13 Paper Plate Bug Crafts {Printable Templates!}

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If you love cute little bugs and paper plate crafts, you are going to absolutely LOOOOVE our ebook, Super Cool Bug Crafts!!!

Included are 13 insect templates (also called mini beast crafts for our overseas friends) that will totally transform a simple paper plate into a work of art. And it’s so much more than art because these finished paper plate crafts are also fun to play with! Notice that this lightning bug even has wings that can flap (though we couldn’t figure out a way to get the tail to light up too…lol).

In this paper plate bug crafts ebook, we explore some well-known insects, as well as some unique bugs that you might never have even heard of before. And we provide interesting facts about each insect that you will be crafting. So, you can create and learn at the same time.

You can get your copy of the ebook here.

I have really enjoyed learning more about these interesting creatures.

Here are some Bug Fun Facts. Did you know?…

• When the PEACOCK BUTTERFLY emerges in the Spring it lays 400 eggs.
• The 17-year CICADA can make a sound so loud it makes human ears hurt.
• Some female PRAYING MANTIS can even kill and eat birds.
• The male RHINOCEROS BEETLE uses its horn to fight for a mate.
• The PICASSO BUG got its name because of the painting like design on its back.
• Or my favorite fun fact, a male GIANT KATYDID can make music by rubbing its legs together.

My hope is that these PAPER PLATE BUG CRAFTS will encourage creativity and spark learning for all kinds of kids.

Age recommendation: These crafts are best suited for ages 7 and up, but can be enjoyed by younger children also with some assistance.

File Type: This ebook is a printable PDF file

The insect crafts included in this collection are:

• Seven-spotted Ladybird (Ladybug)
• Lubber Grasshopper
• Eastern Bumblebee
• Picasso Bug
• Pharaoh Cicada
• Jewel Beetle
• Peacock Butterfly
• European Rhinoceros Beetle
• Praying Mantis
• Tiger Mosquito
• Rosemary Beetle
• Big Dipper Firefly
• Giant Katydid (Leaf Bug)

You’ll notice that some of these you can find right in your backyard, and others you may never even have heard of before. It’s so fun getting to know new creatures from around the world. And, we include even more fun facts in the ebook for your child’s enjoyment and enrichment.

How to Make the Paper Plate Bug Crafts

All of the info you need is contained in the ebook, along with photos to guide you through each step. The general steps for each bug craft are basically the same, with some changes to the details. I have created a brief video to walk you through the ladybug craft to give you an idea of what to expect.

Adapting the Craft

We give you a guideline for how to make these insect crafts, but you can change it up as much as you need to. For example, if you really do not want the messiness of painting, get out the markers or crayons instead. Or you can print the template directly onto colored paper instead of using the template to cut out the pieces individually. Don’t have a metal brad so that the wings move?…just glue them in place. There is always a way to work with what you have to get the craft made if you just give it a try.

We Made It…Now What?

Like I said before, these bug crafts are so much more because you can play with them when you are done. Just leave them as is and create stories or make backgrounds for them. You can even film a video on your phone. OR…put a magnet on the back so that they stick to things like the fridge, outdoor items or a magnet board. OR…put a piece of velcro onto the back and use them on a felt board. OR…tape on a popsicle stick handle and turn them into puppets. The only limit is your imagination.

Save these Paper Plate Bug Crafts for later. Pin them to your favorite Pinterest board…

Don’t Miss Out On the Bonuses…

Oh…I almost forgot to tell you about the bonuses that you get with our 13 Super Cool Bug Crafts ebook. And you will not want to miss out on them. Along with the tutorials, and fun facts, printable templates, you will also get a link to the bonuses which include:

• SVG files for your favorite cutting machine
• Video tutorials of painting techniques used
• Printable pdf of more bug activities to try