Digger Craft for Kids
This digger craft is so fun to put together, but the best part is the hours of creative play that it can lead to. Since the arms of the excavator actually move, your kiddo can pretend to be picking things up and putting them down. Move around legos or little stones or whatever. It pairs great with this dump truck craft that we also made using a paper plate. I think we need to make a bulldozer next to go with these construction vehicle crafts. Stay tuned!
Save this Construction Craft for later. Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board…
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SUPPLIES FROM THE BAG
- Paper plate (9-inch coated)
- Construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Paint (yellow and black)
- Newspaper
- Pompom
- Clothespin
- Single hole punch
- Metal brads (aka paper fasterners)
- Markers
- Digger craft template
Have you filled your kids’ craft bag using our master list yet? It will save you so much time! And make crafting with your kids something that happens way more often because you will be prepared…no running to the store to get just the right thing for that craft that you’ll actually never get around to making. It’s doesn’t need to be so complicated. Crafting with your kids is supposed to be fun! (not just one more thing on the “to do” list) So…fill your bag and craft along!
How to Make a Digger Craft
Step 1: Cut Up the Paper Plate
- Let’s slice up a paper plate to make all of the parts for our digger craft. Just follow the diagram below to know where to cut.
- It’s easiest if you start with cutting the plate in half vertically and then cutting the right side into 3 equal strips. Then go from there.
- For the left side of the plate, cut about an inch off the top. Then cut about 2 inches off the bottom. This will leave a larger section in the center which will you will cut a small rectangle from to create the cab (or body) of the digger.
- That just leaves the section at the bottom of that side of the plate to trim an inch or so off to form the bucket of your excavator.
*This part of the activity will need to be completed by an adult for little ones, but they will love participating in the steps coming up.
Step 2: Give It Some Color
- Lay out some newspaper on your crafting surface.
- Pinch a pompom with a clothespin to form a “paint brush”.
- Lay the pieces of your digger out on the newspaper, bottom side up (matte side up).
- Now paint the pieces whatever color you choose. We used yellow for the body and arms of the digger and then went back and added black to the bucket. (pictured yellow here but made black later for a better effect.)
*If you really do not want to get the paint out, just use crayons or markers instead to color the parts of your construction craft. We get it, sometimes painting is not an option. And that’s just fine. Your child will still LOVE making this craft and be proud of the finished product.
Step 3: Use the Digger Craft Template
- While the paint is drying, cut out the parts for your digger craft, including the rolling “wheels”. We used black construction paper for the outside and gray for the inside.
- Then cut out a window for your construction vehicle craft.
- There is a template that you can use for this step if you would like. Just download, print and use it to cut out the parts.
- Once the paint has dried, glue the pieces in place.
- Use your marker to add any details.
Step 4: Put It Together
- Use your hole punch to add holes to each end of the arms of the digger, one to the bucket and one to the base of the front of the cab of the excavator.
- Connect the pieces as pictured using metal brads.
- To secure each one, separate the back and press the sides of the brad down.
Now that you know how to make a digger craft, it’s time to really make it your own. We used yellow for ours, but you should choose whatever colors you like. And add lots of details too. Maybe an emblem for your very own construction company on the side of the digger or whatever! The only limit is your imagination.