How to Make a Ladybug for Kids

Make a paper plate ladybug for kids.

As a teacher or parent, you can plan a ladybug craft activity to help inform your children about these delightful insects. Both the attractiveness and seemingly friendly demeanor of the ladybug contribute to its popularity among children. Ladybugs are also beneficial to gardeners and farmers because they eat pests that damage crops. For a budget-friendly project, you can make a model ladybug out of paper plates and a few small craft materials. This is a simple but fun activity that adults and children can create together at home, in school, at parties or at a camp.

Things You'll Need

• Paper plate
• Red and black paint
• Paintbrush
• Craft felt or foam (optional)
• Glue
• 2 Googly eyes
• 6 Black pipe cleaners
• Tape

Instructions

1. Paint the bottom of the plate. Be sure to use a paper plate rather than a plastic one because the paint will dry more quickly and evenly on the former. Paint nearly the entire plate red, leaving a 2-inch-wide strip on one side. This small section is the head, which you will paint black. Draw a black line down the center of the plate to distinguish two separate wing sections. You may also paint polka dots on the wings with the black paint or use other materials as described in the next step.

2. Decorate the ladybug's wings with black polka dots. Cut small circles from felt or craft foam and glue them onto the plate or use black glitter paint to create sparkly polka dots.

3. Glue the two googly eyes onto the black portion of the plate to complete the ladybug's head.

4. Attach the legs. Use tape to attach the six pipe cleaners onto the bottom of the ladybug, or the true front of the plate. Arrange three pipe cleaners evenly spaced apart on each side of the plate. Place them so that they extend about two inches from the edge of the plate.

5. Bend the end of each pipe cleaner forward so that it looks like an actual ladybug's leg. Pinch each pipe cleaner so that it leaves a crease. About 3/4-inch of the leg should face forward at a right angle.

Tips & Warnings

• If you prefer, substitute other shapes for the polka dots. Draw black hearts or allow the children to create black thumbprints with finger paint.

References

• All Kids Network: Paper Plate Ladybug Craft
• Kiboomu; Paper Plate Ladybug for Spring; March 2011

Resources

• Kidz Craftz: Children's Questions About Ladybugs