Paper Plate Snake Craft {that RATTLES!}
This is not your typical paper plate snake craft where we just cut a spiral and color it. Nope! Our snake craft actually rattles, like a rattle snake. You now those paper plate musical instruments that we all made as a kid? Well, this is the upgraded version. We are using paint to decorate our snake, but you can skip that messiness if you like and just use crayons or makers to add the details. I totally get it, especially if you are working with a group of kids or preschoolers.
But whatever, you do, be sure to encourage imagination, creativity and out the box thinking. No 2 snakes should look alike. I mean, they certainly don’t in nature. Ours is more traditional rattle snake colors, but there are no rules saying that your snake craft can’t be rainbow colored with a mohawk…are there? Just have fun with it!
Save your Snake Paper Craft for later. Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board…
All activities require adult supervision. By using this site, you are agreeing to our terms of use. This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
SUPPLIES FROM THE BAG
- 2 Paper plates (9-inch coated)
- Newspaper
- Paint (colors of your choice)
- Large pompom
- Clothespin
- Q-tips
- Construction paper (same color as paint)
- Stapler with staples
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Markers
- Pony beads
- Snake craft template
You might have noticed that we are always using the same craft supplies to make our creations…And that is ON PURPOSE. Actually, we use the same 27 craft supplies. It is our master list that we follow for every single project here on the site and in our kids’ craft ebooks and collections. By doing this, we break down some of the barriers to crafting with your kids…like “I don’t have what I need” or “I don’t have the time” or “I’m just not that creative”. All you need to do is fill your bag using our master list, and you now have hundreds of crafts at your fingertips ready to go at any moment.
Paper Plate Snake Craft Instructions
Step 1: Paint the Paper Plate
- Place some newspaper on your work surface to control the mess.
- Pinch the pom pom with the clothespin to form a “paint brush” and squeeze out a little bit of paint.
- Place the paper plate on your newspaper with the bottom facing up.
- Now paint your plate.
- If you want your snake to be colored on both sides, paint the bottom of 2 plates.
- Set it aside to dry while you move on to step 2
Step 2: Use the Snake Craft Template
- Print out the snake craft template
- Use it to cut out the parts of your paper plate snake craft as pictured. Of course, we are matching our paper to our paint color that we chose, and you should do the same.
Step 3: Draw the Coil
- Now that your paint has dried, draw a spiral on the plate. This is the body of your snake and can be used a guide for where to place the rest of his markings.
Step 4: Paint on Some Details for your Snake Craft
- Place the paper plate and the cut out pieces onto your newspaper again.
- Squeeze out paint colors of your choice.
- Use the q-tips to add designs to your snake. Remember, every snake is different. If you want some ideas, check out these images as a reference for real rattle snakes in the wild.
- Again, let the paint dry before you move on to the next step.
Step 5: Put the Tail Together
- Draw some lines on the “rattle” of your snake.
- Then use the glue stick to attach it to the end of his tail.
Step 6: Give Him a Smile
- Add a few more details to the head of your snake, like eyes, a mouth and even a slithering tongue if you want.
Step 7: Start Putting It Together
- Now it’s time to put the paper plate snake craft together.
- Sandwich the head of the snake between the 2 paper plates and secure it with a couple of staples.
- Do the same with the tail of your snake.
- Then put staples around the top of the sandwiched together plates, about an inch or so apart.
- DO NOT staple the bottom of the plates just yet. Now move on to the next step.
Step 8: Add the Rattle to Your Rattle Snake Craft
- Take a small hand full of pony beads and put them into the opening you left at the bottom of the plates.
- You do not need a lot of beads for this, just enough to make your snake craft rattle.
- Now staple around the rest of the sandwiched together paper plates so that the beads cannot slip out.
- Your paper plate snake craft is complete!!!
Now that you know how to make a snake craft, what’s next? Maybe you can create an entire collection of snake themed musical instruments and have them play in a band together. Or maybe you are going to use it to startle your little brother or sister. Whatever you do…enjoy it for awhile. Don’t just make it and forget about it. Really have fun with it!!!
You might also like these Paper Plate Animal Crafts:
Save this Snake Craft for later. Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board…
