How to Make a Paper Plate Groundhog for Groundhog's Day

The most famous groundhog in America is Punxsutawney Phil. Punxsutawney Phil is the groundhog that comes out on the morning of February 2. He determines whether or not we will have more winter or an early spring. Children can make their own groundhogs in celebration of Groundhog's Day, using paper plates and paints.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paper plate
• Paints
• Paintbrush
• Scissors
• Google eyes
• Pencil
• Glue
• Popsicle stick

1. Lay one paper plate in front of you. The plate should be laid out as if you were going to eat something off of it.

2. Draw a groundhog on your paper plate with a pencil so if you make a mistake you can erase it. If you don't know how to draw a groundhog, use the link in Resources below as a reference; there are 8 groundhog images and clip art pictures on this site.

3. Cut the groundhog out with age appropriate scissors.

4. Paint your groundhog with brown paint. Add white teeth. Consider adding clothes; be creative and make your groundhog original.

5. Set the groundhog out to dry, for about 2 hours.

6. Glue on a pair of google eyes. Google eyes are often used when making animals or people because the eyes move around as if they were real.

7. Glue a popsicle stick to the back of the paper plate groundhog so that it can be used as a puppet.

Tips & Warnings

• Turn your groundhog into a necklace by punching a hole in it and tying a piece of string through the hole.
• If you would like your groundhog to serve as a refrigerator magnet, cut a strip of magnet to fit the back of the groundhog. Remove the paper strip and press in to the groundhog.
• When working with paint, protect yourself by wearing old clothes. Protect your table with newspapers.

Resources

• Groundhog Images