Paper Plate Banjo – Pretend Instrument & Kid Craft Idea

Crafting inspiration can hit ANYTIME and ANYWHERE for me. Take for example, today’s Paper Plate Banjo – Kid Craft that was inspired by a basic wavy craft stick. Yes – an inexpensive wooden craft stick I had in my stash inspired me to make a banjo. Random huh?

It ALL started when I was cleaning out my drawers in my craft room when I came an unopened pack. As I held it, it dawned on me that it was perfect handle to a guitar and/or banjo. Yup – I know it’s hard to believe that a little piece of wood would make me think of that but it’s true!

After I played around with several different ideas in my head, the idea of a banjo finally came together nicely on my craft table. In fact – it’s better than what I had originally envisioned!

So without ado – grab your craft supplies and make one up with your child today too! You can find ALL the details you need to know in my full step-by-step tutorial below, along with the supply list. Remember – this banjo is just for PRETEND and doesn’t make any noises or sounds on it’s own! So be sure to encourage your kids to make unique musical noises with it, as they hold it in their hands afterwards!

Happy crafting and starting that creativity, my friends! Don’t forget to share pictures your pretend banjo craft pieces with us on our Facebook page to admire from a far today! #gluedtomycrafts

PAIR YOUR BANJO PAPER PLATE CRAFT WITH —> Popsicle Stick Christmas Carolers – Kid Craft

Pretend Banjo Craft Supplies:

* Large Paper Plate – one per banjo craft
* Brown Craft Paint
* Foam Paint Brush
* Large Wavy Craft Stick
* Black Cardstock Paper
* Silver Pipe Cleaners – three per banjo craft
* Low-Temp Glue Gun
* Kid Friendly Craft Scissors
* Gold Washi Tape

The How-To Directions:

* First grab your large paper plate, craft paint and paint brush.
* Squirt some paint on the rim of the paper plate.
* Using the paint brush, paint ONLY the rim of the paper plate.
* When done, set it aside to allow it to dry completely.
* At this point in time you should also paint the wavy craft stick completely brown and set it aside as well.
* Now grab your scissors, silver pipe cleaner {one} and black cardstock.
* Cut the silver pipe cleaner into three equal pieces.
* Out of the black cardstock, cut out THREE knobs for the handle part.
* When the paper plate and craft stick are dry, get the glue gun hot and ready.
* Hot glue the craft stick to the back of the paper plate to make the banjo handle.
* Follow that up by gluing on the black paper pieces to the handle.
* Now are the pipe cleaner “strings.” Take the three pipe cleaner pieces, line them up next to each other and hot glue them to the center of the painted paper plate.
* Now tear off two pieces of washi tape and place them over the pipe cleaner “strings” {one on each end} to tidy up the banjo look.
* And that’s it! To finish off the banjo kid craft – set it aside to allow it to dry completely. Add more hot glue if you feel like things are not secure enough.
* Then display and/or play with proudly!

If you are looking for even MORE easy kid craft ideas to do today, be sure to check out these fun posts listed below.

And “if” you decide to make today’s musical themed paper plate banjo instrument craft idea, please share a picture on our Facebook page for us to see. We love seeing our inspiration come to life!

Paper Plate Rocket {Kid Craft}
Tissue Paper Apple {Kid Craft}
Popsicle Stick Fish {Kid Craft}
Paper Plate Shark {Kid Craft}
Paper Plate Donut {Kid Craft}