Simple Easter Cross Craft For Kids (Beautiful!)

Celebrate the true meaning of Easter with this beautiful paper plate Easter cross craft that’s simple, meaningful, and fun for kids to make. With a free printable template included, this easy Easter activity is perfect for kids of all ages to create and enjoy at home, in the classroom, or in a Sunday school setting.

You want a craft that teaches the Easter story without turning your kitchen into a glitter explosion. Something that looks beautiful enough to display but simple enough that your six-year-old can actually finish it.

This Easter cross craft is far more simple than it looks – and it makes the perfect addition to your Easter decorations.

The gradient colors simulate a sunrise, tying beautifully into the resurrection theme. If you want to talk through the Easter story while crafting, this visual gives you a built-in teaching moment. Purple represents the darkness before dawn, and yellow captures the light of the resurrection morning.

The stone tomb detail adds depth without adding complexity.

For more crafting fun, pair this Easter cross craft with our Cute Easter Bunny Paper Plate Craft!

What You’ll Need

This cross Easter craft keeps your supply run minimal! Here’s what you’ll need:

• One paper plate per child – standard white works best
• Four colors of construction paper – gradient works beautifully with purple, orange, yellow, and green, but any color progression looks stunning
• Black and Brown or gray construction paper – for the cross and stone (could also use black cardstock)
• Child-safe scissors
• Glue stick or white craft glue
• Pencil for tracing
• Free printable template

How To Make This Easter Cross Craft With Kids

Here’s where the magic happens for this easy Easter craft. This process is simple enough for kindergarteners with a little guidance and satisfying enough for older children who want their work to look polished.

1. Download and print the Easter Cross craft template.
2. Create your gradient background. Take your four construction paper colors and arrange them in order. Layer one on top of the another and glue them together to create one large gradient sheet. Feel free to use the picture below as a guide.
3. Attach gradient to your paper plate. Place your paper plate face down on the back of your gradient sheet. Trace around it with pencil, then cut out the circle. Glue this gradient circle directly onto the front of your paper plate, smoothing out any air bubbles as you go. The plate gives structure, and the gradient gives beauty.
4. Trace and cut your cross shape. Using your black construction paper, trace your cross template and cut out the shape of a cross.
5. Trace and cut your stone. Use the brown or gray paper and trace the stone shape from the template. This rounded rectangle sits at the bottom of the cross (and the plate), representing the tomb.
6. Assemble your pieces. Glue the stone first, positioning it at the bottom of your plate. Then glue the cross so it tucks behind the stone slightly. Press firmly and let the glue set for a minute before moving the craft.

Expert Tips That Make the Difference

Set up a crafting station – if you’re doing this Easter cross craft with a group of kids, put all materials within reach but organized. For example, glue goes in one spot, scissors in another, and paper in a third spot – sorted by color.

Cut or tear your four gradient colors into strips. You don’t need perfect measurements. The beauty of this craft lies in its organic, handcrafted look. If you’re working with younger kids, pre-cutting these strips saves frustration and keeps the project moving.

Use the provided template to trace and cut out your cross and stone pieces. Once you’ve got templates that work, you can trace multiples quickly if you’re crafting with a group.

Use a glue stick for the gradient paper and white glue for the cross and stone. Glue sticks prevent warping and wrinkling on larger paper surfaces. White glue gives a stronger bond for the dimensional pieces that will get handled and displayed.

Let kids choose their own gradient colors. Some will love the traditional sunrise palette. Others will want blues and greens or even rainbow progressions. This Easter cross craft works with any color story, and ownership over color choice makes the kids much more engaged in the craft!

Talk through the symbolism as you craft. Ask why the stone is at the bottom. Discuss what the empty cross represents. Let the craft become a conversation starter rather than just busy work. You could also play worship music in the background. The best Easter crafts teach while hands are moving.

If you’re crafting with a mixed-age group, let older kids help younger ones with the tracing and cutting. Peer mentoring keeps everyone engaged and builds confidence in both the helper and the helped.

Easter Cross Craft Variations Worth Trying

Once you’ve mastered the basic version, these twists add freshness if you’re making multiples or want to level up.

Add texture to the stone. Crumple up brown or gray tissue paper and glue it onto the stone shape before attaching it to the plate. This creates a rocky, three-dimensional texture that makes the tomb feel more realistic. Granite patterned scrap book paper or shelf liner is also a great option!

Create a torn paper gradient. Instead of cutting the gradient circle cleanly, tear the edges of each color strip before assembling. The rough edges give an artistic, handmade quality that older kids especially appreciate.

Use the back for journaling. Flip the paper plate over and let kids write what Easter means to them, draw additional scenes, a personal Easter message, or paste a printed Bible verse. This transforms a meaningful craft into a keepsake with personal meaning.

Use craft foam instead of construction paper. You can make foam shapes the same way that you would make paper shapes!

Make it a classroom set. If you’re crafting with a group, create a gallery wall of crosses and let kids notice how different color choices and paper textures change the mood. It’s an easy way to discuss artistic expression and personal interpretation.

The best part? You can pull this fun Easter craft out year after year. The technique stays the same, but as your kids grow, the conversations deepen! Happy Easter!

More Paper Plate Crafts And Other Ideas

If you love this Easter cross craft, don’t leave without checking out these other cute ideas too!

• Paper Plate Garden Craft
• Lion Fork Painting Craft
• Torn Paper Rainbow Craft 
• Sunflower Paper Craft
• How To Make Coffee Filter Flowers

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