I love this dream catcher paper plate craft for kids of all ages honoring the Native American culture and the meaning behind authentic dream catchers. It is the perfect craft to start the exploration of Native American history.

Make this Dreamcatcher Paper Plate Craft and then talk to your kids about their dreams the next day.

My daughter and I love doing a quick paper plate craft together. I think it’s because we always have paper plate craft supplies on hand.  

Dream Catcher Craft for Kids

This paper plate dream catcher craft was inspired by Happy Hooligans who made these adorable paper plate dream catchers and I had to make one with my daughter.

What is a Dream Catcher?

First noted in the Ojibwe Nation, dreamcatchers were hooped spiderwebs with protective charms created by Asibikaashi, Spider Woman, to protect children and the land.

I love this reminder that while dreamcatchers are lovely decorations and fun crafts, the meaning behind a dream catcher goes much deeper.

“…this keepsake of  Native American culture is more than just a fashion statement. The dream catcher is a sacred symbol, a mother’s blessing to her children for peace and positive energy.”

–TheFemmeOasis

Paper Plate Dream Catcher Craft

Since my daughter likes to have a little light while she falls asleep, we decided to make our paper plate dream catchers with a twist…

So, there we were, standing in the dollar isle at Target when I saw a packet of glow-in-the-dark stars for $1.

I couldn’t resist! We took them home and decided to add our glow in the dark stars to our paper plate craft dream catchers.

Our dream catcher results were truly gorgeous.

This article contains affiliate links.

Supplies Needed

• Paper Plate
• Small hole punch 
• Paint
• Thread or string
• Glow in the dark stars
• Scissors or preschool safety scissors

Directions

Step 1

First, cut out the center of the paper plate.

Step 2

Then, let kids paint with whatever colors they choose.

Step 3

When they dry, punch small holes all the way around the inside of the paper plate. They can be wide apart.

Step 4

Start threading – See the dream catcher threading step by step instructions below the picture.

Now, this is where is gets a little tricky. It is simpler than I expected to thread a dreamcatcher and has a gorgeous result.

Note: You can also let kids thread the dream catcher however they’d like if you prefer!

How to Thread a Dream Catcher

1. Thread loosely through each hole that you hole punched.
2. When you’ve made it all the way around, start threading through each “bump” that the thread created. Pull as you go.
3. When you get all the way around again (it should look like sun rays like in the picture above), you’ll start threading under the thread (through each “sun ray”) until you get all the way around.
4. Keep going until the opening is small.
5. Wrap the thread around a glowing star or, if you don’t want the star, just make a knot.

Step 5

Add three holes to the base of your paper plate and thread with string and a glowing star.

Step 6

Hang.

Your own glow in the dark dream catcher. Perfect for hanging over your little one’s bed.

{“@context”:”http:\/\/schema.org”,”@type”:”HowTo”,”name”:”Paper Plate Dream Catcher”,”author”:{“@type”:”Person”,”name”:”Katie”},”datePublished”:”2021-08-30″,”yield”:”1″,”description”:”Kids can make their own dream catcher craft with things you have around the house like paper plates, thread and some paint. Celebrate the history of the Native American dreamcatcher with this lovely keepsake.”,”about”:”craft”,”image”:[“https:\/\/kidsactivitiesblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/dream-catcher-craft-for-kids-480×480.jpg”,”https:\/\/kidsactivitiesblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/dream-catcher-craft-for-kids-480×360.jpg”,”https:\/\/kidsactivitiesblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/dream-catcher-craft-for-kids-480×270.jpg”,”https:\/\/kidsactivitiesblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/dream-catcher-craft-for-kids.jpg”],”performTime”:”PT20M”,”totalTime”:”PT20M”,”tool”:[“Small hole punch “,”Scissors”],”supply”:[“Paper Plate”,”Paint”,”Thread or string”,”Glow in the dark stars”],”step”:[{“@type”:”HowToStep”,”text”:”Cut out the center of the paper plate.”,”position”:1,”name”:”Cut out the center of the paper plate.”,”url”:”https:\/\/kidsactivitiesblog.com\/67898\/dream-catcher-paper-plate-craft\/#mv_create_383_1″},{“@type”:”HowToStep”,”text”:”Paint the paper plate outer ring whatever color is best for your dream catcher.”,”position”:2,”name”:”Paint the paper plate outer ring whatever color…”,”url”:”https:\/\/kidsactivitiesblog.com\/67898\/dream-catcher-paper-plate-craft\/#mv_create_383_2″},{“@type”:”HowToStep”,”text”:”Punch holes all the way around on the inside of the paper plate ring.”,”position”:3,”name”:”Punch holes all the way around on the…”,”url”:”https:\/\/kidsactivitiesblog.com\/67898\/dream-catcher-paper-plate-craft\/#mv_create_383_3″},{“@type”:”HowToStep”,”text”:”Thread the string through the holds: thread loosely through each hole, after you make it all the way around, thread through the bump you have created pulling as you go and repeat again and again until the opening is small.”,”position”:4,”name”:”Thread the string through the holds: thread loosely…”,”url”:”https:\/\/kidsactivitiesblog.com\/67898\/dream-catcher-paper-plate-craft\/#mv_create_383_4″},{“@type”:”HowToStep”,”text”:”Wrap the thread around a glowing star in the middle (or tie a knot).”,”position”:5,”name”:”Wrap the thread around a glowing star in…”,”url”:”https:\/\/kidsactivitiesblog.com\/67898\/dream-catcher-paper-plate-craft\/#mv_create_383_5″},{“@type”:”HowToStep”,”text”:”Add three holes to the bottom of the paper plate and attach more glowing stars with thread to hang below the dream catcher.”,”position”:6,”name”:”Add three holes to the bottom of the…”,”url”:”https:\/\/kidsactivitiesblog.com\/67898\/dream-catcher-paper-plate-craft\/#mv_create_383_6″},{“@type”:”HowToStep”,”text”:”Punch a hole at the top and use to hang your dreamcatcher.”,”position”:7,”name”:”Punch a hole at the top and use…”,”url”:”https:\/\/kidsactivitiesblog.com\/67898\/dream-catcher-paper-plate-craft\/#mv_create_383_7″}],”url”:”https:\/\/kidsactivitiesblog.com\/67898\/dream-catcher-paper-plate-craft\/”}

More Dream Catcher Crafts & Fun from Kids Activities Blog

• DIY dream catcher craft for kids is a lovely way to make a dream catcher with sticks you find outside.
• Download & print our dream catcher coloring pages for adults and kids.

Learn More About Native American Culture & Dream Catchers

• Dream Catcher Lullabies is a beautiful book for younger kids that is perfect to read at nap time or bedtime.
• Grandmother’s Dreamcatcher is the story of a child staying with her Chippewa grandmother.
• Love the art behind this Native American Inspired Coloring Book: Dreamcatcher with 50 Tribal Mandalas, Patterns & Detailed Designs
• Explore Native American Cultures with 25 Great Projects including making a dreamcatcher.
• And this favorite Native American story is sure to be your child’s favorite book, Raven: A Trickster Tale from the Pacific Northwest

More Fun Crafts for Kids

• This glowing sensory bottle is perfect for bedtime. The glow in the dark aspect makes for a magical bedside companion for the kids!
• Our glow in the dark slime recipe will keep the kids busy for hours.
• Don’t forget to play this glow in the dark tic tac go while you’re at it! 
• 25+ Glow-in-the Dark – Hacks and Must-Haves

How did your paper plate dream catcher craft turn out? Did your kids love making their own dream catchers and learning more about dreamcatcher history?