Paper Plate Zebra Craft (with Lacing)

I love a good zebra craft, and this one is even better because it is also a lacing craft. Lacing is a great way to work on hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills and bilateral coordination (working the hands together), which makes this the perfect zebra craft for preschoolers or really any kiddo who wants to make a super cute and simple animal craft.

And we have developed a basic zebra craft template to make this craft even easier to make with your little ones. Now, you can also make this without it if you do not have access to a printer. So, don’t go anywhere…keep reading.

Save this Zebra Craft for later. Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board…

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

• Paper plate (9-inch coated)
• Newspaper
• Pencil
• Medium pompom
• Clothespin
• Black paint
• Scissors
• Single hole punch
• Black sharpie marker
• Glue stick
• Black construction paper
• Scraps of white construction paper
• White yarn
• Tape
• Large googly eye (plus Elmer’s glue if not self-adhesive)
• Zebra craft template

This easy zebra craft takes just a few basic supplies, and they can all be found on the master list that we use for every single project here at inthebagkidscrafts.com. Using this list makes it so much easier for you to craft with your kids. Just think of all the prep time that you will save (not to mention closet space since everything fits into one bag). Seriously, you do not need the entire craft store to make completely adorable and fun crafts with your kids. Cut yourself some slack, and make simplify your life…at least in this one area. What do you have to lose? Fill your bag and craft along 🙂

Step 1: Cut Out the Zebra Craft

• To help with the craft, there is a template that you can print out. Go ahead and print it out now.
• Cut out the template and trace it onto the bottom paper plate. Be sure to mark where the holes are going to be made also. *If you do not have access to a printer, simple draw the zebra head free-hand.
• Now cut the pattern that you have drawn on your paper plate.
• Last, use your hole punch to go around the outside of your zebra craft. Pay careful attention to where you are not to punch holes, like on the bottom and where there is a gap for his eye, and of course, on the nose there will be no holes punched.

Step 2: Paint the Zebra

• First, lay out the newspaper so that we do not make a big mess.
• Then place your cut out zebra craft in the middle and squeeze out a little black paint onto the newspaper.
• Next, pinch your pompom with the clothespin to form a “paint brush”.
• Then paint all of the paper plate zebra, except leave his nose white.
• Set it aside for a minute to let the paint dry. This will not take long.

Step 3: Cut Out the Parts of Your Zebra Craft

• While you are waiting for the paint to dry, cut out the ears (also found on the template) of your zebra art and craft.
• Once your paint has dried, place the your zebra craft onto the black construction paper and trace around the section where his mane will be.
• Then cut out a strip along that line that is about 2″ wide.

Step 4: Add the Ears and Mane

• With the black sharpie marker, add some detail to the Zebra’s ears.
• Then, use the glue stick to attach the ears and mane to your easy zebra craft. Be sure not to cover the holes that you made for lacing.
• Finally, use your scissors to snip along the black zebra mane to make the hair.

• Let’s give our zebra craft some personality. Use the black sharpie marker to add a nostril and a smile.
• Then put the googly eye in place. If it is not self-adhesive, use a little Elmer’s glue. Be sure to place it where there is a gap in the holes on the top of the zebra. That way, when we add the stripes, they will not cover his eye.

Step 5: Give Your Zebra Craft Stripes

• The final touch is to give your easy zebra craft some stripes. To do this, cut a length of white yarn about a yard long.
• Place some tape on the end of the yarn to make it easier to feed through the holes.
• Lace the yarn through one of the first holes (starting at the nose works best) and leave a small piece on the back (which is actually the front of the plate…we are talking about the side that is not painted) that you will tape in place.
• Keep lacing the yarn back and forth through the holes. Mine are nice and neat, but you should let your kids just do the lacing however they want.
• When your piece of yarn comes to its end, secure it in the back with a piece of tape. Then get another piece of yarn and start where you left off until your zebra is covered with stripes.

As I was making these zebra crafts I just couldn’t stop smiling. He turned out so adorable! And I hope that this simple kids’ craft makes you smile too. As I always say, be sure to make it your own. Not all zebras have to be black and white, at least not in my imagination. If you want to make your zebra bright pink or rainbow colored or purple with orange polka dots, do it! This is your zebra arts and crafts, and you should make it however you want.

Happy Crafting!

XO Joy

Save this Zebra art and craft for later. Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board…