Cow Paper Plate Craft for Kids

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This paper plate cow craft is a favorite for farm week around here. Black spots, pink-and-white ears and a big pink nose turn a plain plate into the friendliest cow on the farm.

It’s great scissor practice, and gluing on the spots doubles as a little counting game.

Ages 3 to 6
Time About 30 minutes
Mess level Low: paint and glue
Builds Fine motor and following directions

What You Need for This Paper Plate Cow Craft

Cow Paper Plate Craft (visual directions + template)

Get the printable

Sturdy white paper plate

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Black, pink and white construction paper

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Kid scissors

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Glue stick

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Googly eyes

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String or tape for hanging

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Supplies for a cow paper plate craft, including black, pink, and white construction paper, googly eyes, safety scissors, a glue stick, and a white paper plate, all laid out on a white background.

How to Make a Paper Plate Cow

Cut out the spots

Trace the spots from the template onto black paper and cut them out.

Black cow spots cut from construction paper next to blue safety scissors, ready to be used for a cow paper plate craft.

Glue on the spots

Spread the spots across the plate and press them down. Count them as you go.

White paper plate with black construction paper cow spots glued on, next to an orange Elmer’s glue stick, part of a cow paper plate craft in progress.

Make the ears

Cut the ear shapes from white and pink paper, then glue a pink piece on each white ear.

Pink and white paper cow ears cut from construction paper, placed on a black background, next to blue safety scissors for a cow paper plate craft project.
Two pink and white cow ears assembled from construction paper, placed on a black background next to an orange Elmer’s glue stick, part of a cow paper plate craft project.

Attach the ears

Glue the ears to the back of the plate so they stick out from the top. High and perky or low and floppy is up to your kid.

Cow paper plate craft in progress with black paper spots and pink-and-white paper ears glued onto a white paper plate, next to an orange Elmer’s glue stick.

Add the nose

Cut the nose from pink paper and glue it on the lower half of the plate.

Pink construction paper cow nose cutout placed next to blue safety scissors, part of a cow paper plate craft project in progress.
Cow paper plate craft with black spots, pink-and-white ears, and a pink nose glued onto a white paper plate, next to an orange Elmer’s glue stick.

Add the eyes

Glue googly eyes above the nose. No googly eyes? Draw them on with a marker.

Cow paper plate craft with black spots, pink-and-white ears, a pink nose, and googly eyes, next to an orange Elmer’s glue stick.

Finish the face

Cut two small black nostrils and a smile, and glue them on the nose. Big grin, tiny smirk or a surprised “moo” all work.

Two black paper circles for cow nostrils and a black paper smile, ready to be added to a cow paper plate craft.
Finished cow paper plate craft with black spots, pink-and-white ears, pink nose with black nostrils, googly eyes, and a black paper smile, next to an orange Elmer’s glue stick.
Completed cow paper plate craft with black spots, pink-and-white ears, pink nose with black nostrils, googly eyes, and a black paper smile, displayed on a white background.

Ways to Use It

  • Hang it on the fridge or classroom wall
  • Make a whole herd for a farm bulletin board
  • Use it as a mask or puppet for farm pretend play
  • Pair it with Old MacDonald or a favorite farm book

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Paper Plate Cow Craft for Preschool, Pre-K and Kindergarten

Preschool

Paint, glue and decorate. You handle the tricky cutting, and kids point to each picture step as they go.

Pre-K

Trace the template and cut the straight lines. Follow the visual steps in order.

Kindergarten and up

Cut out every piece, add their own details, and retell the steps in order.

Get the Printable Visual Directions

Doing this with a group? The printable has picture steps for every part of the cow, plus a template you can trace.

What’s included

  • A picture supply list
  • Visual step-by-step directions
  • Photo step cards
  • A printable template
  • Instant PDF download, nothing is shipped

Perfect for

  • Preschool and kindergarten classrooms
  • Special education and speech therapy
  • Following directions practice
  • Thematic units
  • Homeschool art time

Paper Plate Cow Craft FAQ

How do I keep this cow craft simple for toddlers?

Precut all the pieces and let toddlers do the gluing. They’ll still get great fine motor practice placing the spots and eyes.

What age is this paper plate cow craft for?

Ages 3 to 6. Preschoolers paint and glue with a little help, and kindergartners can trace and cut the pieces themselves.

Can I make it without paint?

Yes. Crayons, markers or torn construction paper work too and are less messy.

Do I need the template?

You can freehand the pieces, but the template and picture steps help kids work on their own and make it easy to do with a class.

More Crafts with Visual Directions

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From families like yours

Did you try it? Tell us how it went!

We love seeing these activities out in the wild: the lumpy letters, the snack breaks, the proud “I made a B!” moments. Leave a star rating, tell other parents what worked (and what totally didn’t), and add a photo of your setup if you’d like.

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Stephanie Oswald, early childhood intervention specialist and creator of Parenting Chaos

Hi, I’m Stephanie!

I’m an early childhood intervention specialist and the mom behind Parenting Chaos. I share simple, hands-on activities that help little ones learn through play. Coffee addict, nature junkie and kid at heart.

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