Paper Plate Farm Animals (Easy Baby Farm Animal Crafts for Toddlers)

Looking for an easy, low-prep farm activity? These paper plate farm animals are simple enough for toddlers, but still cute enough to keep, especially if you're doing a farm theme week, letter "F," or a springtime animals unit. You can make just one (quick win) or set up all four as a little craft station.

If you enjoy easy crafts for kids, you might also like my Animal Crafts for Toddlers and this Sea Lion Craft.

Jump to:

• What Makes These Paper Plate Farm Animals Toddler-Friendly
• Supplies for Paper Plate Farm Animals
• Before You Start (Makes Everything Easier)
• How to Make Paper Plate Farm Animals
• Farm Animal Crafts
• Tips for Crafting with Toddlers
• FAQs

What Makes These Paper Plate Farm Animals Toddler-Friendly

• Short steps, big payoff: Each animal has a clear "done" moment that kids can see.
• Built-in fine motor practice: Dabbing paint, placing cotton balls, and sticking on shapes.
• Flexible for real life: You can pre-cut shapes, swap materials, and skip paint if needed.

Whether you're crafting at home, in a classroom, or just looking for an easy afternoon activity, these sweet paper plate animals are sure to bring big smiles. If you like this activity, be sure to check out Painting Activities for Toddlers.

Supplies for Paper Plate Farm Animals

Each baby farm animal craft starts with a paper plate and just a few extra supplies. Some materials are used for multiple animals, while others are unique - so here's a list to help you get everything you need.

Lamb: paper plate, cotton balls, black circle (face), black rectangles (legs), googly eyes
Chick: paper plate, yellow paint (or paper), yellow circle, orange triangles (beak + feet), googly eyes
Cow: paper plate, black paint, black circle (face), pink circle (nose), pink triangles (ears), black rectangles (legs), cotton balls (optional texture), googly eyes, clothespin (optional)
Pig: paper plate, pink paint, pink circle (face), dark pink triangles (ears), dark pink circle (nose), pink rectangles (legs), googly eyes

Before You Start (Makes Everything Easier)

• Pre-cut the shapes (faces, legs, ears) if you're crafting with ages 2-4. Toddlers do best when they can focus on placing and gluing.
• Drying shortcut: Paint is "toddler dry" when it feels cool but doesn't look shiny. If it's still glossy, it'll smear.
• Glue that actually holds: Cotton balls and paper pieces stick best with a generous glue "puddle" (on a spare plate) rather than a thin swipe from the bottle.
• Googly eyes tip: If eyes pop off later, use a dot of tacky glue or glue stick + a tiny dab of liquid glue.

How to Make Paper Plate Farm Animals

Paper Plate Baby Lamb

1. Glue cotton balls all over the plate. Toddler tip: pour glue onto a second plate so kids can dip and stick.

2. Glue the black circle in the center for the face.
3. Attach the rectangles to the back as legs.
4. Add googly eyes.
5. If cotton balls slide around: use a thicker layer of glue (or tacky glue) and press each cotton ball for a second or two.

Paper Plate Baby Chick

1. Paint the paper plate yellow and let it dry completely.

2. Glue the yellow paper circle in the center for the body.
3. Glue one orange triangle for the beak.
4. Glue two orange triangles to the back/bottom for feet.
5. Add googly eyes.

Optional texture: a few feathers glued on while the paint is dry (not wet) look especially cute.

Paper Plate Baby Cow

1. Clip a cotton ball into a clothespin, dip into black paint, and dab spots onto the plate. Let dry.

2. Glue the black circle in the center for the face.
3. Add the pink circle nose and pink triangle ears.
4. Glue on googly eyes.
5. Attach the black rectangles to the back for legs.
6. Optional: add clothespins for a fun 3D effect.
7. Less mess option: use a black marker or dot stickers instead of paint for the spots.

Paper Plate Baby Pig

1. Finger paint the paper plate pink and let it dry fully.

2. Glue the pink circle in the center for the face.
3. Add the dark pink triangle ears and dark pink circle nose.
4. Stick on googly eyes.
5. Attach the pink rectangles to the back for legs.

If paint takes forever to dry: do the face on a separate pink circle first, then glue it on once the plate is dry.

Farm Animal Crafts

Farm animal crafts are a fun way for young kids to do a hands on activity while learning about animals they love. These simple projects are perfect for little hands. They're especially great for spring or just a rainy day activity at home!

• Peek-A-Boo Farm Animals Activity
• Cow Craft For Kids
• Animal Crafts for Toddlers
• Handprint Chick

Tips for Crafting with Toddlers

• Set up "one animal at a time." Too many pieces on the table = instant chaos.
• Use a tray or cookie sheet under the craft to keep cotton balls and shapes contained.
• Give toddlers fewer choices: "Do you want the pig or the chick first?" works better than "Which animal do you want to make?" with four options.
• Let it be imperfect: toddlers' "wrong place" eyes are usually the funniest part.

FAQs

Note from Vicky: This craft originally appeared as a guest post by Nicola from Multicraftingmummy. While that site is no longer online, I'm glad we can still share her creative idea here.

Making these paper plate baby farm animals is a fun way to spend time together. Try one today, or turn it into a full farm craft afternoon.