DIY Ladybug Craft Project for Toddlers

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My toddler will be the first person in the house to run screaming from a “buzzing bee” or ask daddy to get rid of a”crawly spider.” To say she isn’t a fan of insects may be an understatement.

So when it came time to create a science project involving insects, our options at first seemed pretty limited. She was NOT interested in collecting dead bugs to fossilize them with honey like mommy wanted. Nor did she want to look at pictures or create habitats for crawling insects.

I had a problem on my hands, because while it’s totally okay to NOT like bugs, I didn’t want her wishing them all dead either. It’s important for kids to respect the natural environment around them.

Whether they are bug lovers or not, it’s important that kids learn to respect nature — including bugs of all kinds — starting at an early age. When they discover the beauty of a butterfly, or the role ants play in the world or even how termites help people, kids can learn to appreciate bugs — and not fear them.

We spent some time exploring the internet and discovered some really cool facts about insects like Bee’s, Crickets and Butterflies. The latter of which finally piqued my daughter’s interest. She had been to visit our local Butterfly Garden and admired the delicate nature and beauty of butterflies.

Unfortunately, they’re few and far between during fall in Michigan. Fortunately, we rediscovered an insect nearly as cute, Coccinellidae. But perhaps you know them by the more common name, Ladybug.

DIY Ladybug Craft Project for Toddlers

Fun Fact: Nearly all Ladybugs (beetles) feed on aphids and other soft-bodied insects. This helps protect crops and plants so you can see why gardeners love them! A very hungry adult ladybug can devour 50 aphids per day.

While we created this super fun DIY Ladybug Craft Project we took the time to talk about the way insects, bugs, and beetles (ladybugs aren’t insect, they’re beetles) make our environment better.

Did You Know: Ladybugs are red to warn predators! It says “Stay away, I’m toxic!”

DIY Ladybug Craft Project for Toddlers

Easy Paper Plate Ladybug Craft for Toddlers

Materials:

  • 2 Paper Plates
  • 3 Black Pipe Cleaners
  • 1 Piece Red Construction Paper
  • 1 Piece of Black Construction Paper
  • 2 Round Head Fasteners
  • Red Paint (Acrylic or Kids Finger Paint)
  • Paint Brush
  • Black Marker
  • Safety Scissors
  • Scissors for Adults
  • A cylinder about 1.5 inches in diameter (for tracing)

Begin by painting the back of one of the paper plates red. While it dries, trace the inside (where you would place food) of the second paper plate onto your piece of red construction paper.

DIY Ladybug Craft Project for Toddlers 1

DIY Ladybug Craft Project for Toddlers

Once you have the circle cut out fold it in half and cut, forming two halves of the shell. Secure the two halves onto the red plate with the fasteners. You may need to prepoke the holes with your scissors to get the fasteners through. This will create the Elytra (commonly, but incorrectly, called the wings of a ladybug).

Once they’re fastened use your cylinder object to trace and cut out four circles from the black paper. Glue them to the ladybugs wings.

DIY Ladybug Craft Project for Toddlers

Finally cut one of the pipe cleaners into the 3 equal portions. Repeat with the following pipe cleaners. You should have 9 pieces total. 6 for legs, 2 for antennae and 1 to discard.

DIY Ladybug Craft Project for Toddlers

Apply the pipe cleaners to the underside of your paper plate using crafting glue.

Finally, write fun facts about Ladybugs under the Elytra.

DIY Ladybug Craft Project for Toddlers

DIY Ladybug Craft Project for Toddlers

8 thoughts on “DIY Ladybug Craft Project for Toddlers”

  1. What a creative project for the kiddos. I think I have all the items needed except the fasteners. Inexpensive to gather all the necessary items–I’ll try it!

    Reply
  2. Super cute tutorial! My daughter loves lady bugs and this one is super easy to do. We’ve used Orkin before as well.
    Kas

    Reply

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