Ladybug Crafts for Kids

Do you have a young child like mine who loves ladybugs? Create easy and adorable ladybug crafts and edible ladybugs, read these delightful ladybug books, watch the short ladybug video clips, and assemble ladybug lapbooks and worksheets during this fun hands-on preschool lesson on ladybugs. I collected these ideas to use as a two hour "play date" with my young children and some of their friends. Use these fun ideas with your birthday party, class, family, preschool, or homeschool co-op group!

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This is perfect for toddlers!

Have children paste the red construction paper to the bottom of the paper plate. Glue the black circle head to other side of the paper plate so that it only sticks out part way. Glue the eyes and antennae to the head. Glue the legs to the underside of the paper plate, and glue the dots over the red construction paper.

YOU WILL NEED PER CHILD: a piece of red construction paper in a circle slightly larger than a paper plate, a paper plate, glue, 6 black paper dots, 6 black paper legs, 2 black paper antennae, 1 small black circle for the head, & 2 googly eyes

Have children the bottom of one paper plate black and one red (or have them paste black & red construction paper to the bottoms of the plates if you don't want to wait for paint to dry). Paint black dots over the red paper plate. Glue the black circle head to other side of the paper plate so that it only sticks out part way. Glue the eyes to the head. Use a hole punch to punch 2 holes in head and allow children to attach the pipe cleaner antennae to the head through the holes. Glue the legs to the underside of the paper plate. Cut the red paper plate in half and a punch a hole through the top of each one on the part that you cut. Overlap the 2 half circles and push the brad through the holes in the red paper plate wings and the black paper plate body.

YOU WILL NEED PER CHILD: red and black paint, a paintbrush, 2 paper plates, glue, 1 brad, scissors, 6 black paper legs, 2 black paper or pipe cleaner antennae, 1 small black circle for the head, & 2 googly eyes

Have children paint 3/4 of the rock red (or any other color) and then paint 1/4 of the rock black. Paint a black line down the middle of the colored part of the rock to make it look like 2 wings. Paint small black dots over the red paint. Glue 2 googly eyes to the black head. If desired, spray acrylic matte sealer spray over the dried ladybug per rock to keep the paint from chipping.

YOU WILL NEED PER LADYBUG: a smooth oval or round rock, red & black acrylic paint, a paintbrush, 2 googly eyes, & white craft glue

Strawberries, Grapes, & Chocolate Chips

Use a toothpick to attach the grape to the top of the strawberry. Press the miniature chocolate chips into the strawberry with the tips facing into the strawberry. If they do not stay, first poke a small hole with a toothpick into the strawberry. If doing this activity with young children, use regular sized chocolate chips. If desired, use a knife to slice a line on one side of the strawberry to make it appear like the separation between wings.

YOU WILL NEED PER LADYBUG: half a red or purple grape or a whole blueberry, a strawberry with stem removed, 4-6 miniature chocolate chips, & a toothpick

Cut 1 round cracker in half and use a toothpick to dot the holes with the jelly. Spread the cream cheese over the other cracker. Attach the 2 cut halves to jut out as wings and place the 2 pieces of licorice toward the front to look like antennae.

YOU WILL NEED PER LADYBUG: 2 round crackers, 1 tsp. cream cheese (softened), 1/4 tsp. strawberry jelly, 1/4 piece of black shoestring licorice (cut in half)

Lay the 2 apple quarters with the red side facing up to appear as wings. Place the grape, cherry, or blueberry where the 2 wings meet to appear as the head. Dip each raisin or chocolate chip in peanut butter or frosting and then lay them on the apple to appear as spots. If desired add 2 small pieces of licorice to appear as antennae and 6 small pieces to appear as legs.

YOU WILL NEED PER LADYBUG: 2 quarters of a red apple, raisins or chocolate chips, a purple grape or a cherry or a blueberry, peanut butter or chocolate frosting, & 2 small pieces of black shoestring licorice (optional)

Click on the below links to find free lapbooks and worksheets:

Free Lapbook Pages Based on The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle

Ladybug Links to Worksheets and Lessons

Ladybug Printables & Teaching Ideas

Preschool Ladybug Lesson with Printables

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