Make a Lion Wall Hanging
Make a colorful lion wall hanging using paper plates, paint, yarn, and glue; cut, assemble, and decorate to learn shapes and textures.
About this activity
Make a colorful lion wall hanging using paper plates, paint, yarn, and glue; cut, assemble, and decorate to learn shapes and textures.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Gather all materials on a table so you can reach everything easily.
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Step 2
Cover the table with newspaper or a towel to protect it from paint.
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Step 3
Paint one paper plate a bright color for the lion’s face.
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Step 4
Paint a second paper plate a different bright color for the mane.
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Step 5
Let both painted plates dry completely before cutting or gluing.
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Step 6
Use scissors to cut the rim of the dried mane plate into even strips, stopping before the center to make a fringed mane.
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Step 7
Apply glue to the back rim of the face plate where the mane will go.
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Step 8
Press the fringed mane plate onto the glued area at the back of the face plate so the mane peeks out.
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Step 9
Cut two ear shapes from a scrap paper plate or colored paper.
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Step 10
Glue the two ear shapes to the top back edge of the face plate so they stick out above the mane.
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Step 11
Use a black marker to draw eyes a nose a mouth and whiskers on the lion’s face.
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Step 12
Cut a length of yarn for a hanger long enough to hang on a wall hook.
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Step 13
Attach the yarn ends to the top back of the lion with glue or tape.
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Step 14
Let all glue dry completely so your lion is strong and ready to hang.
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Step 15
Share your finished lion wall hanging on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do you make a lion wall hanging?
To make a lion wall hanging, start by painting a paper plate in a warm lion color and let it dry. Cut yarn into lengths for the mane and glue them around the plate edge, layering colors and textures. Cut smaller paper shapes for ears, eyes, nose and mouth; paint or draw details and glue in place. Add a loop of yarn or ribbon to the back for hanging. Supervise cutting and drying between steps.
What materials do I need for a lion wall hanging craft?
You'll need paper plates, washable tempera or acrylic paints, paintbrushes, yarn in various colors for the mane, scissors, glue (white craft glue or glue sticks), construction paper or cardstock for facial features, markers, a ruler, and a length of yarn or ribbon to hang. Optional: googly eyes, glitter, stickers, sponges for texture, and a hot glue gun used only by adults for sturdier attachments.
What ages is this lion wall hanging activity suitable for?
This craft suits ages 3–10 with adult support. Toddlers (3–4) enjoy painting and gluing larger yarn pieces while an adult handles cutting. Preschool and early school-age kids (5–7) can practice cutting, layering, and simple assembly with supervision. Older children (8–10+) can design more detailed faces, experiment with mixed materials, and work more independently. Adjust complexity, tools, and supervision according to each child's fine-motor skills.
What are the benefits of making a lion wall hanging?
Making a lion wall hanging builds fine motor skills (cutting, painting, gluing), color and shape recognition, and sensory awareness through yarn textures. It encourages following steps, creative planning, and problem-solving, boosting confidence when children display their finished art. The project supports vocabulary (mane, whiskers, texture) and offers an opportunity for cooperative play and conversation between parent and child, plus a decorative keepsake that reinforces pride in craftwork.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can I use if I don't have paper plates or yarn?
If you don't have paper plates, cut circles from cardstock or a cereal box for the face and mane and substitute string, ribbon, or twine for the yarn, then follow the same painting, cutting, and gluing steps.
My mane tears when I cut the rim—what should I do?
If the dried mane plate tears while cutting, make sure it is completely dry or strengthen it by gluing a scrap paper to the back before cutting, and if the fringed mane won't stay attached add extra glue around the rim or secure it with tape when pressing it to the face plate.
How can I change the project for younger or older kids?
For younger children have an adult pre-cut the mane and ears and let them paint and use a glue stick to attach pieces, while older kids can add layered mane strips, textured materials like yarn or tissue, and paint detailed facial features before adding the hanger.
Any ideas to make the lion more special or long-lasting?
To personalize and strengthen the wall hanging, paint patterns on the mane plate before cutting, glue on googly eyes instead of drawing them with a marker, seal the finished lion with clear craft sealer, and reinforce the yarn hanger with tape or a staple at the top back of the face plate.