If you share your home with a feline friend, or simply adore them from afar, you know that cats are full of personality. But among all the kitties of the world, black cats hold a special, mysterious place in our hearts. Whether you are gearing up for Halloween, celebrating International Cat Day, or marking National Black Cat Appreciation Day, there is never a bad time to get creative with some adorable black cat crafts!
For centuries, these sleek, dark-furred animals have been misunderstood. In the Middle Ages, black cats were unfairly linked to black magic, often thought to be witches in disguise roaming the night. Because of their dark fur—similar to ravens and crows—superstition labeled them as omens of bad luck.
However, history tells a different story too! Long before medieval superstitions took hold, ancient Egyptians worshipped black cats. They believed these animals resembled Bastet, the powerful cat-headed goddess who protected the home, ensured fertility, and warded off disease. Even today, in places like England, Scotland, and Japan, a black cat appearing on your porch is considered a sign of coming prosperity and good fortune.
So, which team are you on? Are they spooky or lucky? Here at our craft corner, we believe they are simply adorable! Let’s celebrate these beautiful creatures with 15 easy, fun, and engaging crafts for kids.
Mark Your Calendars: When to Celebrate Our Feline Friends
Before we dive into the glue and glitter, it is important to know why we are celebrating. There are several dates dedicated to raising awareness for cat rescue and appreciation.
1. Black Cat Appreciation Day (August 17)
This specific holiday has a touching backstory. It was created by Wayne H. Morris in the United States. Wayne dedicated his life to animal rescue and established this day in honor of his late sister, June, and her beloved black cat, Sinbad. Sadly, June passed away at a young age, and Wayne wanted a way to honor her memory and dispel the myths that make black cats harder to adopt.
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2. International Cat Day (August 8)
Founded by the International Fund for Animal Welfare in 2002, this global celebration is all about raising awareness for cats and learning about ways to protect them. It is a day to celebrate the bond between humans and their pets.
3. National Cat Day (October 29)
In the U.S., Colleen Paige created this day to highlight the sheer number of cats that need rescuing each year. It serves as a reminder to “Adopt, Don’t Shop.”
4. Cat Day in Japan (February 22)
Japan has one of the highest rates of cat ownership in the world. Since 1987, they have celebrated Cat Day on February 22. Why? because the date 2-22 (Ni-Ni-Ni) sounds like “Nyan Nyan Nyan”—the sound a cat makes in Japanese!
15 Adorable Black Cat Crafts for Kids
Now that you know the history, it’s time to get crafting. These projects range from simple paper crafts for toddlers to more detailed art projects for older kids.
1. Fork Painted Black Cat
Perfect for texture lovers! Have you ever painted with a plastic fork? It creates a scratchy, furry texture that is perfect for a cat’s coat.
- Supplies: Black acrylic paint, plastic fork, construction paper (orange or purple background), googly eyes, pink cardstock.
- Instructions: Dip the back of the fork tines into black paint. Press and drag the fork outwards in a circular shape on the paper to create a fuzzy cat face. Add two triangles for ears. Once dry, glue on the googly eyes and a cute pink nose.
2. The Classic Paper Plate Cat
A preschool staple.
- Supplies: Paper plate, black paint, black pipe cleaners, scissors, glue.
- Instructions: Paint a paper plate entirely black. While it dries, cut two large triangles from black paper for ears. Glue them to the top. Punch holes near the center and thread black pipe cleaners through for whiskers. Draw a mouth with a white paint marker or chalk marker.
3. Toilet Paper Roll Kitties
Recycling at its cutest.
- Supplies: Empty toilet paper roll, black paint, black paper.
- Instructions: Paint the tube black. Fold the top center of the tube inward to create two pointy “ears” on the sides (no cutting required!). Cut a long curved tail from black paper and glue it to the back. These stand up perfectly on a desk.
4. Spooky Silhouette Window Art
Great for Halloween decor.
- Supplies: Black cardstock, contact paper (sticky back plastic), colored tissue paper.
- Instructions: Cut the outline of a cat out of the center of a piece of black cardstock (leaving a frame). Place the frame onto the sticky side of the contact paper. Let kids stick orange and purple tissue paper inside the cat shape. Seal with another layer of contact paper and tape to the window for a stained-glass effect.
5. Handprint Black Cat
A keepsake craft.
- Supplies: Black washable paint, white paper.
- Instructions: Paint the child’s palm and four fingers black (leave the thumb clean or tuck it in). Press the hand onto the paper. The palm is the body, the fingers are the legs, and the thumb (if used) is the tail. Paint a circle for the head on top of the palm print.
6. Origami Black Cat Face
For older kids improving fine motor skills.
- Supplies: Square black origami paper.
- Instructions: Fold the paper diagonally to make a triangle. Fold the bottom corners up towards the top point to make a diamond, then fold them halfway back down to create ears. Flip it over and draw a face with a white gel pen.
7. Paper Bag Cat Puppet
For imaginative play.
- Supplies: Black paper lunch bag (or paint a brown one), construction paper.
- Instructions: The flap of the bag is the cat’s face. Glue on ears, eyes, and whiskers. The long part of the bag is the body—add a white oval for the tummy. Kids can put their hand inside to make the cat talk.
8. Rock Painting Cats
Nature-inspired art.
- Supplies: Smooth round stones, acrylic paint, varnish.
- Instructions: Wash and dry the rocks. Paint them solid black. Use green paint to make two almond-shaped eyes (cats often have green or yellow eyes). Add whiskers with a fine brush. These make great paperweights.
9. 3D Construction Paper Bobblehead
A fun, bouncy craft.
- Supplies: Black paper strips.
- Instructions: Create two “accordion folds” by weaving two strips of black paper over each other. This creates a springy neck. Attach a paper head to one end and a body to the other. The head will bobble when you touch it!
10. Felt Corner Bookmark
Encourage reading.
- Supplies: Black felt, fabric glue.
- Instructions: Cut a square of felt and a smaller triangle to create a pocket that fits over the corner of a book page. Decorate the triangle to look like a black cat face with pointy ears sticking off the edge.
11. Pinecone Black Cat
A rustic autumn craft.
- Supplies: Pinecone, black spray paint (adults only) or acrylics, pom-pom.
- Instructions: Paint the pinecone black. Glue a black pom-pom on top for the head. Use felt scraps for the ears and tail. The texture of the pinecone looks like fluffy fur.
12. Sock Cat Plushie
Upcycle those lonely socks.
- Supplies: One black sock, stuffing (or rice), rubber bands, ribbon.
- Instructions: Fill the toe of the sock with stuffing to make the head. Tie it off with a rubber band. Fill the rest for the body. Tie off again. Cut the ankle part of the sock into two strips to make a tail or legs. Tie a bright orange ribbon around the neck to hide the rubber band.
13. Egg Carton Cat Mask
Dress-up fun.
- Supplies: Egg carton, elastic string, paint.
- Instructions: Cut out two cups from an egg carton (keeping them connected) and the nose section in the middle. Paint it black. Poke holes on the sides for the string. This makes a mask that covers just the eyes and nose.
14. Paper Plate Moon & Cat
A scenic art piece.
- Supplies: Paper plate, yellow paint, black paper.
- Instructions: Paint the paper plate yellow (the moon). Cut a silhouette of a cat sitting on a fence from black paper. Glue the silhouette onto the bottom of the yellow moon.
15. Yarn Wrapped Mummy Cat
A Halloween twist.
- Supplies: Cardboard cat cutout, white yarn, googly eyes.
- Instructions: Cut a cat shape out of cardboard. Tape one end of the white yarn to the back. Let the child wrap the yarn around and around the cat until it looks like a mummy! Peek two eyes out from under the yarn bandages.
Conclusion: Why We Should Celebrate Black Cats
Crafting is about more than just glue and paper; it is about storytelling and education. By making these 15 Black Cat Crafts, you have the opportunity to teach your children that black cats are not scary villains. They are historically significant animals that have been symbols of protection and luck for thousands of years.
Black cats often stay in animal shelters longer than other cats because of old superstitions and the fact that they don’t photograph as easily for adoption profiles. By celebrating Black Cat Appreciation Day and International Cat Day, we help change that narrative.
So, grab your paintbrush, find a plastic fork, and make a masterpiece today. Who knows? You might just bring a little extra “good luck” into your home!
