How to Catch a Monster Paper Plate Craft Kids Love

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A fun and playful paper plate activity: How to Catch a Monster Craft

Has a paper plate ever come to mind, and you thought, “Yeah, this has monster potential”? No? Just me? Today we will be making the How to Catch a Monster Paper Plate Craft. Prepare because today’s activity concerns the fun of books meeting art. Based on the adorable monster children’s book “How to Catch a Monster” by Adam Wallace and Andy Elkerton, we made a craft that has horns, teeth, and enough personality to be the main character in a children’s book.

This friendly monster paper plate craft is great for a reading session or a rainy-day activity that doesn’t require 47 steps or a PhD in Pinterest. Let’s dive in, monster-style.

Why Crafting is Like a Brain Gym for Kids

It is like a workout for the brain, like yoga for the brain – calming, stretching, and strengthening the brain. This is why making kids messy with glue and googly eyes is a good idea:

It boosts imagination. There are no rules in monster-making. Pink teeth? Sure. Three noses? Why not.
It supports fine motor development. Cutting, painting, and gluing are a bit of a secret hand exercise.
It encourages problem-solving. “Wait, where do the horns go again?” Exactly.
It helps kids express big feelings. Monsters are funny, shy, or even cross–just like kids.
It’s a screen-free bonding experience. You will laugh, paint, and accidentally stick your finger to the table. It’s great.

Materials You’ll Need (No Fancy Craft Store Run Required)

How to Catch a Monster Paper Plate Craft

You probably already have most of this stuff lying around in your kitchen junk drawer or inside your child’s art box. If not, Dollar Tree has your back.

1 paper plate (preferably white or any other color that you like)
Paint: green for the base, blue, red, yellow, black, and white for monster features
Paintbrushes (or fingers, if you’re feeling brave)
Scissors
Glue stick or school glue
Scrap paper or construction paper for horns and details
Optional: googly eyes, glitter, pom-poms, or other bits of flair

Let’s Build a Monster: Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Set the stage.

There will be a newspaper, oversized T-shirts for the kids, and fun background music. This is going to get messy but in the best way possible.

2. Paint the paper plate.

Green paint the whole plate. This will be your monster’s “skin.” Leave it to dry for a few minutes while you prepare the other parts. You get extra points if your little one decides to name their monster during this part. Ours was “Gerald the Grumpy Gigglebeast.”

3. Shape the face.

Cut a blob-like shape from another paper plate or thick scrap paper to make the monster’s face. It should be smaller than the plate and look like a cloud having a bad hair day. Paint this part blue (or any other crazy color you fancy).

4. Add monster features.

Use a black marker to draw big yellow eyes with a black pupil, paint a bold red nose, and draw teeth. We painted the teeth white and the mouth black, but you can add a gold tooth or a lollipop stuck to the cheek. Let your child’s imagination run free.

5. Make horns.

Cut out horn shapes from construction paper, curvy, pointy, twisty, or any monster shape you like. You can paint them or leave them plain and stick them to the top of the green plate.

6. Assemble your monster.

When everything is dry, glue the blue face to the middle of the green plate. Then, stick on the horns, and you have a monster masterpiece.

Reading and Crafting: A Match Made in Creative Heaven

Undoubtedly, books and crafts go hand in hand; it is learning at its most beautiful. Before the craft, read the book “How to Catch a Monster,” the children will be able to learn about the characters, their emotions, and the reactions of the monsters. Then, through the craft, they can further explore the ideas in 3D – giving life to the monsters of their imagination. The activity transforms ordinary reading time into purposeful learning time. At this moment, your child moves from being a receiver of the story to an active participant who recreates the story while generating sequels.

Extend the Fun: Monster Mayhem Ideas

The additional monster activities listed below provide more entertainment for kids who have already finished their monster creations:

Let your monsters participate in a fashion show while they stroll along a paper runway.
Create monster puppets using paper bags or socks as your primary materials.
Create your personal “How to Catch a Monster” narrative.
Build a monster trap using LEGOs or blocks as the construction materials.
Host a monster dance party. Yes, really.

Final Thoughts from the Craft Table

Every craft does not need to appear as perfectly as Pinterest does. But this? The monster craft creates a messy outcome from which you will be pleased. The activity brings vibrant colors and quirky creativity while depending solely on children’s involvement. When your child displays their handmade monster alongside a proud smile, you will understand the genuine enchantment.

Take a paper plate, a paintbrush, and your child who loves monsters. You will regret it only when you decide to limit your family monster creations.

Gerald the Grumpy Gigglebeast requires both rest and snacks right now. And probably a Storytime sequel.

More Paper Plate Crafts to Make with Your Kids

Are you looking for more paper plate crafts to make with your kids? The fun ones below will delight your children and offer many creative possibilities!