It’s that time of the year again—when the air is chilly, hot cocoa is our favorite drink, and Santa is getting ready to dash around the globe.
But before he takes off, how about we bring some of that holiday cheer into our own homes with a super fun and interactive craft? Today, I’m sharing a delightful paper plate Santa and sleigh craft that not only looks adorable but also moves!
Yes, you heard it right. With a simple pull of a popsicle stick, Santa will be bobbing through the chimney tops in no time. And to make it even easier, we have a free printable Santa and sleigh template that can help you out with this fun Christmas paper plate craft.
Materials Needed:
- Paper plates (we’ll need a couple of these)
- Popsicle sticks (the magic movers!)
- Paint (black, white, yellow, and red to bring Santa to life)
- Paintbrushes (for those tiny artistic strokes)
- Double-sided tape & a glue stick (because what’s crafting without a little sticky business?)
- Scissors (to snip and shape our creations)
- Markers (for all the fine details)
This craft is fun for kids of all ages. We would say its perfect for kiddos aged 3 and up, with a little help from the grown-ups. It’s not only a blast to make but also a sneaky way to develop those fine motor skills, learn about colors, and follow instructions—all while having a jolly good time!
How to Make Your Paper Plate Flying Santa and Sleigh
Moving Paper Plate Santa and Sleigh Craft
This moving Santa craft transforms paper plates and popsicle sticks into a playful Christmas decoration. With just a tug, Santa glides up and down the roof tops, delighting kids and adults alike.
Materials
- 2 x Paper plates
- Popsicle stick / Craft Stick
- Paint - in Black, white, yellow, and red (acrylic paint or tempura paint is fine, as you prefer)
- Paint brush
- Double sided tape
- Glue stick
- Scissors
- Black Marker
- Free Printable template (download files below)
Tools
- Printer for template
Instructions
- Start by giving your paper plate a night sky makeover with some black paint
- Once dry, add a white moon and sprinkle some stars for that night before Christmas feel.
- Cut another plate in half for Santa’s sleigh, Use the template here for the sleigh shape.
- Next up is painting it red and adding a dash of yellow.
- Use the other half for more sleigh parts (again using the template)
and paint those yellow too. 
- Attach those pieces together to create the sleigh
- While the paint is drying, go ahead and cut the rest of the templates and trace them to the papers.
- Now, let's assemble the parts. Take your time here. It's like putting together a festive jigsaw puzzle!
- Santa needs a chimney, right? Cut that out, add some marker details, and it's ready to go.
- Santa's head comes next. Assemble Santa’s head by sticking the templates together. For his face, cut a small circle then mix a blend of brown and white to paint it.
- Once it is dry, stick the details together.
To finish the face, cut two small circles from a cardboard and shade the inner part using a marker to make his eyes then attach it to Santa's head. 
- Pop a popsicle stick at the back of Santa’s head for movement.
- Stick that chimney onto your night sky plate.
- Now for some magic! Attach the two plates with space for the popsicle stick.
- Insert the popsicle stick and watch Santa move!
- Presents can't be forgotten. Cut, trace, assemble
and attach in front of the chimney. 
- All done!
Notes
Download free printable template below
Download Free Printable Santa and Sleigh Craft Template PDF
Don’t worry about getting the shapes just right; I’ve got you covered with a free printable template. Just click below, download the PDF files, print them out and you’re on your way to crafting success!
Terms of use: Free for personal use, free for classroom use, not for commercial use (redistribution or re-sale).
This moving Santa craft is perfect for a cozy afternoon of crafting and can become a playful addition to your holiday decor or even a handmade gift for a loved one. The best part?
You’re creating more than just a craft; you’re making memories that will last a lifetime.
So grab your supplies, round up the kiddos, and let’s make some holiday magic together. Happy crafting, and may your holidays be filled with joy and paper plate Santas bobbing up and down! 🎅
Kids will love making Santa fly through the roof tops in his sleigh, with this hands on fun interactive Christmas craft activity that’s perfect for the magic of the festive season.
This craft is a whole lot of fun for Christmas craft afternoons at home, for family get togethers, or for use in school classrooms, community groups or local christmas craft sessions.
More Christmas Crafts for Kids
Want to continue with the Christmas crafting? We have so many more ideas, absolutely free to browse and use. These are just a handful of our favorites.
If you found our ideas useful, we always appreciate shares on social media such as Pinterest or recommend our site to your friends – thanks so much for the support!
- Adorable Popsicle Stick Sugar Plum Fairy Craft
- Popsicle Stick Christmas Tree Craft
- Red Nose Reindeer Craft With Free Printable Template
- Paper Plate Nativity Craft for Kids
- Paper Plate Snow Globe Craft
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.
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