If you give a child a paper plate, they’re going to want some paint. And if you give them paint, they’ll probably want glitter. And once the glitter comes out, you’ve got the start of a very happy afternoon.
This muffin craft pairs perfectly with Laura Numeroff’s If You Give a Moose a Muffin. Kids squish paint onto a half paper plate to make a puffy muffin top, glue on a paper wrapper, and finish with a shower of orange glitter “spice.” It’s messy in the best way, simple to prep, and the results look good enough to eat.
It works well in a classroom, at the kitchen table, or as a library story time activity.
Craft Supplies:
You’ll need just a few simple supplies:
- Paper plates, cut in half (one half per child)
- Washable paint in light brown/dark brown
- Orange glitter (fine glitter works best)
- Construction paper or cardstock for the wrapper (any color/we used gray)
- Scissors
- Glue stick or school glue
- Marker or crayon for drawing wrapper lines
- Optional: a sheet of colored paper to mount the finished muffin on
- Optional: ground cinnamon to mix into the paint for a muffin smell
- Optional: paint smocks and a tray or newspaper for the table
Directions:
Step 1: Cut and Fold the Plate
Start off by cutting your large paper plate in half. One half equals ONE muffin. Go ahead and fold your paper plate in half and open it back up.
Place the half paper plate on the table with the flat, cut edge at the bottom and the curved edge at the top. That rounded top is your muffin dome.
Step 2: Add Dollops of Paint
Have kids squeeze or spoon small blobs of paint all over the plate half. Encourage them to mix colors, like a few tan dots and a touch of brown. There’s no wrong way to do this. More variety makes a tastier-looking muffin.
Step 3: Squish and Splat
Now fold the paper plate back up and smoosh the paint with their hands. Be sure to spread and swirl together underneath.
Gently open the paper plate back up. The paint will have a splotchy, swirly texture that looks just like a baked muffin top.
Step 4: Sprinkle on the Spice
While the paint is still wet, have kids sprinkle orange glitter {and cinnamon} over the muffin top. This is the “spice.” The wet paint acts like glue, so the glitter sticks right on.
Step 5: Let It Dry
Set the muffin top aside to dry. This usually takes 20 to 30 minutes, depending on how thick the paint is. It’s a great time for a snack, a second read of the book, or a quick moose dance break.
Step 6: Decorate the Wrapper
While the paint dries, kids can decorate their trapezoid wrapper. Have them draw straight lines from top to bottom to look like the pleats on a real muffin liner. They can also add dots, stripes, or patterns.
Step 7: Attach the Wrapper
Once the muffin top is dry, flip the trapezoid so the wide side is at the top. Glue the top of the wrapper behind the flat edge of the plate, letting the plate overlap the wrapper slightly. Now it looks like the muffin is puffing up out of its liner.
Step 8: Mount and Display (Optional)
Glue the finished muffin onto a sheet of colored paper. Kids can write their name and a sentence like “If you give a moose a muffin, he’ll want…” and fill in their own idea.
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GRAB THE BOOK “IF YOU GIVE A MOOSE A MUFFIN” VIA OUR AMAZON AFFILIATE LINK
This muffin craft is proof that the simplest supplies can lead to big smiles. Kids get to squish, sprinkle, cut, and create, all while connecting with a story they’ll want to hear again and again.
No two muffins will look the same, and that’s the best part. Some will be extra swirly, some will be loaded with glitter, and some might be a little lopsided. Every single one is perfect.
So grab your paper plates, gather your little bakers, and see where the story takes you. After all, if you give a kid a muffin craft, they’ll probably want to make another one. Happy crafting, my friends!
