2-3 years15-25 minEasy

Paper Plate Faces

There's something magical about watching a plain paper plate transform into a silly face in your toddler's hands. This activity has been a family favorite in our house for years, and I still remember the first time my daughter held up her creation—a lopsided face with yarn hair sticking out at wild angles—and announced it was 'Daddy.' My husband laughed so hard he cried. That paper plate hung on our fridge for six months.

Age Safety Note

This activity works beautifully for children between 2 and 3 years old, though you'll want to stay close by. The materials are all non-toxic and safe, but toddlers at this age are still learning what goes in their mouths and what doesn't. Keep an eye on small yarn pieces—if your little one is still mouthing objects, consider using wider fabric strips instead. Glue sticks are much safer than liquid glue, and the large crayons designed for toddlers are perfect because they're too big to swallow and easier for small hands to grip.

Why This Activity Works

Toddlers are fascinated by faces. From the moment they're born, babies are drawn to the human face more than any other visual pattern. This activity taps into that natural interest. When your child draws two circles for eyes, they're not just scribbling—they're processing what they know about faces and expressing it in their own way. The fine motor skills involved in grasping crayons, peeling sticker backs, and placing yarn pieces are exactly what 2-3 year olds need to develop. Plus, there's no wrong way to make a face, which means your child experiences success no matter what the final result looks like.

Materials Needed

Paper plates
Standard white dinner plates work perfectly. The sturdy ones hold up better to enthusiastic decorating.
Large crayons
The chunky toddler crayons are easier to grip and less likely to break. Skip the thin ones—they frustrate little hands.
Yarn pieces
Pre-cut these into 4-6 inch pieces. You'll want about 10-15 pieces per plate for good hair coverage.
Child-safe glue stick
The purple ones that dry clear are perfect because kids can see where they've applied glue.

Prep Tips (Before You Start)

1Cut all yarn pieces before you call your toddler to the table. Once they're ready to create, they won't want to wait.
2Lay out a plastic tablecloth or old towel under the work area. Even 'mess-free' activities get messy with toddlers.
3Put out just 3-4 crayon colors at a time. Too many choices can overwhelm a 2-year-old.
4Have a damp washcloth nearby for sticky glue fingers—much easier than running to the sink every five minutes.
5Pull your child's chair close to the table so they can rest their arms comfortably while drawing.

Step-by-Step Guide

1Sit down together and look at the paper plate. Ask your toddler, 'Who should we make today?' Don't be surprised if they say a pet, a grandparent, or a character from their favorite show.
2Hand over the crayons and let your child draw the face. Resist the urge to guide their hand or 'fix' anything. A face with three eyes and a sideways nose is absolutely perfect.
3While they draw, talk about what you see: 'You're making big blue eyes! I see a pink mouth!' This builds language without criticizing.
4When they're ready for hair, show them how to twist the glue stick open and rub it along the top of the plate. Let them try it themselves, even if it's uneven.
5Offer the yarn pieces and let your child stick them wherever they want. Some might end up as eyebrows, a mustache, or a beard—that's the fun part!
6Once finished, hold the plate up and pretend to have a conversation with the 'face.' Ask your toddler what the face's name is. Take a photo!
7Find a special spot to display the artwork—the fridge, their bedroom door, or mailed to a grandparent who'd love a handmade portrait.

Fun Variations to Try

•Make animal faces instead of people—add paper triangles for cat ears or a cotton ball for a bunny nose.
•Create a 'feelings plate' where you make a happy face, sad face, or surprised face together and talk about emotions.
•Use paper plates as masks by cutting out eye holes (adult job) and attaching a popsicle stick handle.
•Make a family portrait series with one plate for each family member, including pets!

Cleanup Tips

Crayons wipe off tables and hands easily with a baby wipe or damp cloth.
Store unused yarn in a ziplock bag—you'll use it for dozens of future projects.
Leftover paper plates stack perfectly in a drawer or pantry for next time.
If glue dried on the table, a damp cloth left on it for a minute loosens it right up.

Real Parent Story

"What started as a rainy Tuesday activity turned into one of our most treasured traditions. Lily made a 'grandma face' during our first session, complete with curly gray yarn hair (she'd noticed grandma had curly hair, though it's actually blonde!). We video-called grandma immediately to show her the portrait. She laughed until she had tears in her eyes and asked us to mail it to her. Three months later, that paper plate face is still prominently displayed on grandma's fridge. Every time we visit, Lily runs to check that 'grandma's grandma' is still there. Now we make paper plate portraits for every family birthday—it's become our signature gift. The faces are wonderfully wonky, utterly unrecognizable, and absolutely priceless. I have a whole box of them saved in my closet because I can't bear to throw any away."

— Emma, mom of 2.5-year-old Lily

Bonus Tips From Parents

If your toddler loses interest quickly, that's okay! Even five minutes of creating is valuable.
Don't ask 'what is it?' Instead say 'tell me about your picture' to avoid making them feel judged.
Some kids want to make many plates in one sitting—go with their energy!
Keep one 'perfect' plate of yarn and crayons ready to go for impromptu crafting sessions.

References & Further Reading

General guidance we rely on when writing activities. These are broad resources rather than sources for this specific craft.

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