Have fun with this Paper Plate Hot Air Balloon Craft. This easy craft is great if you’re going to a hot air balloon festival with your kids. Or maybe you’re learning how a hot air balloon works with the students in your early years classroom. Either way, kids of all ages will have so much fun making this adorable hot air balloon.
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Transport Activities for Kids
Explore some more transport themed kids play ideas. These transport activities, as well as some fun transport facts, are perfect for toddlers and preschoolers who love amazing machines.
- DIY Road Blocks
- Car STEM experiments for kids
- 24 Free Transportation Printables
- Construction Sensory Bin
- Transport Lacing Cards
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For more ideas, visit 18 Transportation Arts and Crafts.
Materials Needed
- Paper Plate
- Construction paper (blue and brown)
- Paint
- Glue
- Scissors
- Sharpie
How to Make a Paper Plate Hot Air Balloon Craft
Step 1. Use a sharpie to draw the lines of a hot air balloon shape.
This is optional, but of course you can just leave the plate blank so that the kids can decorate it however they like.
2. Paint the hot air balloon plates.
There are so many different ways to decorate the plates, especially if you have a variety of craft supplies on hand. Things like pipe cleaner, washi tape and tissue paper work wonderfully. If you have items with different textures, you can always turn this into a sensory craft too.
3. Cut some cardboard or brown construction paper into a square. This will make the basket underneath the bright balloon.
I used cardboard from the recycling and let my kids paint them whichever color they wanted.
Another idea I love, but only thought of after we had finished the craft, is to use egg cartons for the basket instead. Cut the egg carton cup in half and use it that way instead. Or you can use a similar technique with a paper cup instead.
4. Glue the dried paper plate and square basket onto some blue craft paper.
5. Use a sharpie to draw lines from the sides of the basket to the bottom of the balloon.
You can also use a loop of string instead of drawing to make the ropes on the hot air balloon.
Are you going to try this Paper Plate Hot Air Balloon Craft with your kids?
Don’t forget to pin the idea for later.
