Easy & Fun Craft ! Make Ladybug Rocks

by: Abigail Beal

With summer coming many of us see ladybugs everywhere. Why not create some special ladybugs you can keep on the porch or even inside in some special places?

This is a fun craft that kids can do. They may need some help with putting the tape on to evenly paint a straight line, and you also may want to handle the permanent marker (for putting dots onto the ladybug) – but otherwise should be able to negotiate the project just fine on their own.

This craft does involve painting parts of the ladybugs and then leaving it overnight (or for at least four hours) to dry. This is very important to make sure the paint sets. This is the perfect craft for a weekend project to do with children – by the end of the weekend the bugs are done. Just know going into it that this is not an instant project so children won’t be disappointed.

Materials You Will Use:

Rocks that can fit into the palm of your hand. Select oval or rounded rocks. Can use larger rocks if you wish to.

Red and black tempura paints

Paintbrushes with assorted widths – medium to fine sized points

A black permanent marker

Masking tape

Scissors

Optional: gold or silver metallic paint pen (these are often toxic and are not child safe, if using with a small child be sure they do not put this in their mouths!)article continued below

1. Clean your rocks with warm soapy water and dish detergent. Let rocks dry.

2. Paint rocks red and allow them to dry. Drying may take four hours, or they may need to dry overnight. It is very important to let rocks dry completely before going onto the next step.

3. Take a piece of masking tape the width of your rock. We will now paint the ladybug’s head on. Place the masking tape on about 1/3 of the way onto the rock, creating a head. Now use your black paint and paint a head for the ladybug. Keep the tape on while the black paint is drying. *** When placing tape onto your ladybug, you only need to press the side that you will be painting onto the ladybug, so do not press the entire piece of tape down. Only press the side that will painted down.

By using the masking tape – you are creating very clean and even lines. Your ladybugs will have a very tidy look to them.

4. Next we will create the black stripe down the ladybugs back. Take two pieces of masking tape and put them on the ladybug’s back, allowing for a thin stripe of red between them. Depending on how large your rock is, this could be 1/8th of an inch or even 1/4 of an inch. Paint this stripe black and allow the tape to remain on until dry.

5. Now it is time to draw dots on the ladybug’s back. You can use paint or even the permanent marker. It is your choice. Most ladybugs have many dots, but for space’s sake you will probably want to put three or four spots on each side of the ladybug’s back. Once this is dry you are done!

6. If you have several children making ladybugs consider writing their name in metallic paint pen along the side of the ladybug’s body. Your bugs are ready for summer!

About The Author

Abigail Beal is the author of two zines Creative Crafts Teacher – for crafts teachers and Gift Wrap Goddess Wraps – all about gift wrap. To subscribe:

creativecraftsteachers@yahoo.com




Would you like some more ideas for fun crafts for preschool kids? Sign up below for my free monthly ezine PRESCHOOL SPARKS:

Enter your E-mail Address
Enter your First Name (optional)
Then

Don't worry — your e-mail address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you Preschool Sparks.

Want some more ideas for fun theme related monthly crafts for preschool kids? Sign up for my free monthly ezine Preschool Sparks.

Enter your E-mail Address
Enter your First Name (optional)
Then

Don't worry — your e-mail address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you Preschool Sparks.

 

Hospitality Network

Site Build It!

 

Creative Playdough Ideas for Kids is a 32 page e-book that is downloadable in PDF format, and provides simple, step by step instructions for a variety of creations with full color photos throughout. Playdough creations include cat, turtle, lion, snail, pig, snowman, snake, two rose methods, daisy, daffodil, ladybug, faces, cup and saucer, a heart of flowers, fruit and butterfly.

Click here for more details:

 

 

Wow! LITTLE KIDS CRAFTS FOR ALL SEASONS

Whether you are a Pre-School Teacher, Day Home provider or a busy Mom with little kids trying to find some inside activities on a cold/rainy day, here is a great resource for many more craft ideas for little kids. It is jam packed (200pages) full of great age-appropriate crafts. As a thank you for buying the book Chris Yates (the author) gives you the second book free. You can download this ebook or get the printed version.It's called Little Kid Crafts For All Seasons



 

ABC Fun & 1-2-3

ABC Fun & 1-2-3 is a preschool programme that gives you alphabet-based activities each week, alphabet crafts, alphabetized nursery rhymes, number and counting activities, as well as a list of recommended, quality children's stories to read aloud together as you and your children adventure through the alphabet, one letter per week. All the hard work and planning is done for you - for less than $1 per week, you just open up the book and start the A-B-C fun!

For more details Click Here!