Today, we are sharing an adorable ladybug craft that is as easy as pie and twice as cute. It’s a great way to bring some brightness and fun into your home or classroom, no matter the time of the year.
Let’s dive in and create some paper plate ladybugs that will put big smiles on your little one’s faces! To make this fun ladybug craft even easier we have the free ladybug templates available to download in PDF format at the end of this blog post.
Ladybugs aka ladybirds have a special charm, don’t they? Their bright colors, tiny black spots, and friendly demeanor make them a favorite among kids of all ages.
But there’s more to these little creatures than their cute appearance. Did you know that the number of dots on a ladybug’s back tells its age? Sharing fun facts like this while crafting can turn this fun activity into a fascinating learning session.
Our paper plate ladybug craft is more than just a fun project; it fits perfectly into an array of educational topics.
It can be a vibrant addition to an insect-themed study, mini beasts topic, a springtime activity, or even a hands-on extension to reading children’s books such as “The Grouchy Ladybug.”
How to Make the Paper Plate Lady Bug
Let’s delve into our step-by-step guide for creating an easy ladybug craft. Our adorable ladybug craft requires some basic supplies that are likely already sitting in your craft drawer.
You’ll need black construction paper, a sturdy pair of scissors, regular paper plates, non-toxic glue suitable for kids, acrylic paint in bold black and vibrant red, a standard paint brush, and our specially designed, free printable template (download below)
Easy Paper Plate Ladybug Craft
Our adorable Paper Plate Ladybug Craft is a vibrant, fun, and easy DIY project perfect for kids of all ages.
With simple materials like paper plates, acrylic paint, and a free printable template, children can create their own charming ladybugs.
It's not only a delightful craft activity but also an excellent way to enhance creativity, fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination. Ideal for a rainy day, a classroom activity, or to complement an insect-themed study, this craft is sure to bring bright smiles and heaps of fun.
Materials
- Black Construction paper
- Scissors
- 2 Paper plates per ladybug
- Glue
- Black and red paint - use acrylic paint or washable ready mixed children's paint
- Paint brush
- Provided template
Tools
- Printer
Instructions
- Gather all your materials ready to begin the craft, and print out the ladybug template
- Take the scissors and gently cut one paper plate in half. We advise parents to oversee this step, especially if younger kids are involved. It's always better to prioritize safety while having fun crafting.
- Now, let the painting begin! Dip your paintbrush into the black acrylic paint and generously cover the entire whole paper plate with it. This will form the body of our little ladybug. Simultaneously, take the two paper plate halves and add a lively splash of red paint to each one. These will soon transform into the ladybug’s wings.
- Once the paint is dry, it's time to assemble the wings. Apply glue along the edge of each red paper plate half and attach them above the black paper plate. It's important to leave around a 30-degree angle between the two red plates to mimic the open wings of the ladybug. The guide photo can help you with this step.
- Now, you need to grab your scissors once more. Use them to cut out the figures from the free ladybug craft template we've provided. This template will help you create perfectly shaped body parts for your ladybug.
- Next, take your black construction paper and trace the cut-out figures from the template onto it. This step is crucial in creating the perfect ladybug cut, so take your time!
- It's time to give our ladybug some life! Glue the black and white circles together to create googly eyes for our pretty ladybug.
Refer to the photo for the proper placement of the eyes. 
- With your eyes ready, attach them at the top of the cut-out black head of the bug using some more glue. Suddenly, you'll see your ladybug start to come to life.
- Now, assemble the head at the top of the ladybug’s body by gently gluing it at the back. This will make the face of the ladybug pop out, making it look more three-dimensional and realistic.
- Next, position the black circles on the top of the red parts. These black dots will form the iconic spots on our ladybug's wings.
- For a touch of detail, cut one black circle in half and attach it to the red part of the ladybug using glue. Again, you can refer to the guide photo for the best placement of these half-circles.
- Voila! With the final touch, your very own ladybug craft is ready to flutter around the room!
Notes
While following these steps, remember our tips:
Be careful when using scissors and acrylic paint, especially when crafting with younger kids.
Choosing the right materials is key to achieving the desired outcome, so try to stick with our recommended list.
Last but not least, let your creativity flow in your work. If you feel like adding additional touches like tissue paper flowers or a tiny paper frog as the ladybug's best buddy, go ahead!
Enjoy this craft project, and remember that the ultimate goal is to have much fun while developing your kids' fine motor skills and creativity. Happy crafting!
Benefits of Our Paper Plate Ladybug Craft
Crafting is a fun way to build fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. As your children handle scissors, paintbrushes, and glue, they are working those small muscles in their hands, crucial for handwriting.
Plus, it’s a great activity for enhancing concentration, creativity, and boosting self-esteem as they proudly display their personal ladybug creation.
The best things about our craft? It’s affordable and you probably already have most of the materials at hand. All you need are some paper plates, red and black paint, black construction paper, and our free printable ladybug templates.
And if you wish to add a dash of whimsy, feel free to substitute white paper circles with googly eyes or add some black pom pom for the ladybug’s spots.
Download Free Template Printable in PDF format
Make your own little ladybugs easily with the free printable template.
We understand your time is precious, that’s why we’ve prepared the free printable ladybug craft template. It’s easy peasy to use – just download the pdf file, print it on card stock and your little ones can start crafting their own ladybug.
Terms of use: free for personal use and free for classroom use
So, are you ready to get your hands a little painted and have some fun? Grab your pair of scissors and let’s make some adorable paper ladybugs together!
Remember, crafts are always a great addition to the day, but they’re so much more fun when they’re easy, educational, and enjoyable for all.
Once you’ve finished your delightful ladybugs, don’t forget to share your creations on social media, tagging us so we can see your fantastic work. Happy crafting!
More Easy Crafts For Kids
We hope you enjoyed this easy ladybug paper craft idea, once you finished making these pretty ladybugs why not try a few more of our fun ideas and craft projects with the kids… from paper crafts to paper plate crafts, and animal crafts
- Paper Plate Turtle Craft With Free Printable Template (3D)
- Easy Paper Craft Cactus (Free Printable Template)
- Rainbow Butterfly Windsock Craft
- Adorable Sloth Craft With Free Printable Template
And if you need more for the bugs topic, check out some of these…
- Free Printable Bugs I-SPY and Count and Graph
- How to Draw Bugs Printables
- Free Printable Bugs Coloring Pages
- Easy Colorful Coffee Filter Butterfly Craft
- Free Printable Butterfly Colouring Pages
- Paper Plate Handprint Spider and Web
Stay tuned for more fun craft ideas on our blog, where creativity and learning go hand in hand, one adorable craft at a time!
Share
Please go ahead and share this easy ladybug craft idea with friends and family or on social media, thanks so much.
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.
1 thought on “Easy Paper Plate Ladybug Craft with Free Printable Template ”