Try a fun kids project this fall and make a colorful, customizable wreath using a paper plate and recycled tissue paper.

Originally Published September 21, 2015
Looking for something to do with the kiddos this week? This is such a fun and easy fall craft that is really inexpensive. My son came up with the idea of making a wreath out of a paper plate and after a bit of brainstorming, we decided brightly colored tissue paper would be the perfect embellishment. We had some leftover birthday party plates that probably would never get used again so we recycled them into festive fall decor. I had jute string leftover from my vase and placemat project and every color of tissue paper under the rainbow. We gathered up our materials and got to work.
Supplies:
Tissue Paper In Various Colors
Draw And Cut Out Wreath Center
We used a birthday party plate, but any paper plate will do. Just draw a circle in the middle of the plate, however large you want the wreath opening to be.
Cut Tissue Paper Into 4-6 Inch Squares
Noah cut out squares of tissue paper in red, yellow, and orange and I cut the circle out of the plate. My brother made one, too, and he used purple, orange, and green for a Halloween vibe. No need to break out the ruler for the squares, by the way. As long as they’re all somewhere around the same size, it will be fine.
Punch A Hole And Load On The Glue
We used a hole puncher to make a hole on the top of the plate, but you can use scissors instead. The hole really can’t be seen anyway. Then, put glue all around the top of the plate, including the upper edge. We worked in sections so the glue wouldn’t dry up, and we found that filling half of the middle, then the other half, then the outer edge worked best.
Layer On The Tissue Paper Squares
Next, we stuck the middle of each tissue paper square onto the glue and crunched up the tops. It worked best when we put our finger in the middle of the square and pulled up the edges of the paper, then used the finger inside the little tissue paper pouch to stick it to the plate. You’ve got to push them pretty close together to make it look full and cover the plate completely, so make sure you squish those bad boys in tight.
Add String Hanger And Embellishments
After the plate was covered and the glue dried (about 20 minutes) we tied jute string through the hole at the top. It looked great the way it was, but we decided to add a little bow with more jute string to give it something extra. We just tied a piece of string into a bow and glued it on.



Cute, right? Not bad for something that cost me zero dollars and zero cents. It’s a great project to make after birthdays and Christmas when you have lots of tissue paper trash from opened gifts. We really loved making it, and since then we’ve made a few different variations for other holidays and parties, and I can safely say this thing is stronger than it looks.
I’m on Year Three of displaying it and it still looks exactly the same as it did when we made it. I take extra care when storing it, and I make sure it always goes on the very top of the decorations in my Fall décor weatherproof tote.
Want More?
Love this easy wreath project? I bet you’ll like this Valentine one, too!
Or check out all of my DIYs in the Project Archives.
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Kimberly says
Do you recall about how much tissue paper you used to cover the whole wreath? I’d love to use this idea as a class party activity.
lela says
Hi Kimberly! We used about 1.5 sheets of tissue paper I think (half a sheet for each of three colors). For a classroom, your best bet would be to go ahead and precut the squares to save time. Some kids may use less and others may use more, so I’d prepare more than you expect to need.
Lou Lou Girls says
Oh my! Super cute! Pinned and tweeted. We love partying with you and we appreciate you stopping by! Please take a minute to stop by next week, so we can pin and tweet your new creation. The party starts on Monday at 7 pm! Have a great Saturday! Lou Lou Girls
lela says
Thank you so much! Enjoyed the party.
Pat says
Pretty and fun! Stopped by from Foodie Friday ~ glad to find your blog.
Pat
lela says
Hi Pat! Thanks so much for stopping by! Nice to meet you.
Jen V. says
Those turned out really pretty! I am going to pin this. It will make a great weekend craft to do with my daughters.
lela says
It is so easy. My 7 year old orchestrated the whole project himself. Thanks for pinning!
Sandra gandy says
the wreaths are beautiful good job