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!)
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
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.
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?
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 this 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.
You can find a ton of easy crafts for kids on this blog, plenty to keep them busy and happy for weeks!
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.
My original photo from 2011
Paper Plate Black Cat
Supplies
- 1 paper plate
- Black paint
- Paintbrush
- Tape
- White craft glue
- 2 large green wiggle eyes
- 1 small pink pom-pom
- pattern
Craft tools
Instructions
- Paint the backside of the paper plate black and let dry.
- Turn the plate over to the unpainted side. 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.
- Glue on wiggle eyes and pink pom-pom for the nose.
- From the scraps of black plate, cut 6 thin whiskers of equal length and glue to the cat’s face.
Video
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.
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Lucie Wilkins says
So cute, I’m going to try this with my son this weekend!
Katharine Childs says
The pattern was somehow oversized and couldn’t print, but looking at the photos I had no problem making my own.
kural says
it’s looks great…
Elise says
I know this is simple, but it looks sooo good. Great craft.
Eden P. Bheem Singapore says
Thank you so much for the wonderful craft you design for children. We love it . Happy Halloween” “MEOW
Amanda Formaro says
Happy Halloween to you too Eden!
Kirstyn says
Fab! And so simple! Thankyou for sharing your crafts x
Amanda Formaro says
Thank you Kirstyn!
khitam says
it is so cute,thanks a lot, i will do it for my kids this Halloween. it is good and new idea!
Amber says
I can’t seem to find the pattern can you email it to me?
Amanda says
Hi Amber. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. The pattern link has been corrected, you should be able to access it now :) https://craftsbyamanda.com/2011/10/paper-plate-black-cat.html
Carole says
Very cute. :-)
Sadly, black cats are overlooked in real life too.
Dana says
too cute
Ruthann says
Thanks for this adorable craft!!! I found it on Thursday, painted the plates w my preschool class on Friday, and sent home these cute kitties today for Halloween. They were a big hit! All the other teachers were oohing and aahing over them. So fun! Thanks!!
Amanda Formaro says
How fun! So glad you guys had a great time! :)
mary t says
Hi,
the pattern comes out too big for me to print.what am I doing wrong?
thanks,
Mary
Amanda Formaro says
When I click it and choose to print it works out the right size for me. Look for an option on your printer window that says something like “fit to page”
Amy at The Red Chair Blog says
This is darling! I plan to make one with my daughter!
Kerstie says
So, purrrrfect.
maggy, red ted art says
Adorable and VERY Clever!!!
Thank you for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!
Maggy
Surayya says
Super Awesome! Marking your site for future :)
BlissfulSewing
shel says
i’m loving this craft!!
Marybeth says
love it!!!
charisa says
This is so clever! My kids will love it!
BlueCat says
Great and easy to do for children. Thank you for the idea.
pam says
Very cute Amanda! I love that it is made using the simplest things around the house and yet turned out looking so awesome!
dacraftylady says
I love the cat and then I saw you also have an owl and crow. How clever, I just used a green paper plate to make gills fo rmy sea monster costume… :) I will have to post the how tos on my website… thanks for sharing. Debb
Amazing Grace says
LOL! Love it! It is so cute! :)