Easy Paper Snail Craft

Make a super fun paper snail! You can play with your snail and make up stories, or glue it onto a piece of paper and draw a slimy trail. This craft is great for all kids and helps you practice using your hands.

15-30 minutes Ages 3-8

About This Project

A 15–30 minutes craft for ages 3–8, using supplies you likely already have — Scissors, Googly Eyes, and Paint.

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.

Step 1: Print and color the snail body.

May need grown-up help

Print the free snail template. You can print it right onto thick paper like cardstock or construction paper. Or, you can use the template to cut out the two parts from the back of a paper plate. Color the body of your snail using crayons or markers. You can even add a little pink 'blush' to the snail’s head!

Printable Snail Template

Step 2: Cut out the snail's body.

Cut out the snail shell and snail body apart from the template. Leave the circle for the shell intact until after you paint it.

Step 3: Paint the snail shell using a squeegee.

May need grown-up help

Lay out some newspaper or parchment paper on your crafting table to keep it clean. Place the circle for the snail shell on top of the newspaper. Squeeze out about three small dots of paint onto the shell. Pick bright colors you like! Now, use a store card or another stiff, straight edge like a squeegee. Pull the paint around in a circle on the shell until you like how it looks. The different colors will mix together in a cool way. Set the shell aside to let the paint dry. This step can be messy, so be careful with the paint.

Step 4: Draw a spiral on the dry shell.

Once the paint on your snail shell is completely dry, use a black marker to draw a swirly spiral shape on it.

Step 5: Cut out the snail's shell.

Take your spiral shell and carefully cut it out.

Step 6: Glue the shell to the body.

Now, use your glue stick to attach the snail’s colorful shell to the top of its body.

Step 7: Draw the snail's face.

Use your black marker to draw a happy face on your snail. You can draw a big smile! If you have googly eyes, you can glue them on instead.

Easy Paper Snail Craft

About This Project

Project Tags

Find Supplies