Paper Plate Crab Craft for KIDS (Free Template Included)

Who knew a paper plate crab craft for kids could be so much fun?

If your little ones are fascinated by the ocean, this sea animal craft will be a hit! Creating a cute crustacean using simple materials like a paper plate is a fantastic way to spend quality time with your children.

This kids craft is not only easy but also educational, introducing them to the world of ocean creatures.

So, gather your supplies and let’s dive right into this delightful ocean craft that will keep your kids entertained and make them feel proud of their adorable paper plate crabs.

Before you begin, let’s take a quick look at the making of the paper crab template below.

Step 1: Making The Crab Template (Optional If you are downloading a ready made crab template)

I’ve created a special template with all the parts of the crab.

First, I drew the outlines with a pencil, then traced them with a black marker. I skipped the main body design since we’ll use a paper plate for that.

Step 2: Downloading the paper crab template

Check out the image above to see what the paper crab template looks like.

I’ve made it available in two versions i.e. colorful crab template and a blank crab template.

You can download and print both with just a few clicks.

If your kids want to add their own colors, use the blank template for customization. For a quicker start, print the colorful template and dive right into the activity.

Step 3: Things You’ll Need For This Paper Plate Crab Craft

• Paper Plate: You will need a paper plate as the main body structure of the crab. You can use a medium sized regular paper plate or as per availability.
• Template: Download and print the paper crab template from step 2.
• Scissor: To cut the shapes and required elements you will need a scissor.
• Glue: To stick the shapes to the paper plate you will need glue and a multipurpose glue will do the trick.

With all the above elements ready let’s start with the paper plate crab activity.

Step 4: Cutting The Crab Template Shapes

I used the colorful template to create the crab.

First, I downloaded and printed the crab template on standard A4 paper.

Once the template was ready, I carefully cut out the shapes with scissors. Precision is key here to ensure the crab’s structure looks just right.

Step 5: Trimming the paper plate

To achieve the typical shape of the crab’s body, I began by trimming the paper plate from the top and bottom.

As shown in the image 5.2 above, I simply formed an oval shape before attaching the crab’s parts to it.

Step 6: Assembling the Crab’s Arms

Now, it was time to put together the crab’s shapes onto the paper plate.

I aligned the crab’s arms to the sides and attached them from behind the paper plate.

Applying glue to the edges of the arms, I pressed them behind the plate to secure them in place (do the same to get the body in place).

Step 7: Assembling the Crab Legs

Next, I aligned the six leg shapes around the crab’s body structure before sticking them on.

Placing three legs on the left and three on the right according to their directions, I ensured balance.

Just like with the arms, I applied glue to the edges of the leg shapes and pressed them behind the paper plate to secure them.

Step 8: Fixing the crab eyes and mouth shapes

With that, we’ve reached the final step of the paper plate crab activity, that is to fix the eyes and mouth shapes in place.

First, I aligned the eyes at the top of the structure and secured them with multipurpose glue.

Then, I positioned and attached the mouth shape to the center of the paper plate.

This finished off the paper plate crab structure, and if you glance at the final image below, it looks absolutely adorable.

Video Walkthrough of paper plate crab craft for kids

Final Thoughts

I cannot emphasize enough how engaging and educational this activity is for young minds.

By creating their own crustacean masterpiece, children not only unleash their creativity but also develop an appreciation for ocean life.

I highly recommend parents and educators to incorporate this craft into their repertoire, as it fosters crucial skills such as fine motor coordination, pattern recognition, and spatial awareness.

Furthermore, the sense of accomplishment and pride that shines through when kids unveil their adorable paper plate crabs is truly priceless.

To enhance the learning experience, I suggest exploring fun facts about crabs and their habitats, encouraging kids to name their creations, and even organizing a mini ocean-themed exhibition showcasing their artistic talents. 

Note: I have also shared a complete video walkthrough of this paper plate Crab craft on our official YouTube channel for your reference.

Frequently Asked Questions