Summer is finally here, which means your kids will be home all day looking for something to do! But just because it’s summer, doesn’t mean they can’t have a little fun practicing their math skills. This cute watermelon paper plate craft is more than just an art project your kids can enjoy making for a few minutes. After they’re finished creating this adorable paper plate watermelon, they can use it to practice a variety of different math concepts.

A paper plate colored to look like a watermelon with a green rim and red inside, with watermelon seeds on the plate.

This simple paper plate watermelon is very easy to make and uses items you may already have at home. To put this craft together and use it to practice math, you’ll need a plain white paper plate, red and green crayons, a ruler, pencil, scissors, and a package of watermelon seeds.

Start by having your child color the inside of the paper plate red and the outer rim of the plate green. Then, use a ruler to mark off eight equal sections on the plate and cut out each section. Now, if you want this to be a simple craft, just glue a few watermelon seeds on each slice and you’re finished. But, if you’re looking for something a little more educational, keep reading for some easy math practice ideas you can do with your paper plate watermelon.

Paper Plate Watermelon Fractions

The most obvious math concept to practice with this craft is fractions. Each slice of the watermelon is 1/8^th of the whole. Group two slices together to create quarters or group four slices together to create a half. To take the concept even further, place an equal number of seeds on each slice to see fractions of a number in action. For example, place three seeds on each slice to help visualize the value of a fraction of 24 (1/8^th of 24 equals 3, ½ of 24 equals 12, etc.).

Paper plate colored with a green edge and red inside.

Watermelon Multiplication

Similar to fraction practice, your watermelon slices can also be used to practice multiplication. To use this paper plate watermelon for multiplication practice, place an equal number of seeds on each slice, then ask your child to find the value of a total number of slices. For example, place three seeds on each slice then ask your child to find the number of seeds on four slices.

Watermelon Slice Addition

Another simple way to practice math with your paper plate watermelon is to use the slices as addition problems. This concept is a little less complicated than fraction and multiplication practice, making it great for younger kids who are still learning about math. To practice addition with your watermelon slices, place a different number of seeds on two slices and ask your child to add the slices together to find the answer.

Watermelon Slice Patterns

And if you have a preschooler at home who isn’t familiar with more advanced math concepts, you can still have fun with your paper plate watermelon! The slices and seeds can easily be used to practice patterns – an easy way to introduce math concepts to your younger learners. Simply lay out a selection of watermelon slices with a pattern of seeds on each slice, then ask your student to copy the pattern. You could create a design (like a triangle with three seeds) with the seeds or simply create a pattern with the number of seeds on each slice.

See how many amazing math options you have with just one simple craft? Your kids are sure to have a blast practicing math this summer when you create this paper plate watermelon craft together!

Paper plate colored with a green edge and red inside.

Watermelon Paper Plate Craft

Makes 1 Craft

Watermelon Paper Plate Craft

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Estimated Cost: 1.00

This cute watermelon paper plate craft is more than just an art project your kids can enjoy making for a few minutes. After they’re finished creating this adorable paper plate watermelon, they can use it to practice a variety of different math concepts.