Looking for a cute and easy paper plate owl craft to make with your kids this fall? This adorable fall owl craft is a fun way to celebrate the season while helping little learners practice coloring, cutting, and gluing!
I created this paper plate owl craft template with two different belly designs so kids can choose how they want their owls to look. They can make a simple owl with a patterned belly or create a colorful owl with overlapping paper feathers!
This craft is perfect for preschoolers, kindergarten students, homeschool activities, classroom art projects, and fall-themed learning centers.
Best of all, you only need a few basic craft supplies and my free printable owl template to get started!
You can grab your FREE paper plate owl craft template near the end of this post!
Why You’ll Love This Easy Paper Plate Owl Craft
I love creating crafts that are simple enough for younger children to enjoy but still give them opportunities to be creative.
This fall owl craft is one of those projects!
Using a paper plate for the owl’s body makes the craft easy to assemble, and the printable templates help take the guesswork out of preparing the pieces.
Here are a few reasons I think you’ll love this craft:
- Easy to prepare: Most of the supplies are probably already in your craft collection.
- Two belly designs: Kids can choose between a simple patterned belly and individual colorful feathers.
- Builds fine motor skills: Coloring, cutting, and gluing help children strengthen their hand muscles and coordination.
- Encourages creativity: Children can experiment with different colors and feather patterns.
- Perfect for fall: The warm brown, orange, and yellow colors make these owls adorable autumn decorations.
- Great for different ages: Younger children can use precut pieces, while older children can assemble their owls independently.
Another thing I love about this craft is that no two owls have to look exactly alike. Kids can create traditional brown owls or experiment with their favorite colors!
Supplies Needed for Your Paper Plate Owl Craft
Before getting started, gather the following supplies:
- 9-inch paper plate
- Free printable owl craft template
- White cardstock or printer paper
- Brown paint
- Paintbrush
- Crayons or markers
- Scissors
- Glue stick
I recommend printing the owl craft template on white cardstock if you have it available. The thicker paper makes the pieces sturdier and a little easier for children to handle.
Regular printer paper will work just fine, too!
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How to Make a Paper Plate Owl Craft Step by Step
This easy paper plate owl craft comes together in just a few steps. I’ve included two different belly options so you can choose the one that works best for your children or students.
Step 1: Print Your Free Owl Craft Template
Start by printing the free owl craft templates onto white cardstock or regular printer paper.
The printable includes the owl’s eyes, ears, beak, wings, feet, and two different belly designs.
You’ll also find both colored and black-and-white versions, making it easy to choose the option that works best for your activity.
If you’re planning this craft for a classroom, I recommend printing the templates ahead of time so everything is ready when the children begin.
Step 2: Paint the Paper Plate Brown
Using a paintbrush, cover a 9-inch paper plate with brown paint.
Set the plate aside and allow it to dry completely before attaching the owl pieces.
You can also let children experiment with different shades of brown to make their owls unique.
Tip: If you’re short on time, you can prepare the painted paper plates ahead of the activity. This is especially helpful when working with a larger group of children.
Step 3: Color the Owl Craft Pieces
While the paper plate is drying, have children color their owl pieces.
They’ll need to color the eyes, ears, beak, wings, feet, and whichever belly design they choose.
For a traditional fall owl, I recommend using warm autumn colors such as:
- Brown
- Orange
- Yellow
- Tan
- Rust
Of course, children can choose any colors they like!
If you’re looking for a quicker craft, the colored templates are a great option.
Step 4: Cut Out the Owl Template
Once the pieces are colored, carefully cut around each template shape.
Younger preschoolers may need help cutting some of the smaller pieces, especially the beak and feet.
Older preschoolers and kindergarten students can practice their scissor skills by cutting the larger shapes independently.
Step 5: Assemble the Owl’s Face
Now it’s time to give your owl its adorable face!
Glue the two ears to the back of the paper plate near the top.
Next, attach the large round eyes toward the top of the plate.
Glue the orange triangular beak between the eyes, pointing downward.
Your owl should already be starting to take shape!
Step 6: Choose Your Owl’s Belly Design
This is my favorite part of the craft because I’ve included two different ways to decorate the owl’s belly!
Option 1: Simple Patterned Owl Belly
For a quicker and easier version, use the large oval belly piece with the feather pattern already drawn on it.
Simply color the belly and glue it onto the lower center of the paper plate.
This option works especially well for younger preschoolers or when you need a craft that doesn’t require as much cutting.
Option 2: Layered Feather Owl Belly
For a more detailed owl, use the individual feather templates.
Have children color the feathers using different fall colors, then cut them out.
Starting at the bottom of the paper plate, glue the feathers onto the owl’s belly.
Work upward, slightly overlapping the feathers to create a layered look.
I especially like this option because children can experiment with colors, patterns, and arranging their feathers.
It’s also a wonderful opportunity to practice fine motor skills!
Step 7: Add the Owl’s Wings and Feet
Glue one wing onto each side of the paper plate.
Next, attach the two orange feet along the bottom of the plate.
Make sure all the pieces are securely attached, then allow the glue to dry completely.
Your adorable fall paper plate owl is finished!
Two Fun Ways to Make Your Fall Owl Craft
One of the things that makes this printable owl craft a little different is the choice between two belly designs.
Both versions use the same paper plate, face, wings, and feet, but each creates a slightly different finished owl.
Simple Owl Craft for Preschoolers
The simple belly option is perfect for younger children who are still learning how to cut and glue.
Instead of cutting several individual feathers, children only need to color and attach one large belly piece.
This makes the activity easier to complete while still giving children plenty of opportunities to practice important skills.
It’s a great choice for preschool classrooms, homeschool lessons, and fall craft stations.
Colorful Feather Owl Craft for Kindergarten
The layered feather option adds an extra creative element to the project.
Children can choose their feather colors, arrange them into patterns, and practice overlapping the pieces as they glue.
This version is especially fun for kindergarten students who enjoy spending a little more time on their crafts.
You could even have children create a repeating pattern with their feathers!
For example, they might arrange them:
Brown, orange, yellow, brown, orange, yellow.
It’s a simple way to sneak a little early math practice into a fun fall art activity.
Educational Benefits of Making an Owl Paper Plate Craft
Crafts are more than just a fun way to keep little hands busy!
I believe simple projects like this paper plate owl craft can provide wonderful opportunities for children to develop important early learning skills.
Fine Motor Skill Development
Coloring the owl pieces, cutting around the shapes, and applying glue all encourage children to use the small muscles in their hands.
These movements help build the coordination and control needed for writing and other everyday tasks.
Color Recognition and Sorting
The individual feather pieces provide an easy opportunity to practice identifying and sorting colors.
Before gluing the feathers onto the owl, ask children to group them by color.
You can also have them name each color as they attach the feathers.
Counting and Early Math Skills
If children choose the layered feather belly, turn the activity into a simple counting game!
Have them count how many feathers they use to decorate their owl.
You could also ask questions such as:
- How many orange feathers did you use?
- Do you have more brown feathers or yellow feathers?
- How many feathers are on your owl altogether?
- Can you make a repeating color pattern?
These simple questions make it easy to incorporate early math skills without turning the craft into a formal lesson.
Following Directions and Sequencing
Making an owl requires children to follow several steps in a particular order.
They paint, color, cut, arrange, and glue the pieces together.
Following these directions helps children practice sequencing, listening, and completing a project from beginning to end.
Fun Fall Learning Activities to Try With Your Owl Craft
Once your paper plate owl is finished, there are several ways to turn it into a fun fall learning activity.
Learn About Owls
Use this craft as an introduction to learning about real owls.
Talk about where owls live, what they eat, and what makes them different from other birds.
Some interesting owl facts to share with children include:
- Owls are birds of prey.
- Many owls are active at night, although some are active during the day.
- Owls have excellent hearing.
- Their feathers help many owl species fly quietly.
- Owls can turn their heads much farther than humans can.
You could also look at pictures of different owl species and compare their colors and features with the paper plate owls.
Practice Letter O Recognition
This craft is a fun addition to a Letter O learning theme!
Introduce the uppercase and lowercase letters O and o, then practice saying the word “owl.”
Have children identify the beginning sound in the word owl.
You can also pair this activity with Letter O coloring pages, tracing worksheets, or an alphabet activity.
Create an Owl Counting Activity
If children are using the individual feather pieces, have them count each feather before gluing it onto their owl.
For an extra challenge, give children a specific number of feathers to use.
For example, ask them to decorate their owl with five orange feathers and three brown feathers.
This is a simple way to practice counting, number recognition, and following directions.
Make an Owl-Themed Fall Bulletin Board
These adorable owls would make a wonderful addition to a fall classroom bulletin board!
Display the finished crafts together with a fun title such as:
“Look Whooo’s Learning!”
You could also add colorful paper leaves, tree branches, and acorns to create a cozy woodland scene.
This would be a cute way to decorate a preschool classroom, kindergarten hallway, or homeschool learning space.
Owl Picture Books to Read With Your Paper Plate Owl Craft
Pairing a craft with a picture book is one of my favorite ways to turn a simple activity into a more complete learning experience.
Reading an owl-themed story before or after making the craft can help children build vocabulary, practice listening skills, and learn more about these fascinating birds.
Here are a few owl picture books that would pair nicely with this fall owl craft.
Little Owl’s Night by Divya Srinivasan
Follow Little Owl as he explores the forest at night and discovers the animals and sounds around him.
This beautifully illustrated picture book is a wonderful introduction to nocturnal animals.
After reading, talk about which animals are awake during the day and which are active at night.
Owl Babies by Martin Waddell
This sweet story follows three baby owls waiting for their mother to return.
It’s a lovely book for discussing feelings, family, and reassurance.
You could have children create three paper plate owls and use them to retell the story.
Little Owl’s Orange Scarf by Tatyana Feeney
Little Owl isn’t very happy with the orange scarf his mother made for him.
This charming story is a fun choice for talking about feelings, preferences, and creativity.
After reading, encourage children to choose their favorite colors for their owl’s feathers.
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
This beautiful story follows a child and father as they go owling on a quiet winter night.
Although it’s set during winter, it’s a wonderful book for introducing children to owls, their habitats, and the natural world.
This book works especially well for kindergarten students and older children.
More Fun Fall Crafts and Printables for Kids
If your children enjoy making this paper plate owl craft, there are plenty of other fun fall activities you can add to your lessons!
I love combining seasonal crafts with simple educational printables because they give children opportunities to learn through different types of activities.
Here are a few more fall activities you might enjoy.
Fall Paper Plate Wreath Craft
Create a colorful fall wreath using a paper plate and printable autumn decorations.
Children can decorate their wreaths with leaves, acorns, mushrooms, and other fall-themed pieces.
It’s another fun way to practice cutting, coloring, and gluing.
Fall Tree Name Craft
Help children practice spelling their names with a colorful fall tree name craft!
This activity combines creativity with name recognition and letter sequencing.
It’s perfect for preschool and kindergarten students.
Free Fall Roll and Cover Game
Add a little math practice to your fall activities with a printable roll and cover game.
Children roll a die, identify the number, and cover the matching spaces on their game mat.
It’s an easy activity for math centers, homeschool lessons, or independent practice.
Free Fall Preschool Worksheets
Keep the autumn learning going with fall-themed worksheets that focus on early literacy, counting, tracing, and fine motor skills.
These activities pair wonderfully with seasonal crafts and are easy to incorporate into your daily lessons.
Tips for Making This Paper Plate Owl Craft With Preschoolers
If you’re planning this activity for younger children, a little preparation can make the process much easier.
Here are a few tips I recommend:
Prepare the paper plates ahead of time. Painting the plates brown before the activity gives children more time to focus on decorating and assembling their owls.
Use the simple belly design. The single patterned belly piece is easier for younger children to manage than several small feathers.
Precut smaller pieces when needed. If children are still developing their scissor skills, you can prepare the beaks and other smaller pieces ahead of time.
Let children choose their colors. While traditional fall colors look adorable, giving children creative freedom makes the project more personal.
Make one owl as an example. Having a completed owl available can help children understand where the pieces belong.
Most importantly, don’t worry about making every owl look exactly the same!
A slightly crooked wing or an unusual feather color is part of what makes children’s crafts so special.
Pin This Paper Plate Owl Craft for Later!
Not ready to make your owl craft just yet?
Be sure to save this easy paper plate owl craft to your favorite Pinterest board so you can find it when you’re planning your next fall activity!
It’s a fun project to keep on hand for preschool fall themes, kindergarten art activities, woodland animal lessons, and rainy autumn afternoons.
Get Your FREE Paper Plate Owl Craft Template Here!
Ready to make your own adorable fall owl?
I’ve created a FREE printable paper plate owl craft template to make this activity easy to prepare for your children or students!
Your printable includes:
- Owl eyes, ears, beak, wings, and feet
- Simple patterned owl belly
- Individual feathers for the layered belly option
- Black-and-white templates for coloring
- Colored templates for easy assembly
- Step-by-step craft instructions
To get your free owl craft printable, simply enter your email address in the form below and click the download button.
Your printable will open instantly after you hit the download button, so you can print it and start crafting right away!
Already subscribed? No worries! If you’ve downloaded something from us before, simply fill out the form again, and you’ll automatically get your download after you hit the download button. No extra steps needed.
Final Thoughts on This Easy Fall Owl Craft
I hope you and your little learners enjoy making this adorable paper plate owl craft!
With just a paper plate, a few basic supplies, and my free printable owl template, children can create their own colorful woodland friends while practicing important fine motor and early learning skills.
I especially love that this craft includes two different belly designs, making it easy to adapt for preschoolers, kindergarten students, and children with different skill levels.
Whether you’re planning a fall homeschool lesson, a classroom craft activity, or a fun afternoon project, these little owls are sure to make an adorable addition to your autumn decorations.
Happy crafting!
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