Paper plate lion mane

Sponsored by Disney Junior 

I know I’m not alone when I say that ‘The Lion King’ Disney movie would have to be one of my absolute favourites. I adore the characters, storyline and please don’t get me started on the music. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it.

Due to its overwhelming success, The Lion King returns, but as a new television series called ‘The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar’. It’s also based on the original movie and featuring all our familiar and favourite characters.

In the series, Kion, son of Simba and Nala, and his many animal friends work together using their own unique talents to problem solve and maintain balance within The Circle of Life.

Parents and children will fall in love once again, as Disney have created something very special with this televisions series. Each episode is full of heart warming and inspirational messages of friendship, teamwork and determination. 

Possum (aged 4 years) is very much looking forward to the television series starting because she’d tell you that a lion is her “favouritest” animal. That said, we couldn’t resist making a simple lion mane using a paper plate. I know it’s hard to believe, but Possum really did most of it herself.

Recommended age: 3 years +
(Active supervision is required on all my activities)

To make this simple (and awesome) lion mane you will need –

• Paper plate x 1
• Brushes
• Large piece of white paper
• Paint (yellow, orange and brown)
• Coloured paper (yellow, orange and brown)
• Sticky tape
• Elastic (optional)

Begin by having your child paint their hand and make a collection of handprints onto the white piece of paper. This is a wonderful way for a child to develop their sensory awareness as they can feel the cool temperature of the paint and scratchy bristles of the brush.

Despite being limited to their choice in colours, it’s always wonderfully surprising how creative children can be.

Possum soon started making wonderful colour combinations and learning that the most successful handprints needed lots of paint.

I’m sure you’ll agree, these handprints are simply adorable and can be a great painting activity for children on its own.

While the handprints were drying I had Possum finish off the left over paint and decorate around the edge of some paper plates. You only need to paint one paper plate for a lion mane, we got excited and painted two.

While the handprints and paper plates were drying I asked Possum to tear strips of coloured paper. She did this with ease and it was fantastic for her fine motor skills.

Next task was to stick the paper strips down, using sticky tape, around the outside of the paper plate. This was a great opportunity for Possum to have a go at ordering and sticking the paper strips down in a coloured pattern.

As the last step, Possum and I used scissors to cut out the dried handprints and stick them to the paper plate frame. I think you’d agree, the final result is spectacular and very much like something you’d see in The Lion King or the upcoming television series, ‘The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar’.