Ingredients
- 1 white paper plate, 9 inches wide, uncoated if possible
- 1 sheet tan or light brown construction paper, 9 by 12 inches
- 1 sheet colored construction paper for the pie filling, 9 by 12 inches (red, orange, purple, or yellow)
- 1 sheet dark brown construction paper, 9 by 12 inches (optional for baked edges)
- 2 fluid ounces red, orange, purple, or yellow washable acrylic or tempera paint
- 1 fluid ounce tan or light brown washable acrylic or tempera paint
- 0.5 fluid ounce dark brown washable acrylic or tempera paint
- 1 tablespoon white washable acrylic or tempera paint (optional for highlights)
- 1 small foam brush, 1 inch wide
- 1 small round paintbrush, approximately 1/4 inch wide
- 1 pair of child-safe or household scissors, 5 to 7 inches long
- 1 pencil, standard size
- 1 ruler, 12 inches long
- 1 bottle of white school glue, 4 fluid ounces
- 1 glue spreader or scrap of cardboard, 2 by 3 inches
- 1 piece of cotton string, 12 inches long
- 1 sheet of newspaper or 1 reusable table mat, at least 18 by 24 inches
- 1 paper towel, 11 by 11 inches
- 1 small cup, 8 fluid ounces, for water
- 1 plastic or washable palette, about 6 by 8 inches
Instructions
- Cover your table with newspaper or a reusable mat before you open the paint.
- Choose the pie shape. Place the 9-inch paper plate face up and lightly draw two lines from the rim toward the center to mark a wedge about 4 inches wide at the outside edge.
- Cut out the wedge. Use scissors to cut along both pencil lines, stopping at the center area of the plate. Remove the wedge and keep it nearby as a guide for the paper pieces.
- Paint the filling. Pour 2 fluid ounces of your chosen filling color onto the palette. Use the 1-inch foam brush to spread a thin, even coat over the front of the plate, leaving a narrow white border around the rim.
- Add a second coat. Wait about 20 to 30 minutes, then add another thin coat if needed.
- Cut the crust shape. Place the removed plate wedge over the tan construction paper and trace around it, adding a second outline about 1/2 inch outside the traced shape, then cut out the larger wedge.
- Shape the crust edge. Use the tan paint and the small round brush to add loose curved marks along the outer paper edge.
- Make the lattice strips. Measure and cut six tan strips, each 1/2 inch wide and 5 inches long. Lay three strips in one direction and three across them in the opposite direction.
- Paint baked details. Use the dark brown paint sparingly along the ends and a few edges of the lattice.
- Fix uneven areas gently. Let the paint dry before correcting any mistakes.
- Attach the crust and lattice. Spread a thin layer of white school glue across the back of the tan wedge and press it onto the painted plate. Use tiny dots of glue for the lattice strips.
- Add a small highlight. Mix or use the tablespoon of white paint and add a few marks near the center of the filling.
- Make a hanging loop. Fold the 12-inch cotton string in half and tie the loose ends together. Glue the tied ends down at the top back of the plate.
- Dry and clean up. Leave the Paper Plate Pie Craft flat for 1 to 2 hours, or overnight if the glue feels cool or tacky.
Notes
This project uses scissors, so children should cut safely with adult supervision. The craft is decorative and not food safe.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
