Memorial Day is upon us, and I’ve discovered a quick, easy way to add a patriotic touch to any space.
Using just a paper plate, some craft supplies, and a few minutes of your time, you can create a stunning memorial day table decor that honors our fallen heroes.
This simple yet impactful craft is perfect for last-minute preparations, family activities, or classroom projects
In less than 10 minutes, I transformed basic materials into a beautiful tribute that not only decorates but also educates.
Whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply want to show your respect, this craft offers a meaningful way to commemorate the holiday.
Curious about how a paper plate can become a powerful symbol of remembrance? Let me show you how this surprisingly simple project can make a big impact on your Memorial Day observance.
Step 1: Things You’ll Need For Memorial Day Table Decor
- Paper Plate: You’ll need a paper plate as the base of the memorial day craft structure.
- Craft Papers: You’ll need colorful paper sheets as per the memorial day’s theme that are White, Red, and light/dark shades of Blue.
- Scissor: To cut the paper plate and the craft paper shapes you’ll need a standard craft scissor.
- Glue: To stick the colorful paper shapes to the paper plate you will need glue.
Estimated Time taken to make the memorial day craft: It only took 5 to 6 minutes for me to complete this beautiful piece of decor for the memorial day.
Step 2: Cutting the Paper Plate
I used the paper plate as the main base of the craft structure.
I made sure to cut the paper plate properly and in equal halves.
If the cut isn’t straight or even, the final structure wouldn’t stand still on a flat surface.
I found it helpful to use a ruler and pencil to measure and mark a straight line before cutting the paper plate in half.
For this particular craft project, I only needed one half of the paper plate.
However, if you want, you can use the second half and make two structures at the same time. I had five children involved with me, so I used three paper plates and shared each half with them, keeping one for myself.
Step 3: Preparing/Cutting the Shapes
I cut oval shapes from light blue, red, and white paper sheets.
For the stars, I cut a mix of small and slightly larger shapes using all the shades, as shown in image 3.2 above.
To quickly create multiple oval shapes, I folded a strip of paper several times before cutting.
I made sure to keep the opposite edges pointy so that the shapes resembled flower petals.
Step 4: Sticking The Shapes
It was time to assemble and glue the shapes to the paper plate and complete the structure.
I picked the blue oval shapes and stuck them on one by one, starting from the left of the paper plate.
Next, I aligned and stuck the white and red oval shapes beside the blue ones, as seen in image 4.2 above.
Step 5: Assembling the Star Shapes
See how quickly we’ve reached the final step of the activity? I arranged and stuck the star shapes onto the blank circular portion of the paper plate.
You can arrange and stick them in any pattern you like, ensuring they look evenly distributed.
Once completed, I placed it right on my television desk, and it really added a decorative touch with its amazing appearance, as seen in the image above.
If it isn’t balancing well on a tabletop, simply mount it on a wall or add support to the back.
Video Walkthrough of Paper Plate Memorial Day Craft
Final Thoughts
This Paper plate memorial day craft is a perfect activity for families or classrooms, fostering patriotism and creativity.
I recommend using this craft as a centerpiece for Memorial Day gatherings or as a decorative element in homes and schools.
The project’s versatility allows for personalization i.e. consider adding names of veterans or fallen heroes to make it more meaningful.
To enhance durability, I suggest using cardstock instead of regular paper.
For a more eco-friendly approach, repurposed materials like old magazines or newspapers for the colored shapes.
This craft not only serves as a beautiful decoration but also as a conversation starter about the significance of Memorial Day, making it an excellent tool for educating children about this important holiday.
Note: For your reference I have also shared the complete video walkthrough of this Paper plate table decor activity on our official YouTube channel.
