Bugs. Creepy crawlers. Spiders and caterpillars. For some reason, kids are enthralled with critters with more than four legs. This simple and fun craft will let kids explore their inner bug while also putting to good use all those egg cartons you saved in your recycling bin.
All you need to do is remember to save your old cardboard egg crates. After you’ve collected several of them, it’s time to turn them into bugs. With a few pipe cleaners, paint, googly eyes, and some good old fashioned bug love, the kids will have a blast creating creepy crawlies to freak Mom out.
What You Need:
- Egg cartons
- Scissors
- Paint
- Paintbrushes
- Wiggle eyes
- Markers
- Pipe cleaners
- Hole punch
What You Do:
- An adult should help the kids separate the egg cartons into various sizes using a pair of scissors. Make some that are only one cup, some with two cups, and some with as many as four or five (for caterpillars).
- Let your child choose what type of creepy s/he wants to make. One cup works well for a spider, two works well for a bigger insect, three or more work well for a caterpillar.
- Have your child paint her bug in any color she wishes. Let it dry.
- Once it’s dry, place it so the carton is upside down (the bump is on top.) Using a single hole punch, punch holes at the base of the cup where you want the legs. For a spider, punch three holes on each side.
- Thread the pipe cleaners through the holes to create legs.
- Then go crazy with the decorations. Get out the sequins, pom poms, googly eyes, glitter, and feathers. These bugs can be as silly or as creepy as the kids like!
Pretty soon, you'll have your very own bug farm inside your house.
By Lisa M. Cope
Lisa M. Cope is a freelance writer who focuses on parenting and child development issues, among many others. She is the mother of two boys, ages five and two.
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