Easy Lion Fork Painting Craft Idea For Kids

If you’re looking for an easy paper plate craft or lion craft for kids, this is it! This Lion Fork Painting is cheap, easy, and makes the perfect activity for kids of all ages!

When my kids were really young, I was always trying new crafts and DIY projects with them. I tried everything from homemade playdough to edible playdough, slime, and much more!

They loved doing hands-on activities, so I loved finding ways for them to do it – especially when the weather was bad. With a few fun things to do at home, you can eliminate boredom!

I loved doing activities that involved painting. My kids loved getting their hands dirty and seeing their own final creations!

We would explore different ways of painting – it was so much fun! And today I’m showing you one of our favorite methods of making pictures: fork painting!

We’re using this cool new technique to make a cute lion.

It’s totally different method from how we made our Fireworks Painting Craft!

If you want some more fun hands-on activities, check out my:

• How To Make Outdoor DIY Puffy Paint
• How To Make Sidewalk Chalk Paint (Boredom Buster!)
• Fun & Easy Rainbow Walking Water Experiment

What is fork painting?

Wondering how to paint with a fork? It’s simple!

You dip a fork into colors of paint and press the fork onto the paper or (in this case) a paper plate.

And the final product is unique and amazing! If you love this idea, make sure you also check out this Fork Flower Painting craft.

Supplies Needed

Here’s a list of the basic craft supplies you need to make this adorable lion fork painting craft. You probably already have everything you need!

• Paper plates
• Forks – I love to use compostable forks so that they’ll break down well without harming the environment.
• Brown, orange, yellow craft paint
• Paint brushes
• Brown, black, pink, white paint pens or markers
• Paint pens or markers

How to Make a Lion Fork Painting Craft

This paper plate craft is super easy – your kids will have so much fun making the lion’s mane with forks and paint!

Step 1 – Paint the Lion Head Shape

Paint the center circle of the plate orange for the face of the lion as shown.

Add ears in the same color on top of the circle.

Step 2 – Add the Mane with the Fork

Let’s begin fork painting! Starting with the brown paint use a fork to paint lines from the face all the way out to the edge of the plate to create fur, let dry.

Repeat this process with the orange paint, then the yellow paint, drying in between layers.

Step 3 – Add the Details of the Face

Now use the paint pens or markers to outline the face and ears and create the eyes, nose, mouth, and whiskers.

Your lion is ready to roar!!! 

Lion Fork Painting Notes and Expert Tips

We chose to use paint pens for the face and ears (isn’t it so cute?), but you could use a paintbrush or markers if you prefer!

We made this project on a paper plate because the shape was perfect for the lion’s mane. You could totally make it on craft or construction paper!

If painting the lion’s head with a paintbrush and paints is too “risky,” you could use paint dobbers!

Lion Fork Painting FAQs

Got questions about fork painting? Check out these common questions along with their answers!

How does painting help a child’s development?

Sensory activities like painting help the body and brain integrate information and develop. It’s also a creative way to pass time, relax, and improve creativity and fine motor skills.

How does painting benefit children?

The benefits of painting for children reach far and wide and include: 

• fine motor and muscle control development
• developing hand-eye coordination
• building creativity
• building self esteem
• sensory development
• learning colors and shapes

I hope you and your little ones love this lion fork painting as much as we do! Happy painting!