Last year we made a 3D butterfly and because it turned out so cute, I decided to explore more insect and bug crafts. So here I am today with a lovely 3D ladybug craft idea.
The easy ladybug printable template makes it a great insect craft for kids as young as preschoolers. They will get a chance to work on their fine motor skills and practice scissor cutting all the patterns.
Our ladybug craft can also be part of an insect unit for your classroom this spring. You can pair it with a ladybug life cycle activity or a good book.
While the classroom template is meant to be printed on colored paper, you can also print it on white paper and let the students color the ladybug and flowers. This way you will have a bunch of original and unique ladybugs to decorate your classroom or school hallway with.
Of course, this craft is also perfect to make at home with your little ones. The template has two versions and the one for home crafting is printed on white paper. You will then trace the patterns on corresponding colored paper.
We like the 3D effect of the wings and have used the same technique in the past, from this 3D flower to this 3D bee.
3D ladybug craft
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Supplies:
- 3D ladybug template
- Craft paper: black, red, green and other colors for the flowers
- Cardstock paper – color of your choice
- Googly eyes
- Scissors
- Glue
- White marker (optional)
How to make a 3D ladybug craft
The 3D ladybug template comes with two versions:
1. home template – cut out the patterns and trace them on corresponding colored paper.
2. classroom template – print the pattern directly on colored paper and cut them out.
This way you can easily craft with just one or two kids as well as with a classroom full of students.
STEP BY STEP DIRECTIONS FOR HOME CRAFTING
Print the home template, cut out the patterns and trace them on corresponding colored paper.
The wings and the antennae are the only patterns that you can use as is.
You will have to transfer the body on black paper, the stems and leaves on green paper. For the flowers and flower pistils use any color of your choice.
Start by gluing the stems at the bottom of the cardstock paper.
Glue the flowers on top of the stems.
Glue the leaves next to the stems.
Add the pistils in the middle of the flowers.
Glue the antennae to the top of the ladybug body.
Glue the body onto the cardstock paper, just above the flowers.
Fold the wings in half and glue them onto the body, one wing on each side of the body.
Add two googly eyes and if you have a white marker, use it to draw a smile under the eyes.
(Optional) Use a white marker to draw a smile.
STEP BY STEP DIRECTIONS FOR CLASSROOM CRAFTING
Print the classroom template on corresponding colored paper. The wings are printed on red paper, the big flowers, small flowers, and pistils (big and small) on the color of your choice and the leaves and stems on green paper. For the body and antennae you have the option to print them on black paper (outline patterns) or white paper (black patterns).
To make the 3D ladybug craft each student will need 1 black body, 2 black antennae, 2 red wings, 2 small flowers, 1 big flower, 2 small pistils, 1 big pistil, 3 green stems and 4 green leaves.
Follow the same steps as home crafting.