Little Red Hen Paper Plate Craft for Kids ⋆ Parenting Chaos

This Little Red Hen paper plate craft is the perfect way to bring the story of the little red hen to life.

Bright and playful Little Red Hen paper plate craft featuring an orange-painted plate with a red comb, yellow beak, red wattle, googly eye, and brown wing, surrounded by colorful paper mushrooms and trees on a white background.

Everybody knows the Little Red Hen story, she’s not just some cute little chicken, she’s the queen of getting things done. Her story isn’t just about harvesting wheat and baking bread; it’s about teamwork, patience, and learning that when you pitch in, you get to enjoy the rewards.

But honestly? Reading the story is only half the fun. The real magic happens when you and your kiddo bring that clever, hard-working hen to life, with flappy little wings, stompy feet, and a big, bright orange beak.

If you’ve ever seen your child light up at story time, you know how special that moment is. And story-based crafts? They make that magic even bigger. Plus, they sneak in practice with literacy skills and comprehension as kids retell favorite childhood stories through art!

Ready? Let’s grab the paint and jump in!

Looking for more fun, easy crafts? We’ve got a stash of paper plate projects for you!

Craft Supplies for This Little Red Hen Craft

Alright, let’s get set up! Preschoolers are big on curiosity but… not so big on waiting, so having everything ready to go is a total win. Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand before you dive into your Little Red Hen paper plate craft:

One paper plate
Scissors (kid-safe for little hands, plus a grown-up pair just in case)
Glue stick or school glue (and maybe some wipes nearby for those inevitable sticky fingers)
Orange or red + yellow paint (go washable, trust me)
Paintbrush
Googly eyes (the bigger, the sillier!)
Construction paper or cardstock (red for the crest, yellow or orange for the beak, and black for the feet)
Printable visual instructions with template (print this ahead of time so you’re not scrambling mid-craft)

Colorful craft supplies for a Little Red Hen paper plate craft, including red, yellow, and black construction paper, a googly eye, child-safe scissors with a floral pattern, an orange glue stick, and a white paper plate, all arranged on a white background.

Tips for Getting Organized with Preschoolers

Lay everything out on a tray or old cookie sheet so it’s easy to grab (and easy to clean up after).
Pour paint into a paper cup or plate, no one wants a giant bottle knocked over mid-project.
Go ahead and pre-cut the template or smaller pieces if your kiddo gets frustrated with scissors. It keeps things moving and keeps the mood happy.
Got more than one kid? Set up a little “supply station” and let them take turns grabbing what they need.

Oh, and maybe keep the googly eyes off to the side until it’s time to glue, trust me, they’ll go straight for those and you’ll find them stuck to everything but the craft!

Step-by-Step Tutorial: Little Red Hen Paper Plate Craft

Let’s break it down so you can jump right in and enjoy the fun, no overthinking, just a friendly craft that brings one of your favorite childhood stories to life!

Gather Your Supplies
Lay everything out ahead of time so you’re not hunting for scissors mid-project. Print out the visual craft instructions with task cards and template. Cover your table if you’re worried about paint splatters.

Paint the Paper Plate Orange
Give the plate a good coat of orange paint. Don’t stress about neatness, painting is a wonderful way for kiddos to build fine motor skills while having fun! Let it dry flat before moving on.

Orange-painted paper plate with a faint pencil line drawn to mark where to cut for the wing, shown next to a tube of orange acrylic paint on a white background for a Little Red Hen paper plate craft.

Cut a Wing
Snip a line from the top of the plate down a few inches, then fold that piece down to make a little wing.

Orange-painted paper plate with a cut made along a marked pencil line and the folded section turned down to create a wing, shown next to a pair of blue child-safe scissors on a white background for a Little Red Hen paper plate craft.

Cut Out the Crest and Beard
Use the printables (or freehand your own versions) to cut out the red crest (the top part) and the red wattle (the little dangly part under the beak).

Red construction paper pieces cut into the Little Red Hen’s crest and beard shapes, placed next to a pair of blue child-safe scissors on a white background for a Little Red Hen paper plate craft.

Glue on the Crest and Beard
Spread on some glue and stick those pieces onto the plate, opposite side of the wing.

Orange-painted paper plate with red construction paper crest and beard glued in place, folded wing on the side, and an orange glue stick placed next to it, shown on a white background for a Little Red Hen paper plate craft.

Cut and Add the Feet and Beak
Cut out two small feet and a triangle beak, then glue them in place.

Small yellow triangle beak and two black cutout chicken feet made from construction paper, placed next to a pair of blue child-safe scissors on a white background for a Little Red Hen paper plate craft.

Nearly finished Little Red Hen paper plate craft with red crest and beard, yellow triangle beak, black paper feet, and folded wing, shown next to an orange glue stick on a white background.

Googly Eye Time
Add a big googly eye above the beak for extra charm.

Completed Little Red Hen paper plate craft featuring an orange-painted plate, red crest and beard, yellow beak, googly eye, black paper feet, and folded wing, shown next to an orange glue stick on a white background.

Show It Off
Find the perfect spot, fridge, bulletin board, or wall, and proudly display your Little Red Hen craft.

Finished Little Red Hen paper plate craft featuring an orange-painted plate, red paper crest and beard, yellow beak, googly eye, black paper feet, and folded wing, displayed on a white background.

Want The Visual Directions for Your Next Classroom Craft?

Grab the printable visual directions for this fun Little Red Hen paper plate craft, available now in our shop for instant download! 👇

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