Rainbow weaving art with paper plates and pipe cleaners is the perfect St. Patricks Day activity for the classroom or any time of year. Cheap for kids to create in Preschool or Kindergarten with rainbow popsicles for added fun.
I’m a former teacher and even though I am not in the classroom I’m still drawn to simple crafts for kids that they can do at home. This rainbow weaving art project for kids is perfect for the classroom during St.Patricks Day, or just for fun at home. (affiliate links present)
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Rainbow Craft
I have talked about many things a child should know before Kindergarten. I was always looking for cheap and easy crafts for my kids back then. This was one of them. I loved paper plate crafts because they were cheap which meant I could do more activities throughout the year.
You really have to spread out the yearly budget however you can when you’re teaching. Here is how you make this paper plate rainbow weaving art project. If you’re throwing a rainbow birthday party this is a fabulous idea too. Fun and cheap is my kinda’ get together.
For this rainbow art project you just need a few things to get you started. I would suggest making the slits in the paper plate yourself, probably after they color it blue with crayons (makes it easier).
Rainbow Weaving Art Supplies
- Paper plate but use the cheap really thin ones, not the no bend types that cost a bunch. They’re easier to cut through and cheaper anyway.
- Pipe cleaners (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple) to make the many colors of the rainbow.
- Colored pencils or crayons so they can color the plate like the sky in the background
- Cotton balls or foam peanuts can make “clouds” at one end if they want.
- Scissors for you if you have younger kids, I’d do this part ahead of time yourself.
Substitutions
You could also use packing cheetos like you see here if you have those lying around. Use your imagination and use what you have already at home if at all possible. It is a great weaving activity for Kindergarteners and just fun for everyone really.
Multi colored pipe cleaners are great when it comes to weaving because they are stiffer than yarn and great for little hands to weave in and out of the slits in their paper plate. If you are hosting an art themed birthday party this is a great activity to do.
Step 1 – Cut the paper plate in half. It is easier to use an Exacto knife on a board to cut this rather than scissors (faster too).
Step 2 – Have the children color it as they desire, before or after you cute. You could use watercolors to paint it blue or crayons.
Step 3 – Weave the colored pipe cleaners thru one at a time using the colors of the rainbow, ROYGBIV!
Step 4 – Glue cotton balls in the corner to represent clouds if you wish and your rainbow weaving art craft is done!
If you’re looking for more St.Patrick’s Day treats and ideas check out our other rainbow birthday party post too, including the ones below!