This paper plate soldier craft is a simple and meaningful project that’s perfect for kids to make around Veterans Day, Memorial Day, or any time you’re learning about community helpers. It’s an easy soldier craft that uses everyday materials, and we’ve even included a printable soldier craft template to make it even simpler to put together.
Whether you’re making it at home, in the classroom, or at a community event, it’s a great way to talk about bravery, service, and teamwork.
Soldier Craft Themes and Learning Ideas
This soldier craft works beautifully for themes like community helpers, Veterans Day, or even general art and craft activities throughout the year. Listed below are some dates throughout the year which are all great times to tie this into lessons about service and gratitude.
It’s a meaningful addition to preschool Veterans Day activities or classroom bulletin boards. Kids can learn about how soldiers protect and help others while building their creative and fine motor skills.
- January – Armed Forces Day (in some countries like Nigeria and Iraq) – a good time to talk about the military and national service.
- March – National Vietnam War Veterans Day (March 29, United States) – a meaningful day to honor Vietnam veterans.
- May – Memorial Day (last Monday in May, United States) – a time to remember and honor soldiers who have lost their lives in service.
- July – Independence Day (July 4, United States) – often celebrated with patriotic crafts and activities that can include soldiers, flags, and community helpers.
- August – Victory in Japan Day (VJ Day, August 15, United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries) – marking the end of World War II.
- November – Veterans Day (November 11, United States) and Remembrance Day / Armistice Day (November 11, UK, Canada, Australia, and others) – perfect times for soldier crafts, poppy crafts, and remembrance activities.
Camouflage Craft Ideas
Soldiers often wear camouflage uniforms designed to blend into their surroundings. Camouflage helps them stay safe by making it harder for others to see them in certain environments like forests, deserts, or snow.
You can explain this to children as they paint their soldier’s hat or uniform. It’s a fun and educational way to connect art with real-world knowledge. This army craft is such a fun way to learn more about camouflage.
Materials Needed for This Soldier Craft
To make your paper plate soldier, you’ll need simple supplies that you probably already have around the house or classroom.
You’ll use a paper plate for the face, construction paper or cardstock for the hat and details, paint in brown, green, and white, scissors, glue, and a paintbrush.
If you’re making this in a group or for a class, you can print the soldier craft template from our website (print them below at the end of this blog post) so everyone can easily follow along. It’s a great way to make Veterans Day crafts for kids more accessible and organized.
How to Make a Paper Plate Soldier Craft
Follow these easy step-by-step instructions to make your own paper plate soldier. This soldier craft for preschoolers is so easy and fun!
Paper Plate Soldier Craft
This easy soldier craft for kids is a great way to combine art, creativity, and learning. Whether you’re planning Veterans Day preschool art, Memorial Day activities, or army crafts for a classroom bulletin board, it’s a fun and hands-on project that sparks conversation and appreciation.
With our simple soldier craft template and just a few materials like paint, paper, and glue, kids can create their own brave little hero. It’s one of those classic Veterans Day preschool crafts that’s both meaningful and easy for children to make independently.
Materials
- Paper plate
- Construction paper in different colors
- Scissors
- Glue
- Brown, green, and white paint
- Paint brush
- Marker
Tools
- Free printable template download below
Instructions
- Paint the paper plate peach, or the skin tone of your choice. You can mix brown and white for this to get your preferred tone.
- In another paper plate, cut and trace the soldier’s hat template and the peices for the ears, and cut them out.
- Then paint it green and brown with a camouflage design.
- Cut and trace the templates for the other details, trace them onto to your chosen color of construction paper and cut again.
- Assemble the templates one by one.
- Attach the details of the face to the paper plate such as eyes, eyebrows, and hair.
These can be attached with a glue stick 
- Attach the soldier’s hat at the top of the hair.
- Draw a smile and nose using the marker.
- Don't forget his ears!
Once the paint has dried and everything is glued in place, your soldier craft is ready! This is such a fun and creative activity for kids of all ages. Preschoolers can practice their painting and cutting skills, while older children might enjoy designing their own camouflage patterns or adding extra details to personalize their soldiers.
If you’re making this project in a different country, feel free to adapt the colors and style of your soldier’s outfit to represent your nation’s uniforms.
Download the Soldier Template PDF
To make things easier for your veterans day craft for preschool, we’ve created a printable soldier craft template that you can download and print. It includes all the shapes and pieces you’ll need to complete your easy soldier craft. It’s perfect for home, school, or community events.
Terms of use: Our veterans day soldier craft template is free for personal use and classroom use.
This simple soldier craft is a wonderful way to honor and learn about the people who serve in the armed forces. Whether you’re doing it for Veterans Day, Memorial Day, or just as a fun craft for kids, it’s a great way to spark meaningful conversations while encouraging creativity.
More Community Helpers Crafts and Activities
If you enjoyed this project, be sure to check out our other community helper crafts and preschool activities. There are so many fun ways to help kids learn about the important people who make a difference in our communities.
- Community Helpers Coloring Pages
- Nurse Paper Bag Puppet with Printable Template
- Free Printable Firefighter Craft for Kids
- All About My Teacher Free Printable
More Veterans Day Crafts and Activities
If you enjoyed this soldier craft as a veterans day craft for kids, then you’ll be happy to know we have lots more Veterans Day craft ideas and art projects for kids too, from easy Veterans Day crafts for preschoolers to printable activities for the classroom. These are great for teaching appreciation and respect while having fun with creative projects.
- 18 Poignant Poppy Crafts for Kids
- Veterans Day Coloring Pages for Kids
- Veterans Day Writing Prompts for Kids
- Veterans Day Acrostic Poem Examples and Template for Kids
If you enjoyed this soldier craft, please share this blog post with your friends, teachers, or community groups so others can try it too. Sharing helps more families and classrooms find creative, educational crafts for their kids!
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.
1 thought on “Paper Plate Soldier Craft for Kids”