One of the most thrilling parts of beginning school is having the chance to travel on a school bus. For children who cannot wait to hop aboard, help them prepare and become acquainted with this enjoyable and Simple Paper Plate School Bus Craft!
This project works well as a back-to-school activity, a “The Wheels on the Bus” lesson, a transportation-themed project, or an entertaining craft for new bus riders. Children can add their bus number to the paper plate school bus as a playful way to help remember it.
Simple Paper Plate Bus Craft
For this straightforward bus project, gather paper plates, black construction paper, yellow acrylic paint, scissors, and glue.
You will also need an item for tracing two small black circles to use as wheels. We chose a circle cookie cutter here, though a 2” circle paper punch would also be suitable, or you can trace around the edge of a small glass.
Supplies for the Paper Plate Bus Craft
- Paper plates
- Black craft paper
- Yellow acrylic paint
- Round cookie cutter
- Scissors
- Adhesive
Step-by-Step Directions for the Simple School Bus Craft
Start by slicing one paper plate into two halves.
You may crease the paper plate before cutting, or simply estimate the center. Only one half will be required. Save the remaining piece for a second bus or another creative project.
Cover the leftover paper plate half with yellow paint, then allow it to dry thoroughly.
As the paint dries, draw two circles onto the black construction paper. A white pencil will make the outlines more visible.
Snip out each circle following the drawn outlines.
After that, cut three black squares to serve as the school bus windows.
Once the paint has dried, trim away one corner of the paper plate as pictured to form the front of the school bus. Throw away the small trimmed section.
Attach the two black wheels to the lower edge of the paper plate, lining them up along the straight side.
To finish this simple back-to-school project, glue the squares onto the bus as windows.
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Additional School Bus Crafts for Children
Want to discover more enjoyable school bus projects for back-to-school season? Take a look at our other Paper Plate School Bus Craft, Shapes School Bus Craft, Cardboard Roll School Bus Craft, and Paper Loop School Bus Craft, just to mention a few of the many back-to-school activities at Our Kid Things!
Materials
- Paper plates
- Black craft paper
- Yellow acrylic paint
- Round cookie cutter
- Scissors
- Adhesive
Instructions
- Start by slicing one paper plate into two halves.
- You may crease the paper plate before cutting, or simply estimate the center. Only one half will be required. Save the remaining piece for a second bus or another creative project.
- Cover the leftover paper plate half with yellow paint, then allow it to dry thoroughly.
- As the paint dries, draw two circles onto the black construction paper. A white pencil will make the outlines more visible.
- Snip out each circle following the drawn outlines.
- After that, cut three black squares to serve as the school bus windows.
- Once the paint has dried, trim away one corner of the paper plate as pictured to form the front of the school bus. Throw away the small trimmed section.
- Attach the two black wheels to the lower edge of the paper plate, lining them up along the straight side.
- To finish this simple school bus project, glue the squares onto the bus as windows.
Notes
For the wheels in this project, we used a round cookie cutter, although a 2” circle paper punch would also be suitable, or you can trace around the rim of a small glass.