Kids love animal crafts, and parents love projects that do not require an emergency trip to the craft store. This simple paper plate chicken is the perfect activity for a rainy afternoon, a farm-themed classroom lesson, or just some creative weekend fun.
By using everyday household items like basic white paper plates and colorful construction paper, you can help your little ones build an adorable feathered friend in minutes. Creating this craft also helps young children practice their fine motor skills through cutting, gluing, and placing small shapes.
Craft Supplies:
One of the best parts about this craft is how budget-friendly it is. You likely already have everything you need in your kitchen or craft bin. Gather the following supplies:
- One standard white paper plate (the thin, inexpensive ones work best)
- Construction paper in red and yellow (or orange)
- One large plastic googly eye
- Scissors
- A stapler (or a glue stick)
Directions:
Follow these simple steps to bring your paper plate farm animal to life. If you are working with a large group of kids, you might want to pre-cut the construction paper shapes ahead of time.
Step 1: Prepare the body and wing
Take one white paper plate. Carefully cut a short slit from the edge of the plate toward the center, stopping about halfway. Gently fold this section down to make a wing that sticks out from the side of the plate.
Step 2: Create and shape the wing
After making the small slit in your paper plate as described above, gently fold the cut section downward so it lays angled out from the body – this flap will form your chicken’s wing. There’s no need for extra plates or gluing here! The simple fold creates a fun, dimensional effect and gives your chicken a playful, “flapping” wing.
Step 3: Cut out the facial features
Grab your construction paper and scissors. Cut a small yellow triangle for the beak. Next, cut a long, rounded red oval for the wattle (the little red pouch under a chicken’s beak) and a bright red heart shape for the comb.
Step 4: Assemble the chicken’s face
Staple or glue the yellow triangle beak to the left edge of your main paper plate, pointing outward. Attach the red wattle just below the beak. Finally, attach the red heart right side up at the top center of the plate to act as the chicken’s comb.
Step 5: Add the eye and display
Glue your large googly eye onto the upper-left area of the main plate, right above the beak. Add any other embellishments you see fit and display it proudly for ALL to see!
RELATED —> Fork Painted Chicken Craft Idea
Recreating this super easy paper plate chicken is a wonderful way to encourage creativity without creating a massive mess. It is a highly approachable project that brings joy and a sense of accomplishment to crafters of all ages. Now that you have a cute new farm animal sitting in your home or classroom, you can easily create a whole flock!
Grab your paper plates, round up the kids, and get crafting today. Try this out this weekend, and be sure to display your little chicken proudly on the fridge or a classroom bulletin board! Happy crafting, my friends!
RELATED —> Handprint Chicken Puppet Craft


