Ladybugs are beautiful creatures and are fun crafts for your kids to make while learning how to count, and maybe learn some letters as well! We’re all about counting here, so make sure to count everything on this ladybug we’re making, including black dots, wings, legs, eyes, antenna, and anything else you see. Don’t forget to use your crafts as props when you sing ladybug songs!
Skills
Types of skills can include math, fine motor, dramatic play, social and emotional. Here is how this craft applies these skills:
Math
Add in math concepts by having your child count how many circles are on their ladybug. Have the child identify shapes they see. Have the child discriminate between the big dots and small dots.
Science
Ladybugs fall under the insect category. Talk about classification of insect versus animal. What makes ladybug a bug? Why is a bug an insect?
Fine Motor Skills
Your child will learn how to use their pincer grasp along with their hand to hold the circle and glue it on the big red circle. They will also draw the ladybug’s head, eyes, mouth, legs ,tail, and antenas.
Dramatic Play and Social/Emotional
Children can use this art project and go around flying around in the room just like the buzzing bee.
Boundaries
Make sure you supervise your child when using scissors and other sharp items.
Materials
You will use green and red construction paper, markers, crayons, pencils, scissors, and glue.
Red and green construction paper, and a circle template for the ladybug’s body
Markers, scissors, and glue
Steps
Firstly, find a circle template, trace it on the red construction paper and cut it out. (Depending on the child’s ability, he/she can do this step.)
Next, have the child glue the red circle in the middle of the green construction paper. Guide the child as needed.
Have the child draw and/or trace a line to make two columns on the red circle to create the wings.
Then, have the child draw and/or color in dots on the red circle.
Don’t forget to remind the students to draw the head, eyes, mouth, antennas, tail and legs on the ladybug.
Lastly, have the count how many dots are on his/her ladybug.
Modifications
You can use markers, paints, tissue papers, pre-cut small circles for the dots, and anything you want to make the ladybug original. You can also use googly eyes instead of drawing in the eyes.
Make it fun by having a dice. Have the child roll the dice and each number the dice land on, have the child put the dots on their ladybug. Allow the child to roll it a couple times to have simple back and forth conversations. You can also have the child guess what number the dice will land on.
Fly Away, Ladybug!
Having your kids make ladybug crafts teaches them to learn how to count in many different ways. Make sure to count along with them if they’re having a hard time. What does your ladybug eat?