I can’t think of anything that is more fun than a good owl-themed kid craft idea! Especially this time of year!
So “WHOOO” is ready to check out and recreate this Hot Air Balloon Riding Owl tutorial today?! It’s going to make your crafty heart float with happiness! I even have you covered with a free printable to get you started! #gluedtomycrafts
Heart Shaped Paper Plate Hot Air Balloon Riding Owl
Up, up, and away!!!! You won’t believe how easy it is to pull together this Paper Plate Valentine Hot Air Balloon Riding Owl craft!
With our latest paper plate craft tutorial, your owl friend is going to be riding in style in a custom hot air balloon you and your child design together, with just some simple materials such as a paper heart plate, cardstock paper and our FREE printable you will find below!
I originally intended this tutorial to be strictly for Valentine’s Day but after thinking long and hard about it, honestly it’s great FOR YEAR LONG crafting!
Just swap out the heart shape for a more “plain” circular paper plate and then let the crafty fun go on as normal, as you make a super awesome hot air balloon that your paper owl friend can take wherever his heart desires! {psst – did you know Hot Air Balloon Day is on June 5th? It’s the perfect excuse to give this crafty idea another try but with different materials!!}
So what are you waiting for?! Let’s make that creativity soar through the air right now! Keep scrolling to check out our heart shaped hot air balloon craft tutorial below. Don’t forget to also grab our FREE OWL BODY PRINTABLE for you to print and add into your Valentine’s Day balloon craft creation. He’s the star of the show so don’t forget him – ok?!
Happy crafting, my friends! Please don’t forget to share pictures of your valentine paper plate hot air balloon creations, on our Facebook page to admire and “love” this time of year! I can’t wait to see your finished paper plate crafts in action! #gluedtomycrafts
RELATED POST: Craft Foam Easter Egg Hot Air Balloon
Hot Air Balloon Craft Supplies:
- Free Owl Printable Template on Box.com
- White Cardstock Paper
- Color Printer
- Crayons or Markers
- Paper Craft Scissors
- Colored Cardstock Paper {mine is KRAFT colored}
- Large RED Heart Paper Plate
- Single Hand Hole Punch
- Stapler or Glue
- Yarn or Twine
- optional materials – washi tape, stickers, sequins, buttons etc.
You can find ALL our favorite craft supplies via our AMAZON SHOP link!
Directions:
- First print out the printable listed above, on a single sheet of white cardstock paper. You only need ONE print per craft.
- Have children decorate and color in their owl shape however THEY like. From crayons to markers, let that creative juice flow!
- When done, trim out the owl shape and discard the remaining paper. Set aside your owl.
- Grab your colored cardstock. Cut out a large basket shape for your hot air balloon. Make sure it’s slightly bigger than your owl shape {so he sits in there nicely!}
- Take the hole punch and punch two holes in the sides of the plate, for where the string will go.
- Go ahead and secure your owl shape inside the basket, on the back side of the paper with either a bit of glue or a stapler. Set aside.
- Next up – grab your large heart shaped basket piece {or a regular paper plate} and decorate the whole paper plate however you like.
- Now punch two holes in it, where the string for the hot air balloon will go.
- Cut TWO long strands of string {about 8 inches, give or take} making sure they are both the same length.
- Go ahead and thread your string through the holes you made in all your pieces, to tie together the heart shaped hot air balloon basket {just make sure not to pull too tight or your paper pieces might rip}
- And that’s it! Add other embellishments you see fit. Then display your paper plate hot air balloon piece proudly for all to see!
PAIR YOUR FINISHED CRAFT WITH OUR —> Craft Foam Heart Unicorn Craft
Valentine Paper Plate Hot Air Balloon Craft
Supplies:
- Free Owl Printable Template
- White Cardstock Paper
- Color Printer
- Crayons or Markers
- Paper Craft Scissors
- Colored Cardstock {mine is KRAFT colored}
- Large RED Heart Paper Plate
- Single Hand Hole Punch
- Stapler or Glue
- Yarn or Twine
- optional materials - Valentine stickers, glitter etc.
Instructions:
- First print out the printable listed above, on a single sheet of white cardstock paper. You only need ONE print per craft.
- Have children decorate and color in their owl shape however THEY like. From crayons to markers, let that creative juice flow!
- When done, trim out the owl shape and discard the remaining paper. Set aside your owl.
- Grab your colored cardstock. Cut out a large basket shape for your hot air balloon. Make sure it's slightly bigger than your owl shape {so he sits in there nicely!}
- Take the hole punch and punch two holes in it, for where the string will go.
- Go ahead and secure your owl shape inside the basket, on the back side of the paper with either glue or a stapler. Set aside.
- Grab your large heart shaped paper plate {or a regular paper plate} and decorate it if you like.
- Now punch two holes in it, where the string for the hot air balloon will go.
- Cut TWO long strands of string {about 8 inches, give or take} making sure they are both the same length.
- Go ahead and thread your string through the holes you made in all your pieces, to tie together the hot air balloon {just make sure not to pull too tight or your paper pieces might rip}
- And that's it! Add other embellishments you see fit. Then display your paper plate hot air balloon piece proudly for all to see!

Get ready to be wowed! Learn how to take inexpensive craft materials and turn them into one-of-a-kind art projects with the help of us!! Be sure to bookmark our website RIGHT NOW, to check back later because our site is constantly GROWING with simple craft ideas for kids!
At Glued To My Crafts we strive to keep the crafty fun going! Kids of all ages can recreate our tutorials. Just check out these impressive blog posts, listed below, from us to see what I’m talking about!
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Cold Hands, Warm Heart Handprint Craft
Pom Pom Painted Hot Air Balloon – Kid Craft
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Jacinta Jayne Martin says
Thank you for sharing what you do. My grand-daughters live a long way away so I’ve been sending them boxes of craft “kits” in recent months now that they are getting a little older (2 and 3). They absolutely love them! I am always pinteresting, and I so end up with one of your wonderful activities and have done lots of them. They are super easy to put together and mail so that the girls can complete them. Thanks for helping me share the love 🙂