If you’re looking for a fun and creative craft project that will delight the little mermaid lovers in your life, this DIY Paper Plate Mermaid Purse is a perfect choice! With just a few simple craft supplies and some imagination, you can create a charming mermaid purse that’s as unique as your child’s style.
This craft is easy enough for kids to make with a bit of guidance and engaging enough to keep them entertained for hours. It’s a perfect project for a rainy day, a playdate, or even a mermaid-themed Disney Movie Night!
Materials Needed:
To get started, you’ll need the following supplies:
- 1 Paper plate (cut in half)
- Kid-friendly paints in various colors (ocean blues, purples, pinks, greens)
- Cotton swabs
- pipe cleaners (to bunch cotton swabs together)
- Stapler or glue
- Foam sheet (for the mermaid tail)
- Scissors
- String or yarn
- Beads (for the strap)
- Hole puncher
- Pencil
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare Your Paper Plates
Start by cutting a paper plate in half. These two halves will form the front and back of your mermaid purse. You can use any size paper plate depending on how big or small you want the purse to be. If you prefer a larger purse, opt for a dinner-sized paper plate; for a smaller one, use a dessert-sized plate. Set the two halves aside for now.
Step 2: Mix and Prepare Paint Colors
Choose paints in colors that remind you of the ocean—think blues, teals, purples, and pinks. You can mix a few colors together to create beautiful gradients that mimic the scales of a mermaid. Set out small amounts of each color on a paint palette or paper plate to make them easy to dip into.
Step 3: Create Your Cotton Swab Paintbrushes
Take about five to seven cotton swabs and bundle them together with a piece of pipe cleaner. The extra length of the pipe cleaner makes a handy handle. This bunch will serve as your unique paintbrush, creating a scaled texture effect when used to paint the paper plates. You can make a few of these “brushes” for each color to keep your colors clean and vibrant.
Step 4: Paint the Paper Plates
Using your cotton swab bundles, dip them into the paint and start dabbing onto the paper plate halves. Encourage your little artists to layer the colors, creating overlapping dots to mimic the look of mermaid scales. This technique will give the plates a beautiful textured effect, perfect for a mermaid-themed purse. Let them experiment with different colors and patterns to make their purse truly one-of-a-kind.
Allow the paint to dry completely. This may take about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how thick the paint is applied.
Step 5: Create and Attach the Mermaid Tail
While waiting for the paint to dry, it’s time to work on the mermaid tail. Grab a foam sheet in a color that complements your purse. Using a pencil, draw the shape of a mermaid tail. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect—each tail is unique! Once you’re happy with the shape, cut it out using scissors.
After the paper plates are dry, position the foam tail at the bottom of one of the paper plate halves so that it appears to be “peeking out” from the bottom of the purse. Secure it in place with glue or use a stapler to attach it.
Step 6: Assemble the Purse
Now it’s time to assemble your purse! Align the two painted paper plate halves together so that the painted sides face outward. Use a stapler or glue to seal the curved edges, leaving the flat top edge open to form the opening of the purse. Make sure to leave enough space for little hands to fit inside to store their treasures!
Step 7: Create the Beaded Strap
For the purse strap, you’ll need a piece of string or yarn that’s about 18-24 inches long. The length depends on how low you want the purse to hang. For a shoulder-length strap, 18 inches should suffice; for a cross-body style, go with 24 inches.
To make the strap more decorative and fun, have your child string colorful beads onto the yarn. This is a great way to let them personalize their purse and improve their fine motor skills. Encourage them to use a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes to make the strap as unique as possible. When finished, tie a knot at each end of the yarn to keep the beads from sliding off.
Step 8: Attach the Strap
To attach the beaded strap to the purse, use a hole punch to create a hole at each top corner of the paper plate purse. Thread one end of the yarn through one hole and tie a knot to secure it. Repeat this on the other side with the other end of the yarn. You can also add a bit of glue on the knots for extra security.
Step 9: Add Final Details
To add a final magical touch, consider styling the purse with some additional decorations. You can use glitter glue, stickers, or even small seashells to give the purse a more ocean-inspired feel.
Tips for Success:
- Use sturdy paper plates: For a more durable purse, use thick, high-quality paper plates that can withstand painting and wear.
- Choose child-safe materials: Make sure all materials, including paints and beads, are non-toxic and safe for kids.
- Customize for different themes: While this craft is mermaid-themed, you can easily adapt it to other interests by changing the colors and shapes. Consider a unicorn, dinosaur, or princess theme!
- Involve your child: Allow your child to make choices throughout the project to boost their confidence and creativity.
- Make it a group activity: This craft is perfect for a birthday party, a playdate, or a family crafting session.
Crafting a DIY Paper Plate Mermaid Purse is not only a fantastic way to spend quality time with your child but also a wonderful opportunity for them to express their creativity. With simple materials and easy steps, they can create a beautiful accessory that they’ll be proud to show off.
Whether it’s a rainy day activity or part of a mermaid-themed birthday party, this mermaid purse craft is sure to be a hit. So gather your supplies, unleash your creativity, and dive into this magical crafting adventure!