We seem to spend the majority of our time outside during the summer months, swimming, blowing bubbles, riding bikes, and pointing out various birds, bunnies, and insects. Our favorite insect to observe is most definitely the ladybug. They’re small, beautiful, and harmless creatures, who will happily relax on your hand, before fluttering away on a new adventure. In honor of our favorite summertime insect, we decided to make some 3D Ladybug Crafts – Three Ways!
I’m not sure I’ve ever met a person who disliked ladybugs. I myself am not a huge bug fan, but I love ladybugs (and technically, they are not even bugs, they’re beetles)! Regardless, they are fascinating creatures. Did you know that there are roughly 400 different types of ladybugs in North America (roughly 4,300 different types worldwide)? Their bright color is known to warn birds of their unsavory taste. They smell with both their feet and antennae, and their spots fade as they age.
But enough with the fun facts about ladybugs…let’s get crafting!
3D Ladybugs On A Branch
These adorable three-dimensional ladybugs are super simple to create. I found the idea over on Crafty Morning (http://www.craftymorning.com/3d-paper-ladybug-craft-for-kids).
All you need for this project is some construction paper (red, black, green, and brown), a black Sharpie marker, a glue-stick, and some googly eyes. For the tree branch background, I simply cut a tree branch-shape out of brown construction paper and glued it to one sheet of green construction paper. Moving on to the actual ladybugs…to create each ladybug, cut out two red circles (I traced the rim of a drinking glass), and fold each red circle in half. Using your black marker, color several black dots on the inside and outside of each half-circle/wing. Cut a small half-circle out of black construction paper, for the ladybug’s head. Pick a spot on the tree branch for your ladybug to sit, and glue down the head, followed by each of the wings. Finally, using the black marker, draw on some antennae, and glue on the googly eyes!
Painted Rock Ladybugs
Jazz up some ordinary rocks with a little bit of paint, and place them in your flower garden for the summer, to add both a cute, and colorful, element! My little nugget had the best time transforming her rock into a ladybug (purple, of course) and I love how they look hiding among our beautiful columbines! I’m so glad I came across this brilliant idea on Crafts by Amanda (https://craftsbyamanda.com/ladybug-painted-rocks/).
The supplies that you will need to create your own painted rock ladybugs are: rocks (preferably in a smooth and round ladybug shape), acrylic paint (in the color of your choosing), black acrylic paint, white acrylic paint, and paintbrushes.
Start by painting your entire rock the main (body) color that you chose. Set aside to dry completely. Then take some black paint and carefully paint one end of the rock, to create the ladybug’s head. Next you will want to add your black dots. I ended up using the non-writing end of a pen to create the uniform dots on our ladybug’s bodies. Once again you will want to set the ladybug aside to dry completely. The last step is to add eyes to the head of the ladybug. Use your white paint (or another light color) and dot on two eyes (I used the end of the pen again). Then you will add two small black dots within the white paint to complete the eyes of the ladybug (you can use a toothpick, or small-tipped paintbrush). Set aside to dry, once again, and then transfer them to a nice spot in your garden!
3D Paper Ladybug
This cute, free-standing ladybug makes the perfect dining room table decoration for the summer! My little nugget loves looking at it (and talking about it) at mealtimes. I stumbled across this awesome craft over on Easy Peasy and Fun (http://www.easypeasyandfun.com/paper-ladybug-craft/).
The only required supplies are some red and black construction paper, a glue stick, and some googly eyes!
Start by cutting out a red circle (I traced a drinking glass). Next cut some red strips of paper (I cut the construction paper horizontally). I utilized a total of 8 strips. Using your glue stick, start adhering the red strips of paper to the red circle. Glue down one side of the paper strip, and then glue the other side down directly across the circle from the first. Glue your second strip of paper perpendicular to your first. Continue this pattern until your ladybug’s body has been completely filled in.
Next, you will want to cut a half-circle with some antennae, out of the black construction paper. While you’re cutting, go ahead and cut out several small black circles, as well. Glue on the ladybug’s head and spots. Then pop on two googly eyes, for the finishing touch!
And there you have it, three different 3D ladybug crafts!
I’ll just leave you with one more fascinating fact about ladybugs, that you can share with your little ones – when a ladybug flies, it flaps its wings approximately 85 times per second!
