How to Make a Ladybug Bug Catcher from a Recycled Jar

I made this easy recycled ladybug bug catcher craft with my son almost seven years ago for Earth Day when he was in preschool!

It's a great way to turn an empty glass jar into something cute your kids will use and enjoy.

The lid of this jar is painted to look like a ladybug and includes fun 3D features like eyes and antennae.

Catch bugs in the jar to observe through the glass - just be sure to let them go when you're done!

This is an easy kids craft to make with your preschool or kindergarten class to encourage them to get outside, looking for bugs and exploring in the garden!

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Looking for more ladybug crafts?

If you love ladybugs, you can find more awesome ladybug crafts here:

• Ladybugs from recycled egg cartons
• Ladybug painted rocks

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How to Make a Ladybug Bug Catcher
an easy STEM craft for kids

Supplies

• Glass jar with lid
• Acrylic paint - in red and black
• Paint brush
• Googley eyes
• 1 black chenille stem
• Hot glue gun and glue
• Black permanent marker or paint pen

Directions

Step 1: Paint the Jar Lid

Paint the top of the lid of a clean glass jar red. 

Once dry, use black paint, a black paint pen or a permanent marker to add ladybug details like a head, line and dots. 

Allow the lid to dry completely before moving on to step 2.

Step 2: Attach Eyes and Antenna

Use hot glue to attach gooogley eyes.

Cut two pieces of chenille stem 2 inches in length.

Curl the tops as shown and use hot glue to attach to lid.

Step 3: Personalize

Use a permanent marker or black paint to personalize your jar. 

I wrote "K's Bug Jar" in a fun connect-the-dots style lettering.

Step 4: Collect Bugs!

Now that your bug home is complete, have fun collecting bugs to put inside! Don't forget to let them go once you are done observing them!

If you love this ladybug bug catcher craft, be sure to save it to Pinterest so you can find it later!

Ladybug Bug Jar

Yield: 1

Author: Carissa Bonham

Estimated cost: $0

prep time: 1 Mperform time: 14 Mtotal time: 15 M

Raid your recycling bin to turn an empty glass jar or mason jar into a cut bug jar with a ladybug lid. This is an easy painting craft for kids that turns into an easy STEM exercise of bug examination.

materials:

• Glass jar with lid
• Acrylic paint - in red and black
• Googley eyes
• 1 black chenille stem

tools:

• Paint brush
• Hot glue gun
• Hot glue sticks
• Permanent marker

steps:

1. Paint the lid of the jar red.
2. Once dry, use black paint or a permanent marker to add ladybug details like a head, line and dots.
3. Allow lid to dry completely.
4. Use hot glue to attach gooogley eyes.
5. Cut two pieces of chenille stem 2 inches in length. Curl the tops as shown and use hot glue to attach to lid.
6. Use a permanent marker or black paint to personalize your jar. I wrote "K's Bug Jar" in a fun connect-the-dots style font.

Recommended Products:

FolkArt Outdoor Paint

Googley Eyes

Black Paint Pen

https://www.creativegreenliving.com/2013/04/how-to-make-recycled-ladybug-bug-jar.html

Copyright 2013, Creative Green Living

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ladybug craft, bug jar, kids craft, kids stem craft, kids painting craft, easy kids craft, easy ladybug craft, ladybug craft for kids

Created using Craft Card Maker

About the Author:

Carissa Bonham is a lifelong crafter and mom of two creative boys. Her goal is to empower families to make easy projects and healthier choices that are beautiful and delicious! 

The owner and lead writer at Creative Green Living, she is an award winning blogger and most recently won the ShiftCon Media "Best Green Lifestyle Blogger" award in 2019.

She is also the author of several books including Beautiful Smoothie Bowls (Skyhorse, 2017), Proven Techniques for Keeping Healthy Chickens (Skyhorse, 2018) and The Little Green Book of Mothers' Wisdom (Skyhorse, 2020).

Her projects have been featured in magazines like Kids Crafts 1-2-3, Capper's Farmer and Urban Farm Magazine. Follow her on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter or join the Creative Green Living Tribe.

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Relationship disclosure: Plaid Craft, the makers of FolkArt paint have an ongoing sponsorship relationship with Creative Green Living. This post was not specifically sponsored by Plaid Crafts but the FTC requires that I let you know that sometimes they do pay me to paint things - and I'm happy to tell you because full disclosure is good for everyone!