Shape Monster Flipbook

Create a fun monster flipbook that helps kids explore shapes and colors in an engaging way. This hands-on project lets you mix and match monster parts to make endless silly monsters, turning learning into playtime.

20-45 minutes Ages 3-10 2 steps may need help

About This Project

A 20–45 minutes craft for ages 3–10, using supplies you likely already have — Hole Punches, Scissors, and Markers.

GlueStick supports kids from setup to cleanup. After they choose a project, we guide them through gathering the supplies, making it, and cleaning up when they're done. We'll even help them share it safely with trusted family and friends.

Ad-free and kid-safe library — designed by a mom who wants kids to explore and create independently.

This project is perfect for:

learning shapes and colors
early learning activities
fine motor skill practice
indoor creative play
Halloween crafts

Step 1: Make the Pages

To make the pages for your flipbook, trim about 1 inch off each side of a paper plate. Paper plates are strong and will make your book last longer than regular paper. Next, cut off a 1-2 inch section from the bottom of the plate. Use this first trimmed plate as a guide to trim the other 7 plates so they all look the same.

Step 2: Prepare the Binding

SHARP! Grown-up required

Use a hole punch to make 4 holes along the side of one of your trimmed paper plates. This side will be the "spine" of your flipbook. Make sure to leave a space in the middle so that the pages can be cut in half later. Once you have punched holes in the first plate, use it as a guide to punch holes in all the other plates.

Step 3: Turn It Into a Flipbook

Take one of the plates and cut it across the middle, from one side to the other. This will let you flip the top and bottom parts of the pages separately to make different monster combinations. Use this cut plate as a guide to cut across the middle of 5 more plates. Remember, do not cut the very first plate (your cover) and the very last plate (your back cover).

Step 4: Cut Out the Shapes

SHARP! Grown-up required

Cut different shapes out of your colorful construction paper scraps. These shapes will be the bodies of your monsters. Make sure the shapes are small enough to fit on half of a paper plate, about 1 1/2 to 2 inches big. Try to make many different colors and shapes. If you are still learning how to use scissors, ask an adult to cut out the shapes for you. You can still help by snipping little pieces for monster hair or fur with an adult watching.

Step 5: Start Learning About Shapes

Glue the shapes onto the pages to create your "monsters." Put one shape on the top half of a page and another shape on the bottom half.

Step 6: Add Monster Faces and Arms

Use markers to draw faces, arms, legs, or other fun details on your monsters. If you have googly eyes, you can glue those on too!

Step 7: Put the Flipbook Together

Decorate the front cover of your flipbook however you like. Take your pipe cleaners and cut each one into three smaller pieces. Now, thread one piece of pipe cleaner through a set of holes on your pages and twist the ends together to make a circle. Do this for each set of holes to bind all your pages together. Now you have a monster flipbook!

Shape Monster Flipbook

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