How to Make a Ladybug Bug Catcher from a Recycled Jar

How to make a bug jar with a ladybug lid - easy STEM craft for kids!
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!

Looking for more ladybug crafts?

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



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

Easy ladybug craft idea with empty recycled jar: Turn it into a cute bug catcher. This is the perfect craft idea for kids in preschool or kindergarten and up. This creative DIY STEM project will get kids out in the garden looking for bugs to study insects. The painting is simple and uses waterproof nontoxic paint to make it easy to use outside. #STEM #STEMcraft #kindergartencrafts #preschoolcrafts #ladybugcrafts


Supplies

ladybug bug jar craft project recycled upcycled
Directions

Step 1: Paint the Jar Lid
Jar lid painted to look like a ladybug
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
Jar lid painted like a ladybug to make an easy bug catcher craft. Ladybug jar lid has googley eyes and entennea.
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
Ladybug bug catcher jar that says "K's Bug Jar"
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!
Easy ladybug craft idea with empty recycled jar: Turn it into a cute bug catcher. This is the perfect craft idea for kids in preschool or kindergarten and up. This creative DIY STEM project will get kids out in the garden looking for bugs to study insects. The painting is simple and uses waterproof nontoxic paint to make it easy to use outside.

Paint the lid of a recycled glass jar to make an easy ladybug bug catcher craft that is perfect for your preschool or kindergarten class (or homeschool!). This craft is easy for kids to make and is a fun DIY idea that will get them out in the garden looking for bugs to trap in their jar. This is a creative project to make for Earth Day to teach about reusing materials you have on hand (like jars) an encourages STEM and science exploration.

Easy ladybug craft idea with empty recycled jar: Turn it into a cute bug catcher. This is the perfect craft idea for kids in preschool or kindergarten and up. This creative DIY STEM project will get kids out in the garden looking for bugs to study insects. The painting is simple and uses waterproof nontoxic paint to make it easy to use outside.

If you love this ladybug bug catcher craft, be sure to save it to Pinterest so you can find it later!Paint the lid of a recycled glass jar to make an easy ladybug bug catcher craft that is perfect for your preschool or kindergarten class (or homeschool!). This craft is easy for kids to make and is a fun DIY idea that will get them out in the garden looking for bugs to trap in their jar. This is a creative project to make for Earth Day to teach about reusing materials you have on hand (like jars) an encourages STEM and science exploration.






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.

Did you make this project?
Tag @CreativeGreenLiving on instagram and hashtag it #CreativeGreenLiving
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




Carissa Bonham

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 PinterestInstagramTwitter 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!

8 comments

  1. Your jar is adorable. I'm pinning this to make and fill with sugar scrubs for Mother's Day

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  2. What a great idea, Carissa! Not only is it adorable, but it is a fun way to spend a Spring afternoon with the kiddos...thanks for the inspiration!

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  3. One of my girls LOOOOOVES ladybugs...she'd adore this!

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  4. That actually looks like something I could do since I'm so craft challenged! My daughter loves to craft and she'd have a great time painting the lid with me. She an collect the bugs with her dad though!

    Stopping by from SITS

    ReplyDelete
  5. My daughter is having a ladybug themed birthday party on Sunday. She'd love this...only she's afraid of real ladybugs. Andrea @ be-quoted.com visiting from SITS.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love this Carissa! You are featured at the Creative Headquarters blog today! www.thecreativeheadquarters.com
    Congrats!
    ~Barbara~

    ReplyDelete
  7. Very cute idea! But shouldn't you poke a few holes in the lid if you are going to put bugs into it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's not really a suitable permanent home for bugs so we practice "catch and release" bug capture. The bugs aren't in it long enough to use up all the air. If you are going to keep bugs in the jar for an extended period of time, holes are a good idea

      Delete

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