Easy Paper Plate Advent Wreath Craft for Kids

Looking for an easy Advent wreath craft for kids that’s perfect for Sunday school, children’s church, or a Christmas activity at home? This Paper Plate Advent Wreath uses just a few inexpensive supplies to create a fun craft to teach about the meaning of Advent!

Made with a green paper plate, popsicle stick candles, and adhesive felt flames, this simple Sunday school Christmas craft lets kids “light” one candle each week as they count down to Christmas. No real flames, melted wax, or complicated crafting required!

I love Christmas crafts that are more than just cute decorations, and this one is especially meaningful. Kids can learn about hope, peace, joy, and love while creating something they can actually use throughout the Advent season. It’s easy to get lost in the hustle of Christmas and not take the time to fully appreciate and be present in the Advent season. I’ve found that if I give my kids ownership of something (i.e. “lighting” the candles on their own advent wreath) they’re so much more likely to help ME remember the season as well.

Whether you’re planning a preschool Sunday school lesson or starting a new Advent tradition with your own kids, this easy DIY Advent wreath is a fun, fast, and budget friendly option.

What Is an Advent Wreath?

An Advent wreath is a decoration used during the four weeks leading up to Christmas. It typically features four candles arranged in a circle, with one additional candle being lit each Sunday of Advent.

The circular shape represents God’s everlasting love, while the candles symbolize the growing light and anticipation as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Traditional Advent wreaths often include three purple candles and one pink candle. A popular way to explain their meaning to kids is:

• Week 1 – Hope (Purple): Remembering God’s promise to send Jesus.
• Week 2 – Peace (Purple): Celebrating the peace Jesus brings.
• Week 3 – Joy (Pink): Rejoicing because Christmas is getting closer!
• Week 4 – Love (Purple): Remembering God’s love for the world.

The exact names and symbolism of the candles vary between Christian traditions, but the overall purpose is the same: preparing our hearts for Christmas.

For young children, this simple Advent wreath craft makes an otherwise abstract tradition something they can see, touch, and participate in.

Why This Advent Craft Is Perfect for Kids and Sunday School

Real Advent wreaths are beautiful, but four open flames and kiddos (at least mine) aren’t exactly the best combination. This paper plate version gives kids their own Advent wreath without the fire!

It’s also a great Sunday school Christmas craft because it’s:

• Inexpensive: Made with basic supplies you may already have.
• Easy to prepare: You can cut the paper plates and felt flames before class if needed without a ton of prep time.
• Hands on: Kids can add a flame each Sunday leading up to Christmas.
• Meaningful: It helps teach the Christian themes of hope, peace, joy, and love.
• Great for take home activities: Children can continue using their wreaths with their families throughout December.

And unlike some Christmas crafts that require an entire afternoon and every supply in your craft closet, this one is pretty straightforward!

Supplies for a Paper Plate Advent Wreath

You only need a handful of materials for this easy preschool Advent craft.

Optional decorations: Green construction paper, tissue paper, or markers to decorate the wreath.

If you don’t have green paper plates, simply paint a white one green and let it dry before starting.

How to Make a Paper Plate Advent Wreath

This easy Advent wreath craft comes together in just a few steps. Younger children can help decorate and assemble their wreaths, but adults should handle the cutting.

Step 1: Cut Out the Paper Plate Center

Carefully cut out the middle of your green paper plate, leaving the outer ring intact. This creates the circular wreath shape. If you’re using a white plate, paint it green first and allow it to dry completely. If you don’t want to worry about cutting plates, feel free to just glue a green circle of construction paper to the center – it still gives the same wreath type vibes, without the extra step.

For Sunday school classrooms, this step is easy enough for older kids to do, but if you have a mixed age room I recommend preparing the plates ahead of time so kids can jump right into the fun part!

Step 2: Prepare the Popsicle Stick Candles

Using a scissors, cut the popsicle sticks in half. You’ll need three purple sticks and one pink stick, or paint your own if you don’t have pre-colored craft sticks.

Step 3: Attach the Candles

Arrange your four popsicle sticks evenly around the paper plate ring.

Carefully cut four small slits in the plate, just large enough to slide the popsicle sticks through. I use an exact-o knife for this and it goes fast!

Insert the sticks so they stand upright like candles. If needed, add a little tape underneath the plate to keep them secure. Remember to position the pink candle third in your Advent sequence!

Step 4: Make the Felt Flames

Cut four small flame shapes from yellow adhesive felt. Simple teardrop shapes work perfectly, and they don’t need to be identical. If kids are cutting them themselves, triangle shapes work great as flames too!

Keep the flames separate until you’re ready to begin Advent.

If you’re making these for a Sunday school class, you can prepare the flames ahead of time and send them home in a small envelope or ziploc with each child’s wreath.

Step 5: Light Your Advent Wreath!

On the first Sunday of Advent, let your child attach one yellow felt flame to the first candle.

Each following Sunday, add another flame until all four candles are “lit”!

Tip: Standard adhesive felt may not peel off cleanly once attached. If you want to reuse your wreath next year, attach the flames with removable adhesive dots or hook-and-loop fasteners instead.

How to Use This Craft to Teach Kids About Advent

For toddlers and preschoolers, waiting four weeks for Christmas is basically an eternity. Adding one little flame each Sunday gives them something they can actually understand!

Each week, gather around your wreath, add a felt flame, and talk briefly about what that candle represents.

Here’s a simple way to explain each week’s theme:

Week 1: Hope

“God promised to send Jesus, and He kept His promise. We have hope because we can trust God.”

Bible verse: Isaiah 9:6

Week 2: Peace

“Jesus brings us peace. We can share His peace by being kind and helping others.”

Bible verse: Luke 2:14

Week 3: Joy

“Christmas is almost here! We have joy because we get to celebrate Jesus’ birth.”

Bible verse: Luke 2:10–11

Week 4: Love

“God loves us so much that He sent Jesus. We can show His love by caring for other people.”

Bible verse: John 3:16

You don’t need an elaborate lesson or a long devotional. A quick conversation, short prayer, or Christmas Bible story is plenty.

And if you forget to add a flame on Sunday? Just do it Monday. Christmas traditions should be meaningful, not another thing on your already overflowing holiday to-do list.

Using This Advent Wreath for Sunday School

If you’re planning Sunday school Advent activities or a children’s church Christmas lesson, this craft is easy to adapt for a group.

Depending on how much time you have, feel free to prepare the paper plate rings, candle slots, and felt flames before class. Younger children can then focus on decorating and assembling their wreaths.

Start by explaining what Advent means and showing the four candles. As children work, talk about how each candle represents a Sunday leading up to Christmas.

Once everyone finishes, practice adding a felt flame to demonstrate how the wreath works. If the felt has permanent adhesive, use a separate demonstration wreath so children can save their own flames.

Make it a take-home activity: Send each child home with their wreath, four felt flames, and a simple explanation of what each candle represents.

This gives families an easy way to continue the Sunday school lesson at home throughout December.

It’s also a great option for preschool classrooms, homeschool Christmas activities, and other Christian children’s ministry programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is this Advent wreath craft best for?

This craft works especially well for ages preschoolers and up, but also older toddlers with adult assistance. Adults should handle cutting the paper plate and making the candle slots, while kids can help decorate and add the felt flames.

Is this a good Sunday school Christmas craft?

Yes! It’s inexpensive, easy to prepare for a group, and connects directly to teaching children about Advent. The finished wreath also makes a meaningful take-home activity.

Can I use paper instead of adhesive felt?

Absolutely! Cut yellow construction paper into flame shapes and attach them with tape or removable adhesive dots.

More Easy Christmas Crafts for Kids

Looking for more inexpensive Christmas activities to make with little ones?

A Simple Christmas Craft With a Meaningful Purpose

There are SO many Christmas crafts for kids, and I love a good excuse to break out the construction paper and glue. But sometimes it’s nice to make something that serves a purpose beyond decorating the refrigerator.

This Paper Plate Advent Wreath is one of those crafts. It’s simple, inexpensive, and easy enough for little kids to participate in, but it also creates an opportunity to slow down during a busy season and talk about the meaning of Christmas.

Whether you’re making this at home or planning a Sunday school Christmas craft, I hope it becomes a little tradition your kids look forward to each Advent season!