I created this paper plate black cat kid’s craft because as far as Halloween characters go, I think the black cat is commonly overlooked. You see tons of mummies, witches, and monster crafts, but not very many black cat crafts (besides these easy black cat pumpkins!)

little boy holding black cat made from paper plate

Why this project works

Paper plates are a popular craft item! And cats are a favorite pet. Putting the two together means you’re in for a great afternoon project.
This craft is easy, making it ideal for most ages. If you would like to include little ones, paint the plates yourself ahead of time.

Fun Book and Story Pairings!

While this craft was created with Halloween in mind, you could easily change the color to make it match your own pet cat or to incorporate this project into a specific story. For example, you might paint your paper plate cat gray and white and add stripes to go along with the story Socks by Beverly Cleary.
If you stick with the black paint but don’t want it centered around Halloween, this book by James Dean called Pete the Cat: Five Little Ducks would be a fun story to read.
Another story option is Shoo by Hana Goldberg. All that you would need to do is add some brown construction paper circles to the white paper plate cat to match the kitty on the book.

Helpful Project Information:

Age Level: 4 and up
Mess Factor: Medium (paint and glue)
Level of Difficulty: Easy-Medium (cutting)
Time to Complete: less than 15 minutes
Cost Estimate: Less than $1.00 each

Craft supplies you will need

labeled supplies for paper plate black cat — Get full list of supplies and directions in the printable version at the end of this post.

How to Make a Paper Plate Black Cat

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this project. Please scroll down to simply print out the instructions!

Be sure kids are wearing smocks and you’ve covered the table with newspapers or a plastic tablecloth to protect your surface.

Use a paintbrush to paint the backside of the paper plate with black acrylic craft paint and let dry.

Print out the pattern.
Turn the plate over to the unpainted side. Use scissors to cut out the body using the pattern. Cut out the tail and head from the remaining plate. Set scraps aside.

Use tape to attach the tail and the head to the back of the plate, using the photo as a guide.

Use white craft glue to attach large green wiggle eyes and small pink pom-pom for the nose.

From the scraps of the black plate, cut 6 thin whiskers of equal length and glue to the cat’s face.

close up of paper plate black cat's face

Expert Tips & FAQs

Colored wiggle eyes are available at your local craft supply store. You can also buy colored eyes online.
A plastic tablecloth will protect your table from spilled paint. Can be rinsed off in the bathtub and used again and again.
Baby wipes are perfect for wiping paint off of big and little hands!
A coffee cup is great for water to rinse brushes in. It’s safer than a glass cup and sturdier than plastic as it won’t spill as easily.

I shared this cute, not-scary paper plate black cat a decade ago and it’s still popular! Thank you to everyone who has sent me their photos. Did you make this craft?

little boy smiling behind paper plate black cat craft

Related: I also made this tabby cat craft from a cardboard tube, and then there’s this super easy kitty tote bag that would be great for collecting Halloween candy!

More Halloween crafts

Paper Plate Ghost – perfect for preschoolers and elementary-aged kids, complete with a printable pattern and pieces the kids can easily cut out.
Handprint Halloween Puppets – these are so fun and very popular at Halloween!
Cereal Box Monsters – save a couple of your empty cereal boxes to make these positively darling monsters to display this year.
Jack O’Lantern Felt Board – while parents will have to help create this felt board, preschoolers will have a blast making all sorts of different Jack-O-Lantern faces.
5 Minute Paper Halloween Luminaries– this super easy craft looks adorable by day and spooky by night. AND it only takes 5 minutes to create! Kids and adults alike will enjoy this craft.

Check out all of my paper plate crafts!

This craft was originally published here on October 20, 2011 and has since been updated with new photos.

How to make a paper plate black cat for Halloween — My original photo from 2011

paper plate black cat on white background

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