How to Make Paper Fireflies

Lightning bugs are tiny, flying creatures that light up the summer night sky in many parts of the United States. With some basic art supplies and a little assistance, even the youngest artists can create replicas of these amazing glow-in-the-dark creatures.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Black construction paper
• Glow in-the-dark gel marker
• Glue stick
• Safety scissors

1. Cut a strip of black construction paper to make the firefly's body.
2. Paint a strip across the bottom edge of the paper with the glow-in-the-dark gel marker, covering about a quarter of the length of the paper. This will be the firefly's glowing abdomen.
3. Roll the paper into a tube and secure the long edge of the tube with glue. Allow the glue to dry.
4. Cut 2 firefly wings out of black construction paper, and paint a 1/2-inch strip along the the edges of the wings with the glow-in-the-dark gel marker.
5. Glue the edges of the wings to the bottom of the tube, matching the glowing abdomen to the glowing wings.
6. Use the glow-in-the-dark gel marker to paint the firefly's head.
7. Cut 6 thin strips from the black construction paper to create the firefly's legs. Glue the legs to the bottom side of the firefly's body. For a finishing touch, cut 2 tiny antennae out of black paper and attached them to the top of the head.

Tips & Warnings

• Make several paper fireflies and make a firefly mobile, or tack several to the ceiling.
• Older children may want to create eyes for the fireflies out of small scraps of colorful construction paper.