Christmas Paper Plate Nativity Craft

Christmas Paper Plate Nativity Craft

Make a paper plate nativity scene to remember Jesus during Christmas. Use the free template to make it easy!

45-60 minutes Ages 6-10

About This Project

A 45–60 minutes craft for ages 6–10, using supplies you likely already have — Staplers, White Glue, and Craft Sticks.

GlueStick supports kids from setup to cleanup. After they choose a project, we guide them through gathering the supplies, making it, and cleaning up when they're done. We'll even help them share it safely with trusted family and friends.

Ad-free and kid-safe library — designed by a mom who wants kids to explore and create independently.

Project Tags
christmas indoor story telling religious house of worship puppet christianity jesus nativity
  1. 1

    Find Supplies

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    A cartoon of Staplers
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    A cartoon of White Glue
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    A cartoon of Craft Sticks
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    A cartoon of Paint Brushes
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    A cartoon of Acrylic Paint
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    A cartoon of Paper
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    A cartoon of Plaper Plates
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  2. 2

    Make Christmas Paper Plate Nativity Craft

    Your creative buddy says:
    "Are you as excited to make this as I am?"

    Step 1: Paint the Background

    May need grown-up help
    First, you will make the background for your nativity scene. Use dark blue paint to cover the top of one paper plate to make the night sky. Add light blue paint near the bottom of the plate for the horizon. Paint the bottom of the plate tan to be the ground. After the paint is dry, use white paint to add dots in the sky for stars. You can use a toothbrush or a fine paintbrush to make the stars!

    Step 2: Paint the Stable

    May need grown-up help
    Now, you will make the stable where baby Jesus will rest. Ask an adult to help you cut out the center of the second paper plate, leaving the rim. This will be the stable's frame. Paint the top of the plate dark blue, the middle light blue, and the bottom tan. Use brown paint to decorate the sides of the rim to look like wooden beams.

    Step 3: Assemble the Nativity Scene

    It's time to put the nativity scene together! Glue or staple the rim of the stable plate onto the background plate. Put the plates together so the stable is in the scene. If you want to make a puppet version, leave a space at the bottom where you can move baby Jesus.

    Step 4: Add the Characters

    Let's add Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus to the scene. Use the free printable template to trace and cut out the characters. Color or paint the characters. Give Mary a blue robe, Joseph a brown cloak, and baby Jesus white clothes. Glue Mary and Joseph onto the background plate on each side of the stable. Add baby Jesus to the center. You can glue him in place or attach him to a popsicle stick to make a puppet.

    Step 5: Make a Puppet

    You can make the craft a puppet play. Attach popsicle sticks to the backs of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. Slide the popsicle sticks through the opening you left in the plates. Now you can move the characters around as you tell the story of Jesus' birth.
  3. 3

    Clean up

    Put things away so your space is tidy for next time.

    Tidy up our space

    Put away our supplies

    Check off each supply when it is put away — and any clean-up tips underneath are done too. You might find a fun surprise!

    • A cartoon of White Glue
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Close glue lids.
    • A cartoon of Craft Sticks
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Acrylic Paint
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Make sure all paint bottle lids are shut tight.
    • A cartoon of Paper
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Plaper Plates
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Staplers
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Paint Brushes
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Rinse all the paint out of your paint brushes.

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  4. 4

    Save

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    "Way to stick with it!"

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A Little Pinch of Perfect

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