There’s nothing not to love about this quick, easy, adorable preschool ladybug art project! So grab your muffin tin, paints, and paper, and let’s make sweet 🐞 art.
- Process art meets preschool ladybug art
- Not all preschool ladybug art is created equally
- Materials
- Directions
- Is this a “printmaking” project?
- How is this process art?
- Help, I don’t have a paper bigger than a muffin tin!
- How do you teach preschoolers about ladybugs?
- FAQ
- This preschool ladybug art project is the bee’s knees
Process art meets preschool ladybug art
Spring has sprung, and ladybugs are everywhere!
Not only are ladybugs plentiful in your gardens, but they’re also lining the walls of classrooms and homes everywhere through beautiful ladybug art.
And what’s not to love about these little cuties? They’re bright, cheerful, colorful, and happy for the Earth.
Related: Our GIANT 10-foot bug coloring banner has ladybugs and all of their insect friends!
Not all preschool ladybug art is created equally
We love this project because it’s easy and cute, but the most important reason why we love it is that it isn’t a cookie-cutter craft.
Most of the time, preschool insect art projects are a one-size-fits-all-everyone’s-piece-is-identical craft.
They all get displayed on a wall; you turn to ask your child, “Which one is yours?” and they can’t point it out because they all look the same.
With this activity, kids can choose their colors, what they draw, how many dots they add, etc., to create adorable, unique art!
Looking for more bug activities? We’ve got you covered:
- Insect Ice Excavation
- Painting with Bugs Process Art
- Frozen Insect Oobleck
- Bug Play Dough Invitation
Materials
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- Muffin tin
- Paint
- White paper
- Black marker
- Googly eyes + glue – optional
Directions
We love how simple this type of project is.
First, invite your child to paint the flat circles on the underside of a muffin tin. Ladybugs come in many colors, so don’t feel you must stick only to red paint.
Next, flip the muffin tin back over and press it onto a piece of white paper. Press down firmly. Press your fingers in the muffin tin cavities to make sure the paint is pressed onto the paper.
Next, lift up to reveal your dot prints! Let dry completely.
Last, once dry, give your child a marker, googly eyes + glue (if using), and paint for dots and invite them to decorate their bugs.
Quick, fun, easy, adorable, and a perfect opportunity for your artist to customize their insects.
Is this a “printmaking” project?
YES!
Printmaking is one of my favorite art techniques to do with little artists because it’s hard not to be successful.
Stamping is also printmaking, and here we’re essentially making stamps, but with a kitchen tool!
How is this process art?
Just envision how differently each piece could come out!
In a classroom, I would set this up by putting out all the materials, discussing how to make prints, and then letting the kids go to town with as little adult interference as possible.
For some adults, there’s a temptation for each piece to “look right,” but that’s not the objective here. Instead, this activity introduces an art technique, opens discussion, and allows kids to create freely.
One kid might make all red ladybugs, each with six legs and two antennae.
Another kid might make all green ladybugs, each with two legs, eight antennae, and ten eyes.
A different kid might make red, yellow, green, and purple ladybugs with no legs, one antenna, and one eye.
They are all perfect.
Not only is this type of art simply more fun for kids than teacher-directed crafts where every piece is identical, but it’s also cuter. You’ll melt over how special each piece will be.
Help, I don’t have a paper bigger than a muffin tin!
That’s no problem at all.
If your paper is smaller, simply paint fewer circles. Perhaps instead of painting all 12, paint just six that are close to each other.
How do you teach preschoolers about ladybugs?
Here are some strategies we use:
- Read ladybug books – we love reading both nonfiction and fiction
- Observe ladybugs in the garden – many local nurseries sell ladybugs for you to sprinkle in your home or school garden
- Make ladybug art – you can assess a lot about a child’s understanding of something when you see them create it
FAQ
Any age that can enjoy the process without trying to eat any materials.
You can use the underside of a measuring cup or plastic cup and make one ladybug at a time.
I used a Crayola marker, but I also use Sharpies for this project sometimes!
This preschool ladybug art project is the bee’s knees
They are simply darling while also bursting with creative opportunities.
The only question is, how many pieces will your child make? It will probably be more than one. 😍
Have fun!
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