Paint Splat and Paper Plate Squirrel Craft Idea For Kids

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Fall is here, and there’s no cuter way to celebrate than with a little woodland friend! This paper plate squirrel is bursting with autumn charm, from his marbled paint splat belly to the tiny felt pumpkin he holds so proudly in his paper handprint paws. He’s the kind of project that makes kids beam with pride once he’s finished, and he looks adorable taped to a window or hung on the fridge all season long.

The best part? This paint splat squirrel craft uses simple supplies you probably already have on hand, plus a FREE printable template to make things extra easy. Whether you’re crafting at home with your own little ones or setting up a station for a classroom full of eager hands, this paper plate squirrel tutorial is a keeper. Let’s make some memories (and one fluffy little squirrel)!

Craft Supplies:

Gather these supplies before you get started:

1 white paper plate – this becomes your squirrel’s body
Brown paint – we used two different colors of brown Tulip fabric paint
Loose craft glitter – for that cozy fall sparkle
Googly eyes – two large ones give the best look
Crayons or Markers – for coloring the printable
White cardstock – to print the squirrel printable
Brown cardstock – for the handprint cutouts
Scissors – for cutting out your paper elements
Stapler – to secure the pieces to the paper plate
Free squirrel printable – from our landing page

Directions:

Step 1: Create the Paint Splat Squirrel Body

This is the messy, magical part, so grab a smock or an old shirt!
Fold your white paper plate in half, then open it back up. Squeeze a generous blob of brown paint onto one side of the plate near the fold. You can add a few dots of a lighter tan shade too if you want extra texture.
Now for the fun part! Fold the plate closed again and gently squish and press all over with your hands. Rub the paint around so it spreads inside. When you open the plate back up, you’ll see a beautiful symmetrical, textured brown design. Every single one looks different, which is what makes this technique so exciting for kids.

Step 2: Sprinkle on the Glitter

While the paint is still wet, sprinkle glitter all over the paper plate. The wet paint acts like glue and holds the glitter in place. Give the plate a gentle tap to shake off any loose bits. Set paint covered plate aside your piece for now.

Step 3: Color the Squirrel Head and Tail

While the plate dries, print your free template onto white cardstock and hand over the brown crayons. Color the top half of the squirrel’s head and both ears a nice cozy brown. Then color the inner curve of the bushy tail to match. Cardstock holds up better than regular paper here, so it stays sturdy through all that coloring.
At this point in time you should also glue on the wiggle eyes for him to see.
Once the coloring is done, carefully cut out both the head and the tail.

Step 4: Trace and Cut the Handprint Paws

Here comes the personal touch! Trace your child’s hand twice onto brown construction paper, then cut out both handprints. These little paws are what makes each squirrel unique, and they’re the perfect keepsake to look back on as your kids grow.

Step 4: Print and Cut the Acorn Cap

Print the free acorn cap printable onto brown cardstock. Cardstock holds up better than regular paper and gives the cap a sturdier feel.
Once printed, carefully cut out the acorn cap along the outline, including the little stem at the top. For younger kids, you may want to handle the cutting yourself or use safety scissors with supervision.

Step 5: Assemble Your Squirrel

Now for the fun of putting it all together. Once your painted plate is fully dry:
Attach the head. Staple the squirrel head to the top of the paper plate.
Add the tail. Attach the bushy tail to the left side of the plate.
Position the paws. Staple one handprint to each side of the plate, curving them inward so they look like they’re reaching toward the center. For added element, add a felt pumpkin shape to the center.
Now display your child’s paper plate squirrel creation proudly for all to see!

There’s nothing we love more than seeing your finished creations. Once your little woodland buddy is done, snap a photo and share it with us! Tag @GLUEDTOMYCRAFTS so we can cheer on your crafters and maybe even feature your squirrel.