Paper Plate Zebra

2-25-2016 -- In this post, I will be sharing a "zebra" craft idea and how I did and taught it to my child. This was an art project that Lauren did in Brightly Beaming Resources' (Step 2: Letter of the Week) homeschool curriculum for the "z" sound as in "zebra". I thought about doing a zebra craft using 2 large paper plates for the head and body. The look is inspired by a zebra clipart I saw.

ZEBRA STORY FOR KIDS: The Story Of The Brave Zebra

This is an easy craft for kids to make that involves coloring, cutting, & gluing. Every kid is different so when choosing to do or follow a craft, it is best to adapt the project to your kid's situation or abilities also making sure that it helps them learn and that the process is done best that benefits them.

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MATERIALS FOR THIS CRAFT:
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* large paper plates 
* round objects
* ruler
* white paper (bond paper, construction paper, etc.)
* black construction papers 
* crayons or oil pastel colors 
*scissors 
* glue

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First, prepare and get all the materials ready so everything is organized and ready to be used when it's time to do the whole craft or project. When preparing the materials, it is best to involve the kids, show them how the things are done if they cannot do it themselves.

ZEBRA STORY KIDS: How The Zebra Got Its Stripes

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READY FOR KID BEFORE STARTING ACTIVITY ALONG WITH OTHER MATERIALS:

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* cut paper plate (smaller size, for head)

* cut paper plate head and body cover patterns (skip for white paper plates)

* cut strips of paper (for mane)

* cut ear patterns

* cut eyeball patterns

* cut mouth and feet patterns

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DONE ADULT OR PARENT:

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* Zebra Mane: Take a ruler and create vertical lines on black construction paper. Let child cut patterns.

* Zebra Ears: Draw pattern on a white construction paper. Let child cut patterns.

* Zebra Head & Body: Take a large paper plate and cut to smaller size. If you're using a cardboard type of paper plate with silver covering on top, use back of plate and cover it with white paper. Trace the cut paper plate and another large paper plate for the body on a white paper. Cut the patterns. Skip process for plain white paper plates.

* Zebra Eye Balls: Take a round object and trace on a white paper such as bond paper or construction paper. Let child cut patterns.

* Zebra Mouth Spot: Take a round object with size just enough as mouth for zebra, trace object on a black construction paper. Let child cut circle. Measure cut circle pattern on other end of the paper plate head, draw a guide in the middle of circle tracing the end of paper plate. Let child cut on the guide.

* Zebra Feet: Take a round object with size just enough as feet for zebra on a black construction paper. Let child cut circle. Make a small fold below cut circle pattern, create line on fold using ruler. Let child cut on line.

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DONE BY CHILD:

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* cut strips of black paper for mane

* cut ear patterns

* cut eye ball patterns

* cut mouth spot pattern

* cut feet patterns

* glue zebra pieces together

* add details on zebra

Once, all the materials are ready and prepared, it's now time to work on completing the "paper plate zebra" project.

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STEPS IN DOING THIS ZEBRA CRAFT:

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1. For cardboard type of paper plates with silver top, let child create black stripes on white paper pattern cover for paper plate head and body using black crayon or oil pastel color. For plain white paper plates, let child create black stripe patterns immediately on it.

ZEBRA STORY FOR KIDS: A Zebra Called Dottie

2. Next, let child glue the white paper cover with stripes patterns on the paper plate head and body. Skip process if using white paper plates.

3. Next, let child create a black circle in the middle of eye ball patterns and nostrils on mouth spot pattern using black, gray or white crayon or oil pastel colors, then let child glue eyes and mouth patterns on paper plate head. 

ZEBRA STORY FOR KIDS: Zippy The Zebra

4. Next, let child create ear shadows on ear patterns using black crayon or oil pastel color. Glue ears on sides of paper plate head. Once, head is complete, let child glue paper plate head on paper plate body. Then, let child draw details on feet patterns using white or gray crayon or oil pastel colors and glue feet below body.

5. And there you go, the "Paper Plate Zebra" is DONE. This is one easy zebra craft for kids to make. You could add a stick at the back and make it  a zebra puppet to stage a zebra story.

If you got any reactions and thoughts regarding this craft or topic, feel free to interact and write it down in the comment box below. I'd be happy to hear from you. Thank you so much for viewing and reading.