Just like ALL our kid friendly crafts & tutorials on the blog – this Paper Plate Cricket activity is super simple, fun for all ages and really inexpensive too! Did I mention it also goes along perfectly with the book The Very Quiet Cricket {affiliate link} by Eric Carle!

One day a tiny cricket is born and meets a big cricket who chirps his welcome. The tiny cricket tries to respond, but there is no sound. The quiet cricket then makes his way into the world, meeting one insect after another, each of whom greets the little cricket with a cheery hello–the hum of a bee, the whirr of a dragonfly, the whisper of a praying mantis. The cricket rubs his wings together each time, but nothing happens, not a sound. Until the day he meets another cricket, a female, and something different happens . . .

As children turn the page on this wonderful moment, they are greeted with a surprise–an actual chirp!

Full of Eric Carle’s gorgeous and lush collage art, a gentle rhythmic text for read-alouds, and a wonder-inducing surprise at the end, The Very Quiet Cricket remains an all-time favorite from one of the true masters of picture-book making.

So what are you waiting for? It’s perfect for spring, so let’s grab those craft supplies and get to work on this simple DIY kid craft ASAP. Happy crafting {and reading} with your little ones, my friends!

Supplies:

* Large Paper Plate
* Green Colored Tissue Paper
* Green/Red/Black Cardstock
* Glue
* Scissors
* Stapler
* Gold Pipe Cleaner

Directions:

* First cut your paper plate in half. Reserve one half for today’s craft and save the other for another day!
* Next take your green tissue paper and cut it into small squares {let the kids practice their cutting skills}
* Take your paper plate half and put a good amount of glue all over it. Have children place the tissue paper on top of the glue, until the paper plate is completely covered.
* When they are done with that, set it aside to let it dry completely while you trim out the other cricket features from your cardstock {use the book cover as a good guide on what to cut out & how}
* To finish off the Paper Plate Cricket kid craft – simply staple the finished cardstock pieces and gold pipe cleaner {folded in half} in their designated spots. Then display proudly!

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If you are looking for even MORE easy kid craft ideas that go along with our favorite children’s books, be sure to check out these fun posts. And “if” you decide to make our Eric Carle Paper Plate Cricket craft, please share a picture on our Facebook page or tag us on Instagram with #gluedtomycrafts for us to see. We love seeing our inspiration come to life!

Paper Plate Cookie & Handprint Craft
Dr Seuss Inspired Leopard {Kid Craft}
Dr Seuss Inspired Fish {Kid Craft}
Paper Plate Pigeon {Kid Craft}
Paper Plate Cat In The Hat {Kid Craft}
Paper Plate Baker {Kid Craft}