Paper Plate Christmas Characters: Santa, Rudolph, Snowman

Whether you’re crafting with a toddler or a school aged child this Christmas, these iconic characters are fun for a wide range of age groups. Cotton balls and white glue are a toddler’s best crafting friend as they stick instantly without falling off! So pull out the crayons and the paper plates and I’ll show you how to make these fun Christmas paper plate characters.

For these paper plate crafts you will need:

3 paper plates
Cotton balls
Scrapbook paper or construction paper
Black Sharpie marker
Crayons: brown, peach, dark pink
4 brown pipe cleaners
2 large pom-poms (can use cotton balls)
1 large glittery red pom-pom
1 medium glittery red pom-pom
4-inch piece of ribbon
1 large jingle bell
8 small glittery pom-poms
White craft glue
Tape
Pattern 1 and pattern 2

A note about the age groups for this craft. Quite often paper plate crafts like these are made using craft paint for the colors. I chose to use crayons for this project instead. Paint is fun for sure, but there’s drying time involved and it can be messy. So for a less-mess alternative, and a simpler version for younger kids, crayons are a better bet. You could certainly make yours with paint instead if you prefer!

Also, there are a few optional elements to this craft. Instead of using pipe cleaners for the antlers on Rudolph, you could trace your child’s hands onto brown construction paper. For older kids, include the step where they will add the sparkly pom-poms to the antlers, but maybe leave that step off for little ones whose fine motor skills aren’t quite ready.

I used scrapbook paper instead of construction paper, simply because I thought it would be fun. That’s what’s important about crafting with your kids, fun! Of course, it needs to be affordable too, so don’t feel you have to run out and buy scrapbook paper for this project. Construction paper works wonderfully and it’s a supply I highly recommend having on hand at all times.

And finally, the jingle bell was for fun, so if you don’t have one, no worries! If you have a lid from a plastic milk jug, use your marker to write Rudolph across the front of it and glue it to the collar. Use your imagination and when needed, substitute items as you go along.

Turn paper plates upside down. Color one of them brown and color the center of another one with the peach crayon.

Rudolph
Using the pattern, cut Rudolph’s ears from brown paper and glue or tape them to the back of the brown paper plate. Glue a large red glittery pom-pom to the center of the plate. Use a dark pink crayon to color circles for rosy cheeks. Use a black marker to add eyes, eyebrows and a smile. Cut the collar from red paper and glue or tape at the bottom, attaching it to the back of the plate. String ribbon through the jingle bell and tie in a knot. Trim excess and glue or tape to the collar.

To make the antlers you will need 3 brown pipe cleaners for each antler. Bend one pipe cleaner in half. Cut two pipe cleaners in half and then bed those in half. Twist the smaller pipe cleaners around the larger pipe cleaner, two on the left and two on the right. Repeat these steps for the second antler. Glue glittery pom-poms to the antlers and glue the antlers to the back of the paper plate.

Santa
Using the pattern, cut Santa’s hat from red paper and glue it to the top of the plate with the peach center. Glue a white pom-pom to the end of the hat. Glue a glittery red pom-pom to the center of the plate. Use black marker to draw eyes and eyebrows. Use pink crayon to color circles for rosy cheeks. Use white craft glue to cover the outer areas of the plate with cotton balls to create the brim for the hat and Santa’s beard.

Snowman
Using the pattern, cut the snowman’s hat from a light blue paper and glue it to the top of the plain paper plate. Cut the snowman’s nose from orange paper and glue it to the center of the paper plate. Colors a circle with dark pink crayon to create a rosy cheek. Use a black marker to draw eyes, eyebrows and a smile. Use white craft glue to attach cotton balls for the hat brim. Glue a pom-pom to the end of the hat.

All done. I hope you have fun and Merry Christmas!

Project created by Amanda Formaro for Kix Cereal. Amanda is a well-known craft expert and has been writing and crafting on the Internet for over fifteen years. Find out more on her blog, Crafts by Amanda, where she shares tutorials with step-by-step photos for adults and kids alike.