This paper plate bunny craft is one of those rare projects that works for almost every age and skill level and somehow, no two kids ever end up with the same result.
The base is simple enough that a three-year-old can follow along, but the decorating step at the end gives older kids a real creative challenge they’ll actually care about.
One child will make a soft, sparkly bunny princess. Another will give theirs a bow tie and a monocle. A third will keep it plain and sweet with just the whiskers and a smile.
Every single one will be adorable and every single one will be different. That’s what makes this paper plate bunny craft worth pulling out again and again.
Set out the decorating supplies in the middle of the table so kids can see everything available before they start. Knowing what they have to work with gets their imagination going early and means fewer “can I have the glitter?” interruptions once they’re in flow.
Why This Craft Works for So Many Different Kids
Most crafts are either too simple and get boring fast, or too complicated and end in frustration. This one threads the needle. Here’s why it holds kids’ attention from start to finish:
The bunny face comes together quickly — kids see results fast, which keeps younger ones engaged rather than restless
The ears add instant personality — attaching and bending them is one of those small moments that genuinely delights kids
The decorating step is open-ended — there’s no right answer, which means older kids get to exercise real creative judgment
It scales with the child — a toddler can glue on googly eyes and call it done; a six-year-old can spend twenty minutes on the accessories alone
If your kids love the personalizing aspect of this craft, they’ll get the same satisfaction from the layered shell-building in our paper plate turtle craft – another one where every finished result looks a little different.
What You’ll Need
Basic supplies:
- 1 white paper plate
- White cardstock or craft paper
- Pink paper or cardstock
- 2 googly eyes
- Black marker
- Glue stick or craft glue
- Scissors
Optional decorating supplies (the fun part):
- Felt pieces
- Gems or rhinestones
- Pearl stickers
- Glitter or glitter glue
- Bows or ribbons
- Mini crowns
- Star stickers
- Paper bow ties or accessories
- Extra paper for cheeks or other details
The basic bunny is sweet on its own but laying out a few extras transforms this from a quick craft into a full creative session.
How to Make the Paper Plate Bunny Craft
Step 1: Lay out your supplies
Before anyone touches the glue, get everything within reach; plate, papers, googly eyes, marker, scissors, and whatever decorating extras you’re putting out.
Having it all visible from the start means less interrupting the creative flow once things get going, especially with younger kids who don’t love waiting between steps.
Step 2: Add the eyes and nose
Glue two googly eyes near the center of the plate, then cut a small triangle from pink paper and glue it just below the eyes for the nose.
It’s a simple step, but the moment those eyes go on, kids immediately see the bunny taking shape and that early win keeps them motivated for everything that follows.
Step 3: Draw the mouth and whiskers
Using a black marker, draw a small curved mouth beneath the nose, then add whiskers extending out from both sides. This is where each bunny starts developing its own character.
A slightly lopsided smile or extra-long whiskers might look like a mistake in the moment but it’s usually what makes a child’s bunny feel distinctly theirs.
Step 4: Make and attach the ears
Cut two long ear shapes from white cardstock or craft paper, then cut smaller teardrop shapes from pink paper and glue them inside each ear.
Once the ears are assembled, glue them to the back of the plate so they stand up from the top. They can sit straight and symmetrical, or angled slightly apart, both look great and kids can choose what feels right to them.
Tip: Cardstock makes sturdier ears that hold their shape better than regular paper, especially if kids want to bend or style them.
Step 5: Bend one ear forward
Gently fold one ear forward at a slight angle before moving on. It’s a tiny detail that makes an outsized difference; suddenly the bunny looks curious and alive rather than flat and stiff.
You can absolutely leave both ears straight, but this one small adjustment is what tends to make kids say “oooh, I love it” when they hold it up.
Step 6: Decorate your bunny
This is the step kids have been waiting for. Once the basic bunny is complete, hand over the decorating supplies and step back. Some kids will work methodically, placing gems in careful rows.
Others will pile on bows, crowns, and glitter all at once. Both approaches turn out brilliantly and the less you direct this step, the more proud kids are of the result when they’re done.
Tip: Do the basic bunny steps together, then let kids decorate independently. That balance of guided + free gives younger kids confidence and older kids ownership.
Two Very Different Bunnies – Both Perfect
To show just how differently this paper plate bunny craft can turn out, here are two completed versions that couldn’t look more different from each other:
The Princess Bunny
Sparkly ear details, pearls along the face, a delicate bow, and a tiny crown sitting on top. It’s soft, dressed-up, and looks like something a kid would want to keep on their shelf rather than just stick to the fridge. Perfect for kids who love anything that glitters.
The Character Bunny
A bow tie, a monocle, rosy blush cheeks, and star details scattered across the face. It has a completely different energy, playful, quirky, and full of personality. This version shows kids that there’s no single “right” way to decorate, and that the more unexpected the choices, often the better the result.
These two finished bunnies are worth showing kids before they start decorating, not as templates to copy, but as proof that anything goes.
Tips for Making It Go Smoothly
Use cardstock for the ears — it holds up much better than regular paper, especially once kids start bending and styling
Pre-cut the shapes for younger kids — let them focus on placing and gluing rather than struggling with scissors
Do the bunny base first, then decorate — trying to do both at once leads to a messy, unfinished result
Let kids position the ears themselves — straight, angled, one bent — there’s no wrong answer and it’s part of the fun
Keep the decorating relaxed — the more freedom kids have in this step, the more invested they are in the finished bunny
More Crafts to Try Next
☀️ Paper Plate Sun Craft — bright, cheerful, and great for younger crafters just getting started
🍦 Paper Plate Ice Cream Craft — same layering energy with a delicious twist
🍉 Paper Plate Watermelon Craft — a fun layering project that’s perfect for summer days
🐠 Paper Plate Fish Craft — colorful cupcake liner scales that kids absolutely love adding
🐢 Paper Plate Turtle Craft — another build-it-piece-by-piece project where every result looks unique
Final Thoughts
What this paper plate bunny craft gets right is something a lot of kids’ projects miss. It gives children a starting point without dictating the ending. The bunny base is just structured enough to feel achievable, and the decorating step is just open enough to feel genuinely creative.
The kids who go all out with crowns and gems will be proud of it. So will the ones who keep it simple. That’s a rare thing in a craft, and it’s exactly why this one is worth keeping in your back pocket for whenever you need an easy, no-fail activity that kids will actually remember making.
