Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Paper · The activity desk
Paper plate penguin portrait
Draw a penguin with flippers and a contrasting belly on a plate.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
One plain paper plate and large child-appropriate crayons
Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.
Stay with the child throughout. Check the space and supplies, including anything within reach of younger siblings. Skip any activity that is unsuitable. Stop if a child puts non-food material in their mouth or becomes distressed. Use intact books, full sheets of paper, a large child-appropriate crayon and a clean, dry towel. Follow product labels; remove torn paper and keep broken crayons and caps away from children. Adult handles and stores supplies.
Set up: Place the plate and crayons on a clear table.
Adult's role: Stay beside the child and offer to draw a large oval as a starting point.
Let's make it happen
- Draw a large oval for the penguin's belly in the center of the plate.
- Add a face above the belly and flippers on either side, then color around them.
- Draw feet at the bottom and imagine your penguin sliding or swimming.
Make it simpler: Draw the penguin together and let the child color its belly.
Clean up: Put crayons away and save or recycle the portrait.
Use child-appropriate crayons with supervision and remove broken pieces.