Insects may be tiny, but they play a huge role in our world. From butterflies fluttering in gardens to ants marching in perfect order, bugs fascinate kids more than we realize. While some people call them “creepy crawlies,” there’s actually an entire celebration dedicated to appreciating insects—National Insect Appreciation Day on June 8th. And if that wasn’t surprising enough, millions of people across the globe even include insects in their diets!

Whether kids are curious about nature, love collecting bugs, or simply enjoy colorful crafting, insect-themed activities are a great way to turn their interest into creativity. Today we bring you 20 interesting insect crafts for kids, filled with ladybugs, caterpillars, spiders, butterflies, dragonflies, ants, and more. These projects use materials you already have at home, making them perfect for summer, classroom fun, or weekend family activities.

Let’s explore the wonderfully tiny world of insects—craft style!

Why Insect Crafts Are Great for Kids

Before we dive into the activities, here’s why insect crafts are so beneficial:

• Introduce kids to nature and ecosystems
  
• Teach shapes, symmetry, colors, and patterns
  
• Boost fine motor skills through cutting, gluing, and assembling
  
• Encourage scientific curiosity and outdoor exploration
  
• Provide hours of screen-free fun
  
• Perfect for toddlers to older kids, with simple or detailed options
  

Now, let’s get creative with these adorable bug-themed crafts!

1. Cute Insect Bookmarks & Puppets

These simple insect characters are perfect for turning “creepy crawlies” into friendly little companions. Kids can make butterflies, bees, beetles, spiders, grasshoppers, and more using paper, markers, and craft sticks. They can also be used as puppets for storytelling time or as bookmarks for kids who love reading.

2. Paper Butterfly Craft (Colorful & Customizable)

Butterflies are the most admired insects because of their symmetry and vibrant wings. Kids can design their own butterfly using paper cutouts, crayons, glitter, and sequins. They can mix bold colors or stick to soft pastels. This craft is perfect for teaching patterns and bilateral symmetry.

3. Eric Carle Inspired Insects

Nothing inspires creativity like the vibrant art style of the world’s most beloved insect-themed stories. Kids can recreate colorful caterpillars using circles of paper, or make a cute paper spider with textured patterns. These crafts help children connect storytelling with haThis project encourages kids to look for craft materials outdoors. Using leaves, petals, twigs, and tiny sticks, children assemble a delicate butterfly on paper. It’s a perfect blend of nature study and creative art. Every butterfly looks different because the materials come directly from the outdoors.

5. Pom-Pom Insect Sorting Mats

Great for toddlers and preschoolers, this craft doubles as a learning activity. Kids place pom-poms onto insect-themed sorting mats, matching colors or sizes. It supports early math, fine motor skills, and sensory learn

6. Ladybug Bookmark

Ladybugs are cute, red, round, and instantly recognizable. Kids craft a little ladybug using red and black paper circles, then attach it to a bookmark strip. It’s simple, but charming—perfect for young readers.

7. Bug-Themed Tic-Tac-Toe Game

With clay, paint, and a small board, kids can create their own bug-inspired tic-tac-toe set. Bees vs. ladybugs, caterpillars vs. fireflies—the options are endless. It’s a unique craft that also becomes a reusable game.

8. Craft Stick Dragonfly

Dragonflies often get forgotten in insect crafts, but they’re absolutely beautiful. Kids use craft sticks as the body and pipe cleaners or paper wings for sparkle and color. The result is magical, lightweight, and easy to display.

9. Ladybug Pencil Topper

This simple craft turns an ordinary pencil into a cheerful little ladybug friend. Kids place a ladybug cutout on top of the pencil using glue or tape. It’s a great school accessory and makes everyday writing more fun.

10. Caterpillar Finger Puppet

Using paper circles or felt, kids create a multi-coloured caterpillar puppet they can wear on their fingers. This craft is perfect for pretend play and early storytelling activities.

11. Egg Carton Ant Craft

Ants are hardworking team players, and kids can assemble their own 3-body ant using egg carton cups, chenille stems, and black paint. It’s a fun recycling project that sparks curiosity about ant colonies.

12. Clothespin Butterfly Clips

Using clothespins, tissue paper, and markers, kids make beautiful butterfly clips that can attach to curtains, shelves, or backpacks. They open and close just like wings flapping!

13. Handprint Bee Craft

Handprint crafts create special memories for parents. Kids paint their hand yellow and make wing patterns to form a friendly buzzing bee. Add stripes, antennae, and a smile to finish the look.

14. Pipe Cleaner Spiders

Soft pipe cleaners make perfect spider legs. Kids twist and shape them around a pom-pom body and add googly eyes. These little spiders are great for nature lessons or Halloween craft days.

15. Giant Paper Caterpillar Chain

Kids link paper strips like a chain to form a long caterpillar body. Add a big smiling face, and suddenly the room has a friendly new insect guest. This craft is easy enough for toddlers and exciting for older kids too.

16. Painted Rock Ladybugs

This craft is perfect for outdoor summer fun. Kids collect smooth stones, paint them red, and add black spots to create adorable ladybug pebbles. These can be used as garden décor or paperweights.

17. Dragonfly Window Suncatchers

Using translucent paper or melted crayon shavings, kids create glowing dragonfly wings. When the sun shines through them, the colors sparkle beautifully. It’s an excellent craft for window displays.

18. Toilet Paper Roll Fireflies

With glowing yellow paper or mini LED inserts (optional), kids turn recycled toilet paper rolls into fireflies. Add wings, antennae, and a sweet face for a magical evening craft.

19. Paper Plate Beetles

Beetles come in incredible patterns and colors. Kids decorate paper plates with paint, glitter, foil, or markers before folding them to mimic beetle wings. You can make ladybugs, scarabs, or rainbow-hued fantasy bugs.

20. Fingerprint Insect Garden

This craft uses only paint and fingers—perfect for toddlers. Kids dip their fingers into paint, make tiny dots on paper, and turn each dot into bees, ladybugs, caterpillars, or butterflies using simple lines and shapes.

Final Thoughts

Insects are everywhere—outside our windows, in our gardens, and in storybooks—and they provide endless inspiration for creative projects. These 20 interesting insect crafts for kids help children explore nature, learn about tiny creatures, and enjoy hands-on crafting all summer long. From butterflies and bees to dragonflies and ants, each project brings out the beauty of insects in a fun, friendly, and imaginative way.

Crafting with insects teaches kids to appreciate the little things—literally! With just some paper, colors, glue, and creativity, children can turn the insect world into an exciting art adventure.