I can hardly think of anything I enjoy more than a wonderful yarn project. That being said, I am completely over the rainbow about our Paper Plate Lacing Leprechaun Craft. It brings together a cheerful leprechaun, our beloved type of yarn activity, and an entertaining paper plate project into one enchanting creation.
Yarn lacing projects are not only enjoyable, but they are also excellent for developing hand-eye coordination, strengthening fine motor abilities, and practicing the pincer grasp. Children will have a great time making this craft during an afternoon leading up to St. Patrick’s Day!
Create a Yarn Lacing Leprechaun Craft
To create our Paper Plate Lacing Leprechaun, gather paper plates, pale flesh-toned acrylic paint, cardstock, black sharpie, googly eyes, a hole punch, orange yarn, tape, and scissors.
You will additionally need a glue stick and a stapler.
Supplies Required for the Lacing Leprechaun Craft
- Paper plate
- Cardstock – skin-toned, green, yellow, black
- Pale skin-toned acrylic paint
- Black sharpie
- Googly eyes, small
- Single hole punch
- ⅝” hole punch
- Orange yarn
- Tape
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Stapler
Step-by-Step Directions for the Paper Plate Leprechaun
Start by painting a paper plate with a flesh-toned shade. We used a paint color named Sun-kissed Peach.
Allow the paint to dry fully.
After it has dried, punch holes around the edge of one half of the plate, pushing the punch inward as far as it can reach.
Next, secure one end of a long piece of orange yarn to the back of the paper plate with tape.
Begin threading the yarn around the plate’s edge. Tape the end of the yarn after lacing it through the holes to prevent fraying and help it pass through more easily.
Repeat the lacing through the holes several times to create a thicker beard. We passed the yarn through each hole approximately 4 times.
When finished, fasten the loose end of the yarn to the back of the plate with tape.
Then, attach the googly eyes.
Punch a circle from the skin-toned cardstock using a ⅝” hole punch. Glue the circle onto the plate to create the nose.
Next, use the black sharpie to draw a simple mouth.
After that, cut a strip along the length of the green or black cardstock to make the hat. Cut the remaining cardstock into a square. Then, cut a square buckle shape from yellow or green paper.
Join all the hat pieces with glue.
To finish, staple the hat onto the plate.