Preschool and kindergarten graduations are important milestones, so help make the occasion unforgettable with our charming Paper Plate Graduation Award Craft! This precious graduation keepsake features a favorite photo from their school year.
Naturally, we’ve included a Free Printable Graduation Award Template with every piece you need, including the paper plate’s center opening for the photo. Assemble everything for an adorable graduation project to treasure, while encouraging them to continue doing their best in the grades ahead.
Preschool Graduation Award Craft
Before creating this graduation award craft, print our graduation award template.
Gather paper plates, acrylic paint in the colors you prefer, cardstock in black, yellow, and additional assorted colors, along with a black sharpie, a 1” circle paper punch, 4×6 pictures, scissors, and a glue stick.
Graduation Award Paper Plate Craft Supplies Needed
- Graduation Award Template
- 4×6 photos
- Paper plates
- Acrylic paint – colors of your choice
- Cardstock – black, yellow, and colors of your choice
- Black sharpie
- 1” circle paper punch
- Scissors
- Glue stick
Paper Plate Graduation Craft Step by Step Directions
Start by painting one paper plate using the colors you selected.
Allow the paint to dry fully.
As the paint dries, print the graduation award template and trim out each piece. Trace the cap onto black cardstock and two ribbons onto the cardstock color you chose. Cut out all the traced shapes.
Next, finish the cap by punching a 1” circle from yellow cardstock. From that same yellow cardstock, cut a rectangle that is slightly narrower.
Make several cuts along one end of the yellow rectangle to create the tassel.
Attach the yellow circle to the top of the yellow rectangle with glue.
Afterward, glue the tassel onto the side of the cap.
Once the paper plate paint has dried, cut a zigzag border around the plate’s outer edge.
Using the template’s circle, mark a matching circle in the middle of the plate.
An adult should carefully place the scissors into the plate’s center and cut along the marked circle.
Set a photo inside the opening and secure it with tape.
Now, glue the ribbons along the bottom of the paper plate.
Secure the cap at the top of the paper plate with glue.
To finish, write the year on the ribbons with a black marker.
This is a wonderful way to help your little graduate feel incredibly special!
Pin this Craft!
Enjoy this craft? Don’t forget to pin the image below on Pinterest! We’d also love to hear if you made it on Instagram
More Graduation Crafts for Kids
Want to find more adorable preschool graduation crafts? Take a look at our Handprint Graduating Class Craft, Cardboard Roll Graduation Cap Craft, Paper Plate Apple Frame Craft, and Apple Paper Photo Frame Craft, just to mention a few of the many school projects for children at Our Kid Things!
Materials
- Graduation Award Template
- 4×6 photos
- Paper plates
- Acrylic paint – colors of your choice
- Cardstock – black, yellow, and colors of your choice
- Black sharpie
- 1” circle paper punch
- Scissors
- Glue stick
Instructions
- Begin by painting a paper plate in the colors you prefer. Allow the paint to dry completely.
- While the paint dries, print the graduation award template and cut out its pieces. Trace the cap onto black cardstock and two ribbons onto the color of cardstock you selected. Cut out the shapes.
- Then, create the cap by punching a 1” circle from yellow cardstock. Cut a slightly narrower rectangle from the same yellow cardstock as well.
- Snip cuts into the yellow rectangle to form the tassel.
- Glue the yellow circle onto the top of the yellow rectangle.
- Next, attach the tassel to the side of the cap using glue.
- When the paper plate paint is dry, cut a jagged border around the plate’s outside edge.
- Trace the circle from the template onto the center of the plate.
- Have an adult carefully poke scissors into the plate’s center and cut around the traced circle.
- Place a photo within the opening and tape it securely.
- At this stage, glue the ribbons to the lower portion of the paper plate.
- Attach the cap to the upper part of the paper plate.
- Lastly, write the year across the ribbons with a black marker.