Bugs can be creepy and crawly, not to mention ouchie when they bite or sting, but not these super adorable googly-eyed painted rock bugs. This summer, get some outdoor time with the kids and create some buzzing crafts.
Crafting is fun and can also positively impact children's development. It's great for kids' fine motor, creative, and executive functioning skills, and with these little bugs, kids can practice imaginary play, role playing, and cooperative play (if crafting with more than one child).
This craft is great for kids ages 5-8. Younger kiddos will also love these cutie bug rocks but might need some extra help. Offer help and cater this activity depending on your child's abilities!
Materials
You'll need:
- Acrylic paint (yellow, black, and red)
- Paintbrushes
- Container of water for rinsing brushes
- Smooth rocks to paint on
- Googly eyes
- Liquid glue if your googly eyes aren't self-adhesive
- Black pipe cleaners for bumblebee wings (1 per bee)
- Scrap paper
Instructions
- Choose a rock and paint the whole thing with the base colour - yellow for the bee, red for the ladybug. Use the scrap piece of paper to set the painted rocks on and allow to dry - about 5 minutes. While your first rock is drying, you can get started on another rock or have a small snack while waiting.
- Using black paint, paint one of the ends of the rock black for the head. Still with black paint, paint the bug's patterns - stripes for the bee, circles for the ladybug. It might be easier to let the head dry before painting the patterns.
This part might be trickier for the little ones. Depending on what they can do, you can help them out by encouraging them to try their best, sketching it out for them to trace and colour in, or doing this part for them.
- Glue googly eyes to each bug friend.
- For the bumblebee wings: once your bumblebees are dry, use a pipe cleaner to form the wings. Place the rock on the middle of the pipe cleaner. Wrap the pipe cleaner around the rock and twist the two strands together so it fits snug on the rock like a ring. With each strand of the pipe cleaner, form an oval for each wing, twisting the ends to secure each wing.
This part also might be tricky for the little ones, so this might be a job for the adults!
Ta-daa! Enjoy your new bug friends! What should we name these guys? Give us some name suggestions in the comments below!
