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Easy paper plate insects that allow kids to work on fine motor skills while learning about ladybugs, bumble bees, and stag beetles.
I thought it would be super fun to create some paper plate insects that kids can make while learning about bugs and while enjoying their time in the spring and summer. Most kids love finding and observing bugs outside. They’re pretty cool creatures, even when they’re too creepy crawly. Here are some easy crafts you can do with the kids that only require a few simple craft supplies. Check out the Paper Plate Insects below.
In this post, I will show you how to make a bumble bee, ladybug, and stag beetle out of paper plates. These paper plate crafts are easy to do any time of year and with kids of all ages. Older kids will love helping the younger ones piece these together.
Supplies Needed to Make All Three Crafts
If you want to make all three of these fun insect crafts, grab the supplies listed below. They all use basically the same items, just in a different way.
- Black and yellow acrylic paint
- Googly Eye Template
- Medium/Dark gray. light blue, black, and red construction paper
- Black pom poms – medium and large size
- FREE Bug Template
For any of these crafts, feel free to use pipe cleaners instead of construction paper to make their antennae. Twist or curl the pipe cleaners for a cute look. It’s also a great way to work on those fine motor skills by twisting the flexible material around a pencil.
How to Make a Paper Plate Bee Craft
You will need:
- Dessert-sized paper plate
- Black construction paper
- Large black pom poms
- Yellow paint
- Glue
- Googly Eye Templates
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Begin by painting a paper plate yellow.
- Cut out your black stripes, stinger, light blue wings, and the antennae from construction paper.
- Glue the construction paper pieces onto the yellow plate.
- Attach your googly eye templates.
- Glue the large pom poms to the top of the antennae.
How to Make a Paper Plate Stag Beetle Craft
You will need:
- Dessert-sized paper plate
- black paint
- black construction paper
- Googly eye template
- gray construction paper
Step-by_step Instructions
- Begin by painting your paper plate black.
- Cut out your legs, antennae, and pincers from black construction paper.
- Cut out the body/wings from gray construction paper.
- Glue these pieces on and then attach your googly eyes.
How to Make a Paper Plate Ladybug Craft
You will need:
- Dessert-sized paper plate
- black paint
- medium and large pom poms in black
- googly eye template
- black construction paper
- red construction paper
Step-By-Step Instructions
- Begin by painting your paper plate black.
- Cut your wings out of red construction paper. Cut the antennae out of black construction paper.
- Glue these pieces onto the black plate.
- Glue on ladybug polka dots and use large pom poms for the top of the antennae.
If you are looking for more ladybug crafts, try these Paper Ladybugs. They are super simple to make and very similar to the craft above.
More Paper Plate Crafts for Kids
If you love making crafts out of paper plates as much as I do, be sure to check out my multiple pages of Paper Plate Crafts here. Kids can make these paper plate bugs as well as many other animals like zoo animals, ocean animals, unicorns, and more. There are even themed crafts for the holidays.
Paper plates truly make the perfect base for any round craft. All you need to decorate is a piece of construction paper or two, glue, and some other fun craft supplies.
Other Easy Bug Crafts
I also have toilet paper tube insects that the kids will love to make. All you need is a paper towel roll or toilet paper roll and some construction paper. Check out how easy these Paper Tube Insects are to make. Kids will make a bumble bee, ladybug, and a butterfly craft!
How Can I Display My Kids’ Paper Plate Crafts?
One simple way to hang up your kids artwork is to hole punch the top of it and attach string or yarn. Then, it can hang anywhere in the house. Alternately, attach a sticky magnet to the back so it can hang up on the fridge. These awesome activities also stand up well on a photo stand. You can find these at craft stores or online. Any craft or thick paper will stand up well in them.
This easy paper plate craft is the perfect activity for young children to do while learning about insects. I hope you and your little ones enjoy these fun crafts.
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