My heart goes out to those parents and kids trapped inside during this awful Irish summer we’ve been having. Keeping kids entertained is a full time job and here’s a great (and cheap) activity that kept my lady occupied for ages, there’s something about gluing and sticking that she just loves.
I bought a packet of 50 paper plates in Tesco for €2.45 and it’s up there with the best €2.45 I’ve spent in a long time. You can use whatever crafty items you have at home to create wonderful paper plate crafts – glitter, paint, glue sticks, pompoms, wool, lollipop sticks, markers, my lady even started gluing sheets of kitchen paper to them. Cheap and cheerful and gets their imagination going a little better than a blank sheet of paper.
Here are the instructions to create a simple butterfly.
What you need:
- A paper plate
- A lollipop stick
- Glue
- Paints and paintbrush
- Scissors
- Imagination
1. Paint the paper plate first and let it dry.
2. Cut the plate in half and then cut out the butterfly wing shape as shown.
3. Stick the two wings onto the lollipop stick and let the glue dry.
4. Then feel free to let your child attack the butterfly again with glitter/stickers/pompoms etc! We also did an umbrella, particularly fitting for this summer!
Great craft idea Eimear! I have to admit, I’m an awful mammy and don’t do any crafts with TL. I tried when he was younger but he wasn’t interested and I just gave up, I really should start again though. The umbrella creation is just perfect for the awful summer we’ve had.
Ya in fairness they need to be old enough otherwise it’s hardship trying to paint or glue when it goes everywhere including mouths!!
The umbrella also looks like you could transform it into a jellyfish! So many options!!! Love paper plate crafting we do 🙂
Ah a jellyfish that’s a great idea!!!!
I can see that you could have a lot of fun with these. Making a butterfly looks very easy.
We love crafting with paper plates – we always have a pack in the cupboard. We also use them as paint trays – no washing up afterwards!
Oh that’s a good idea to use them as paint trays!!
This is great! My children would love the umbrella one! Thanks for the ideas and inspiration, we will be trying this! 🙂
Great post. I am always on the lookout for new craft ideas/projects to do with the kids. Perfect for rainy summer days.
Likewise, craft ideas keep them entertained for ages especially new ideas!
Oh, this is so great, Eimear. I’m delighted to have some ideas for how to fill the next few days which are looking like they’re going to be very wet!
I know there’s no let up with the bad weather!!
These look amazing, something that Boo and I could have lots of fun making (and make lots of mess in the process). I love the umbrella one =)
Paper plate crafts are always so much fun. There are so many creative ideas that come from them. Love the umbrella! 🙂
I remember as a kid I love paper plate crafts. Its something I haven’t done with my 2 but now I think I am going to try it. I always remember it was great fun. x
I always remember doing paper plate crafts when I was a kid. It was great and I must try it with my 2. x
I really like how creative you’ve got, the umbrella is very apt for the weather right now.I don’t allow my kids to paint in the house.I know I’m a rubbish mum but having loom bands, lego and Hama beads everywhere, I draw the line at paint.
Oh we have hama beads too, great to keep them entertained too but with a 15 month old around too it’s hard to keep them from going everywhere!
I bought some paper plates a few days ago to do crafts with Oscar this next week. Bookmarking this post for reference as you have some great ideas.
Louise x
Great activity for little ones. I have been bound to the house a lot this summer due to having home visits from midwives every other day and it’s been a nightmare to try and keep my daughter entertained! I think we will have to try this today xxx
Great activity for little ones! We have been bound to the house most days this summer due to me having to have midwife visits alternate days to check me over- it’s been really hard to entertain my daughter! We may just give this a go today! X
Thank you for a lovely post full of ideas! We’re a craft loving family, though my son who’s nine now doesn’t seem to enjoy it as much as he did when he was younger! These are ideas to add to the ideas book, I’ve never thought about cutting up paper plates, that umbrella is so cool! x
I love this! Have bookmarked it to do with my little girl as I know she would enjoy doing this x
Brilliant to hear, have fun!!!
Two brill crafts, i love the umbrella especially fitting I’m definitely keeping these in mind for when i head back to Ladybirds in september!
Ya it a nice easy craft idea for groups too!
What a great activity – the umbrella is so very apt for us – all we have had is rain here! I must try with Pickle. Kaz x
Ha I know Kaz it’s rain rain rain here too 🙁
We always have a stash of paper plates for rainy day crafts, and now we have a few more great ideas of what to do with them! Great ideas
oh wow. How simple. I’m absolute rubbish at crafts so I really enjoy finding simple ideas like this. I’m going to try this out on the weekend for sure.
Wow! That’s so inventive! I’d never have thought of that and will be trying it out next time I mind my nephew!