Need a quiet-time craft that won’t destroy your kitchen table? This paper plate frog is fun, fast, and surprisingly mess-free.
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If your kids are anything like mine, they love anything cute, bright, and just a tiny bit silly—and this Paper Plate Frog Craft checks every single box. It’s the perfect afternoon activity when you want something fun, low-mess, and full of charm.
And that big heart in the center? It makes this craft extra sweet for Valentine’s Day, spring themes, classroom projects, or just because your little one wants to make something adorable “for someone special.”
Why You’ll Love This Paper Plate Frog Craft
This craft takes simple supplies—just a paper plate, construction paper, and a little paint—and turns them into the most lovable frog holding a heart.
Kids get to practice tracing, cutting, painting, and assembling… all while making a friendly little frog that looks like it hopped straight out of a storybook. It’s especially great for:
- Valentine’s Day
- Spring nature units
- Rainforest or pond animal themes
- Grandparent gifts
- Rainy-day creative time
And because it uses super common materials, it’s easy to prep and even easier to adapt depending on your child’s age.
Check out more fun crafts for kids:
- Crafts for Kids
- and more
Supplies You’ll Need
How To Make This Fun Frog
This is a wonderful Valentine’s Day craft for ages 4 and up. If you’re working with toddlers, simply pre-cut the shapes and let them do the fun sticky parts. It’s simple, cheerful, and perfect for short attention spans.
Print the Template & Cut the Paper Pieces
Start by printing the frog craft template. Use it to trace and cut out all the frog parts—eyes, arms, legs, tongue, and the layered heart pieces—onto construction paper.
Prepare the Frog Body (Paper Plate)
Cut your paper plate into a frog body shape (head and body connected as one piece).
Paint the Frog Body
Using green paint and a paintbrush, cover the entire paper plate and let it dry completely.
Assemble the Paper Pieces
Layer the eye circles, put together the heart, and assemble the tongue so everything is ready to attach.
Attach the Frog Features to the Plate
Glue the eyes onto the frog’s head. Add the mouth and tongue to bring your frog to life!
Glue the Heart to the Frog’s Belly
Place the heart front and center—your frog is giving a big, squishy paper hug!
Add the Arms
Glue the frog’s arms on top of the heart so it looks like it’s holding it tight. And just like that, your cheerful paper frog is ready to hop its way into someone’s heart!
Tips for Moms (Because We Get It!)
- Skip the paint and cover the plate with green construction paper—no mess, no dry time.
- Pre-cut pieces for toddlers so they can focus on gluing and painting.
- Make it extra cute with sparkles, glitter glue, or googly eyes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is this craft best for? Preschool and up! With younger kids, you may want to help with cutting, but toddlers can definitely glue pieces and paint.
Can I use markers instead of paint? Yes—you can color the plate with markers, crayons, or even tissue paper if you prefer a no-paint option.
Can this be used as a classroom craft? Absolutely! It’s budget-friendly, fast to prep in bulk, and easy for kids to personalize.
What can we do with the finished frog? Use it as a Valentine, hang it on the fridge, add magnets to the back, or turn it into a fun spring decoration.
Is there a way to make this more educational? You can pair it with a quick “pond life” lesson, talk about frogs’ life cycles, or even make different animals from paper plates.
One Last Thing
There’s something so sweet about a craft that feels both simple and special at the same time—and this little heart-hugging frog does exactly that. It’s cheerful, colorful, and filled with kid-made charm, making it the perfect project for family craft time.
Pour a cup of tea, spread out the supplies, and enjoy creating a new childhood favorite with your little ones.
Download the template
Paper Plate Frog Craft
A cute, kid-friendly frog holding a heart — perfect for Valentine’s Day, spring themes, or a fun rainy-day craft.
Materials
- Paper plate
- Construction papers (green, pink, red, etc.)
- Printable frog template (included at the bottom of this post)
- Glue
- Scissors
- Green paint
- Paintbrush
Instructions
- Print & Cut the Template. Print the frog craft template and trace the shapes onto construction paper. Cut out the eyes, arms, legs, heart, and tongue.
- Shape the Frog Body. Cut your paper plate into a frog body (head + body in one connected piece).
- Paint the Paper Plate. Paint the entire plate green and let it dry completely.
- Prep the Paper Pieces. Layer the eyes, build the heart, and shape the tongue so everything is ready to glue.
- Attach the Frog Features. Glue on the eyes, draw or glue the mouth, and add the tongue.
- Add the Heart. Glue the heart to the center of the frog’s belly.
- Finish With the Arms. Attach the arms so it looks like the frog is holding the heart.
Notes
- Use green construction paper instead of paint for a no-mess version.
- Pre-cut pieces for toddlers.
- Add glitter, googly eyes, or patterned paper to make your frog unique.
Kids’ Valentine Crafts
