Easy Valentine’s Day Paper Plate Penguin Craft for Kids (Step-by-Step)

Valentine’s Day Paper Plate Penguin Craft for Kids

Looking for a cute and easy Valentine’s Day craft kids will love? These Valentine’s Day paper plate penguins are the perfect mix of winter fun and heart-filled creativity! Made with simple supplies and a free printable template, this penguin craft is great for preschoolers, kindergarteners, and elementary students.

Whether you’re crafting at home, in the classroom, or at a Valentine’s Day party, these sweet penguins make an adorable decoration or keepsake.

Why You’ll Love This Penguin Craft

• ❤️ Easy Valentine’s Day craft for kids
• 🐧 Perfect winter animal activity
• ✂️ Builds fine motor skills
• 🎨 Uses simple, budget-friendly supplies
• 🖍️ Works for preschool and elementary ages

Supplies Needed

• Paper plate
• Paint (white, red, pink, or purple)
• Paintbrush
• Black marker
• Glue
• Scissors
• Penguin template (see below)
• Optional: googly eyes, markers, glitter

Step 1: Paint the Paper Plate

Paint a paper plate, allow your child to select the color. This will be the penguin’s belly and base. It would be fun to use red, pink or even purple for Valentine's Day, however allow your child to choose the color of their penguins. Some kids may want to make their penguin look realistic.

Step 2 : Fold the Penguin Body

Create the penguin body by folding both sides of the paper plates in. Be sure to leave a little bit of white space in the middle and a larger space at the bottom. Now add glue and press the plate down to glue the plate down.

Step 3: Fold the Penguin Head

Now create the penguin's head by folding the top of the plate down and again apply glue. Press and hold the plate to make sure the glue holds.

Step 4: Create Valentine Hearts

Add details to your penguin's belly by drawing hearts on the white space at the bottom of the penguin's body. Alternately, you can glue on paper hearts or apply stickers.

Step 5: Add the Face

Add eyes, the beak and feet. Simply print out the template provided or create these on your own. You can also add googly eyes to the penguin.

Step 6: Personalize

Write names, Valentine messages, or words like LOVE or HUGS on the hearts. This makes the craft extra special and classroom-friendly.

Step 7: Let Dry and Display

Allow everything to dry, then display your penguins on a bulletin board, window, or shelf—or send them home as Valentine keepsakes.

✨ Free Penguin Template PDF — Click to Download!

Tips and Variation

• Let kids mix colors or paint patterns like a heart belly rather than just hearts drawn with markers.
• Add googly eyes, hats, scarves, or props (like heart flags).
• Turn penguins into classroom valentines or a banner display.
• Use patterned scrapbook paper for hearts
• Add scarves, hats, or bows for winter flair
• Turn penguins into Valentine cards by gluing them onto folded cardstock
• Let kids paint heart patterns instead of solid colors

Looking for other Valentine's Day crafts? Try some other crafts on my page!

• Conversation Hearts Name Jar

Conversation Hearts Name Jar Craft for Kids

This Conversation Hearts Name Jar craft is a sweet and simple Valentine’s Day activity that kids absolutely love. It combines creativity, fine motor skills, and name recognition into one adorable keepsake that’s perfect for classrooms, homeschool, or crafting at home. Using colorful paper hearts inspired by classic conversation

Crafty Mama BirdKim

• Valentine Heart Mosaic Craft

Valentine Heart Mosaic Craft for Kids (Easy Paper Art Activity)

Mosaics are a decorated design that is made on top of a surface. This ancient art has been used as home decor for many years. Mosaics are many of small, similarly sized pieces and then are adhered on top of a prepare surface. This is a beautiful form of art.

Crafty Mama BirdKim

Learning Extensions

• Practice shape recognition with hearts and circles
• Count the hearts on each penguin
• Read a Valentine or penguin-themed book before crafting
• Use this as a name recognition activity by labeling hearts

Final Thoughts

These Valentine’s Day paper plate penguins are a fun, simple way to celebrate love, friendship, and creativity with kids. With easy steps and lots of room for personalization, each penguin turns out unique and adorable—just like the kids who make them!

If you try this craft, I’d love to see it! Share your creations or save this project for later.

• “Leave a comment with your favorite color combo!”
• “Tag #craftymamabirdnc on Instagram so I can see your penguins!”

This penguin is a great addition to any Valentine's Day craft activity. Make a few to create your own colony of penguins. You can also read and fiction or nonfiction book about penguins to extend your child's learning.