Easy Paper Plate Lion Craft for Kids No Template Required

Make a fun and easy Paper Plate Lion Craft with just a few supplies—no template needed! This roaringly cute kids’ activity is perfect for preschool, kindergarten, or zoo animal themes.

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There’s just something about turning a simple paper plate into a roaring lion that brings out all the smiles. This paper plate lion craft is the kind of hands-on fun kids actually get excited about, and it couldn’t be easier to pull together. It’s one of those easy animal crafts for kids that doesn’t require fancy supplies or a trip to the store. If you’ve got a few paper plates, some yarn or paper scraps, and a little glue, you’re ready to go.

Want more Lion Fun?

Check out these Lion Activities for Kids

Not a lot of time? Here’s what to do.
Sometimes there isn’t enough time to let the paint dry -literally! When you are short on time use a Yellow Paper Plate. Your kids can skip the painting, and still get creative.

We’ve done this lion craft for kids during lazy weekends, rainy afternoons, and even as part of a zoo theme craft for preschool. It fits perfectly with jungle animal craft lessons or storytime about lions and their wild adventures. What makes this craft extra special is how open-ended it is. You can go super simple with coloring and card strips or a yarn mane, or take it up a notch with tissue paper and googly eyes. Either way, it’s all about creativity, fine motor play, and letting kids bring their own wild imagination to life.

So if you’re planning a jungle week, prepping your zoo unit, or just need a fun afternoon activity that actually keeps their attention, this one’s a winner. The best part? Cleanup is easy, and the results are proudly display-worthy. Let’s walk through everything you need to make your own paper plate lion come to life.

Why Kids Love This Paper Plate Lion Craft

There’s something magical about crafts that let kids dive into their imaginations while keeping their hands busy. This paper plate lion craft does exactly that. 

• It encourages creativity in the best way possible, giving kids the freedom to choose their own colors, textures, and details. Whether they want a classic golden mane or a rainbow-colored one, it’s their lion and their rules.

• It fits right into so many learning themes, too. From jungle animal lessons to zoo week activities, this lion craft for kids blends perfectly into any preschool or homeschool plan. Teachers love using it during animal units, and parents enjoy how it sparks storytelling and pretend play.

• Best of all, it’s totally screen-free. No batteries, no loud noises, just glue, scissors, and fun. It keeps little hands moving and little minds exploring, which is exactly why it’s such a hit with kids of all ages.

Our Favorite Lion Resources for Kids

If you’re crafting a lion, why not turn it into a full learning experience? We love pairing this activity with the beautifully illustrated The Lion & the Mouse (a Caldecott Medal Winner). My kids enjoy reading it and reflecting on the important lesson about kindness and unlikely friendships. For curious little learners, Lions!: A My Incredible World Picture Book for Children is packed with fascinating lion facts and engaging photos that bring the king of the jungle to life. And to encourage imaginative play after crafting, the 6PCS Realistic Lion Figurines with Lion Cubs are a big hit—perfect for storytelling, pretend play, or even using as part of a mini jungle-themed sensory bin!

How to Make the Paper Plate Lion Craft – 3 Fun Variations

For your convenience, printable directions are available at the end of this post.

Here’s how to turn basic supplies into adorable lions your kids will love. These three easy versions are fun to mix and match depending on what you have on hand.

What You Need:

• 1 paper plate per lion
• Yellow paint
• Orange paint
• Scissors
• Glue
• Yellow and orange pom poms, wooden craft sticks, or paper strips
• Paintbrush
• Black marker or brown paint

Pom Pom Paper Plate Lion (Pom Pom Mane)

1. Paint the back of a paper plate in yellow or orange and let it dry.

2. Glue pom poms around the outer edge to create a fluffy lion mane.

3. Use a black marker or brown paint to draw eyes, nose, and mouth.

Simple Paper Plate Lion

1. Paint the inner circle of the paper plate yellow. Let dry.

2. For the mane, paint the edge orange. Let dry.

3. Use a black marker or brown paint to draw eyes, nose, and mouth.

Craft Stick or Paper Mane Lion

1. Paint the paper plate yellow and let it dry.

2. Glue colored wooden craft sticks or thick card strips around the edge for a bold mane.

3. Use a black marker or brown paint to draw eyes, nose, and mouth.

Educational Ideas & Theme Extensions

This paper plate lion craft isn’t just fun, it’s a great way to sneak learning into playtime.

• Pair it with a lion-themed storybook, such as The Lion Inside or How to Be a Lion, to create a themed reading activity. Kids can create their lions before or after the story and even act out parts with their finished crafts.

• It also works perfectly in a zoo-themed lesson or animal unit. During circle time, use the lions for show-and-tell, sorting games, or pretend jungle adventures. It’s an easy way to bring a hands-on element to early learning topics like habitats, animal sounds, or the letter L.

• You can also add a few fun lion facts or a simple rhyming poem to tie in some literacy. Even something short like “The lion’s mane is bold and wide, he rules the jungle with kingly pride” gets kids engaged and adds a layer of language development without making it feel like schoolwork.

Print the Directions