Thinking about taking the kids to the Academy of Natural Sciences "Bugfest" this weekend? Get them in a buggy mood with these craft and recipe ideas!
Name Bugs - Easy & Fun for All Ages
This craft/art project comes from my mom, Patty. She taught grade school until she retired a fewyears ago. One of her kids' favorite art projects was "Name Bugs." She made one with me when I was little and has made one with my daughter. I love the simplicity of the craft and how beautiful they all turn out.
Here's what you need:
- Construction paper--various colors
- Scissors
- Glue
- Something to write with
Instructions:
- Take a sheet of construction paper and fold it in half lengthwise.
- Have your child write his/her name and last initial (for example, Sara M.) or write it for them in large letters along the fold. It is best if you write in cursive.
- Next, cut around the outer edge of the written name.
- Open up the paper and this is the body of your bug.
- Use construction paper to make wings, antennae, eyes and eyelashes, legs, etc. My mother always made a point to use a pen or pencil to "curl" strips of paper for the eyelashes and other embellishments.
They're always great for a spring craft on a rainy day!
Buggy Snack - Kids Can Make These!
Edible Butterfly
- Mini Ritz or other round crackers
- Celery or carrot stick
- Cream cheese, peanut butter or hummus spread (I ended up using bean dip!)
- matchstick carrots for antennae
- Using the celery or carrot stick as your body base, spread cream cheese along the top.
- Stick two Mini Ritz crackers in the spread to create wings.
- Cut raisin to create antennae. Stick them in the spread at one end of the carrot stick.
Generic Bug
- Oblong/oval cracker
- Cream cheese, peanut butter or hummus spread
- Matchstick carrots
- Raisins or craisins for eyes/mouth
- Using cracker as body base, spread cream cheese over the top.
- Place six carrot sticks (three on each side) in the spread to create legs.
- Use raisins to make eyes and a mouth.
