Boys and girls alike will love making this fun UFO from paper plates and craft jewels. This is a great project to chase away the cabin fever that comes with freezing winter temperatures!
If you can remember, come July 2nd it will be UFO Day! So tuck this project away and save it for that special day too.
And in case you’re wondering, yes! It flies! So have fun, make a flying saucer and have a great crafting afternoon with the kids.
[full printable instructions below] First you’ll paint two paper plates silver. While they are drying make your filler by twisting up some newspaper. This will keep your paper plates from collapsing when you glue them together. You’ll paint the foam cup too.
After you’ve put the UFO together, attach the jewels. I used hot glue. If you choose to use hot glue, it’s best if a grown up does that. Glue dots will work too!
If you like, hang this flying saucer from the ceiling! Use a toothpick to poke a hole in the top of the cup before gluing it to the top of the saucer. Thread string through the hole, knot from the inside and glue it. Skip the step of adding the round craft jewel to the top.
Paper Plate Flying Saucer
Supplies
- 2 paper plates
- 1 Styrofoam coffee cup
- Silver acrylic paint
- Craft jewels
- Instant grab glue hot glue gun or glue dots
- Newspaper
- String optional for hanging
Instructions
- Paint the backside of both paper plates and the Styrofoam cup silver.
- Turn paper plates over. Twist newspaper and glue it inside one of the plates. This will give the plates some cushion and filler, keeping them from collapsing.
- Glue the plates together, silver sides facing out.
- Cut the Styrofoam cup in half, keeping the top half, discarding the excess. Glue small craft jewels around the cup and glue the cup to the top of the saucer. Glue a large craft jewel to the top of the cup.
- Glue craft jewels around the outside of the saucer, leaving about an inch of space between each one.
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Tess says
Have you tried making this flying saucer frisbee with liquid school glue or glue stick rather than hot glue? I want to use it as a group project with about 15 kids.
Amanda Formaro says
I’m sure that would work, you will just have a longer drying time.
Eddie says
What’s the best type of paint to use for this?
Amanda Formaro says
I prefer acrylic craft paint like Americana. But there are a variety of acrylic craft paints available at craft stores. Michaels carries a btand called Craft Smart which is inexpensive and great for projects like this.
viveka says
thanks for this craft idea it is really amazing thanks a lot……..
yahira nunez morales says
your flying saucers are amazing! i wish i was like you! i would by one of your flying saucers but my parents don’t let me:( my sister has one of your flying saucers. i cant stop using it at home. my friends are sooooooo jealous!they are sooooo cool! your amazing! bye!
Carrie says
You do great work I really do need all the help I can get.
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks Carrie, so nice of you to say!
Casse-bonbec says
Ah ah, I love it, and I’m sure my kids will love it too !
Jayshree says
Hi Amanda,
Love your flying saucer idea.Could you suggest any other stuffing other than newspaper as we need it for a school project with 88 kids.
Thanks
Jay
Amanda says
You could use any type of paper, craft paper, writing paper, copy paper, or even toilet paper, paper towel or fiberfil stuffing. Anything really, it’s just to keep the plates from collapsing, so use whatever you have on hand! :)
Fran says
Amanda I just love your crafts, you have so much imagination! Thanks for sharing.