the face. Glue the hat band across the line where the hat meets the face. Add the pom-pom to the hat tip. (You can swap either piece for cotton if you want extra fluff.) - Build the beard
Stretch cotton into thin, soft pieces and glue them around the lower half of the face for a full beard effect. If your template includes a mustache, glue it above where the mouth will be. - Add the face
Glue on the eyes just under the hat band; add pupils if separate. Glue the red nose centered between the eyes and the beard. Use a marker to draw eyebrows and a small smile. Add rosy cheeks with a pink crayon/marker. - Finishing touches
Tidy edges, then let everything dry thoroughly. Punch a hole and add ribbon to hang, or glue a craft stick to the back for a puppet.
Print Tips: Use cardstock for template durability. Select 'Best' or 'High' print quality for crisp outlines. Keep scaling at 100% so pieces fit the plate perfectly. For groups, pre-cut template pieces and pre-paint plates to speed assembly
