Paper Plate Rainbow Craft For Kids Free Pdf Template

This fun and easy craft is a great way to teach kids about rainbows while letting them get creative. With a free PDF template in color and for color, this colorful activity is perfect for learning and crafting! Use this activity to teach the science behind why rainbows appear and as an opportunity to teach God’s promise behind them! Note: This project is best suited for toddlers, preschoolers, kindergartners, and even older children with the guidance of a parent or teacher. To make the project extra fun, I included two different ways to assemble the rainbow; they both look very different. One uses the paper plate as the sun, and the other uses the paper plate as the rainbow. Go ahead and grab your supplies, and let’s make colorful rainbows!

Tools & Materials

Printer Template (download at the end of the article; you don’t need to subscribe!) Glue 9-inch paper plate Scissors White cardstock Yellow paint – Rainbow paint colors. Paintbrush Cotton balls (optional)* Colored paper – seven different rainbow colors (optional) Colors, markers (optional)

*If you don’t have cotton balls, you can make this craft using only the template, which will be just as fantastic. Super tip: If you don’t have paper plates, cut an 8-9-inch circle with white cardstock.

Step 1 – Print Rainbow Template

Before you print the template, take a look at the pages. Only print the ones you need to make your desired rainbow! As with all of my crafts, you can make them as easy or complex as you like. Print the colored template to save time, or print the coloring for a more extended activity. I printed the colored template!

Step 2 – Paint

Always start by painting first, as it takes longer to dry. Your children will probably want to glue as soon as they finish cutting. I will use the paper plate as the sun option for the step-by-step tutorial.

Step 3 – Cut Template

It’s cutting time! I decided to include the rainbow colors. However, you can also cut paper strips with rainbow colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet). The ideal size for each strip is 1in x 9in.

Step 4 – Glue

Let’s assemble our rainbow! And, just like that, your rainbow craft is complete! Doesn’t it look adorable?

A Second Way to Assemble the Rainbow!

Here’s the other way to assemble the rainbow! Cut a paper plate in half and color each rainbow stripe with a thick brush (1/5″). You don’t have to wait until each stripe is dry to keep painting. Washing the paintbrush and drying it with a paper towel is enough. A little blending between each is okay; isn’t that how a real rainbow is? When the plate dries, glue clouds, sun, and cotton balls! Which one do you like better?

Download Template!

As I mentioned, here’s the rainbow template for your craft! Click the image to open the PDF in a new window or the yellow button to trigger a download on your phone or computer. Oh! Just so you know, I also have a library full of free SVG files and Printables for all my subscribers, a.k.a. Daydreamers. You can see a preview right here or get access by filling out this form.