This paper plate unicorn craft is one of those projects that instantly makes kids smile. With its heart-shaped face, bright colors, and sweet unicorn details, it’s especially cute for Valentine’s Day, but it really works any time of year.

Whether you’re doing a unicorn theme, a fairy tale unit, or just need a cheerful craft for a rainy afternoon, this one is simple, fun, and very satisfying to put together.

paper plate unicorn craft for valentines

Using a paper plate as the base keeps things sturdy and easy for little hands, and the free printable template means there’s no tricky drawing involved. Kids can focus on cutting, assembling, and making their unicorn look just how they want it.

This unicorn is a great mix of creative and manageable. Cutting the paper plate into a heart shape adds a lovely Valentine’s twist, while the bright mane, horn, and friendly face make it appealing beyond February.

It’s also a nice fine motor activity, with lots of opportunities for cutting, gluing, and careful placement of the pieces. You can keep it close to the template or let kids change the colors and make it totally their own.

This paper plate unicorn craft is so much fun to make and really is a great activity for kids of all ages. Young children love putting together the unicorn’s face, while older kids enjoy choosing different colors and arranging the mane pieces in their own way. It’s a great project to slow things down and let kids focus, create, and feel proud of what they’ve made.

Materials Needed for Your Paper Plate Unicorn Craft

For this paper plate unicorn craft, you’ll need just a few basic supplies:

● Paper plate
● Red paint
● Paint brush
● Construction paper
● Scissors
● Glue
● Marker

How to Make the Paper Plate Unicorn

Before you start, download and print the free unicorn template. This makes the whole process much easier, especially if you’re crafting with a group. Follow along with the simple step by step instructions below to make your own magical unicorn with our free template.

Paper Plate Unicorn

A sweet paper plate unicorn craft with a heart-shaped face, perfect for Valentine’s Day but fun all year round.

Materials

Paper plate
Red paint
Paint brush
Construction paper
Scissors
Glue
Marker

Tools

Printer for the template

Instructions

Cut the paper plate into a heart shape
Paint it red. Set it aside to dry completely.
Cut out the template pieces, trace them onto the matching construction paper colors, and cut them out.
Assemble the unicorn pieces one by one, laying them out before gluing to see how they fit together.
Glue the assembled pieces onto the paper plate heart.
Attach the ears at the top of the plate.
Followed by the unicorn horn
Glue the hair (unicorn's mane) just below the horn, layering the pieces for a fun mane effect.
Draw details on the eyes using the marker
Add the eyes to bring your unicorn to life. And also add the nose.
Finish by drawing any extra details with a marker.

Once everything is dry, your unicorn is ready to display.

A Perfect Unicorn Craft for Valentine’s Day and Beyond

The heart-shaped paper plate makes this unicorn especially sweet for Valentine’s Day, whether you’re making it at home, in a classroom, or at a party. At the same time, unicorns are always popular, so this craft works just as well for birthdays, fairy tale themes, or everyday crafting fun.

You can easily switch up the colors to suit different seasons or let kids choose their own favorite combinations.

This craft works well for little girls and boys alike and can easily be adapted in a different way by changing colors or adding different decorative elements, stickers and so on.

Download the Free Unicorn Template PDF

To make this craft super easy, grab the free printable unicorn template below. It includes all the shapes you need for the ears, horn, hair, eyes, and nose, ready to print and use.

Terms of use: This cute paper unicorn template pdf file is free for personal use and classroom use, not for commercial use.

More Unicorn Crafts and Activities

Unicorns are always a hit with kids, and if you’re in the mood for more magical fun, you’re in the right place. Below you’ll find more unicorn crafts and activities that are perfect for creative play at home, in the classroom, or for themed parties and special days.

Cute and Cozy Unicorn Valentine Coloring Pages for Kids

Handprint Unicorn Craft with Free Printable Template

More Valentine’s Animal Crafts for Kids

If you’re looking for more cute and creative Valentine’s ideas, these animal crafts are a perfect way to keep kids crafting and having fun. From sweet heart-themed animals to playful paper projects, they’re great for celebrating Valentine’s Day with a hands-on activity kids will love.

13 Cutest Heart-Shaped Animal Crafts for Valentine’s Day

More Paper Plate Crafts for Kids

If you enjoyed this unicorn craft, we have lots more paper plate ideas to try. Paper plates are such a versatile base for kids’ crafts, and they’re perfect for seasonal projects, animals, and character designs.

Flying Superhero Paper Plate Craft

If you enjoyed this unicorn craft, please consider sharing this blog post with friends, family, or on social media. It really helps others find our activities and supports us in creating more fun crafts for kids.

If you make this paper plate unicorn, we’d love to see it. Share your finished crafts on social media or in our Facebook group and don’t forget to tag us. It’s always fun to see how different each unicorn turns out.