Paper Plate Masks

Can you think of ways to help
protect our nature friends?

• Construction paper in black, brown, orange, yellow, light gray, and brown
• Elastic cord
• 4 beads or buttons
• White glue
• Scissors
• Paper plates

1. Download the free patterns for this project. (Downloading requires Adobe Acrobat software.)

Try making a mask of your
favorite animal.

2. To make the owl, cut out mask shape from paper plate as shown. Enlarge and trace patterns, opposite. Cut orange ears, orange and yellow feathers, black and brown eyes, and orange beak. Cut several 1-inch slits into each piece (except ears and beak) for a feathery look. Glue ears behind plate. Layer and glue feathers to front of mask. Fold and glue beak to front. Glue eye pieces in place. Cut eye holes in plate. Poke small holes on either side of mask. Pull elastic cord through holes and tie to button or bead to prevent knot from pulling through. Cut eye holes with scissors.

3. To make the raccoon, cut the paper plate as for the owl. Enlarge and trace the patterns. Cut a bandit mask and ears from brown. Tear pieces of paper for "fur." Glue ears to plate. Layer and glue fur pieces front and back. Glue eyes, nose, and paper whiskers to mask. Poke small holes on either side of mask. Pull elastic cord through holes and tie to button or bead to prevent knot from pulling through. Cut eye holes with scissors.

Look through coloring books for ideas to make other animal masks.