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This easy paper bag owl craft is a perfect fall project for kids to make!

Easy Paper Bag Owl Craft for Kids

October 11, 2022 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Have you started hearing hoots in your neighborhood yet?

As fall settles in and the days get shorter, we start to hear a hoot every so often.

Of course, we never see exactly where the owls are living, but they definitely make their presence heard.

If you’re doing a fall or nocturnal animal theme with your students this time of year, this easy paper bag owl craft is a must-try!

Fun Paper Bag Owl Craft for Kids

This is an easy (and fun!) project that even little ones can make.

And you can save a lot of craft time by prepping the project in advance.

Simple Paper Bag Owl

Read on to get the printable template and the full instructions.

Be sure to check out our list of beautiful children’s books about owls too!

This easy paper bag owl craft is a perfect fall project for kids to make!

Easy Paper Bag Owl Craft for Kids

What I love about this fall craft is that you can make a LOT of them at once. So if you’re working with a class, this is a perfect craft to try.

Easy Paper Bag Owl Craft

To make this simple paper bag owl craft, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are listed below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

  • Printer (with ink)
  • Printer paper
  • Scissors (Note: If you are allowing students to cut out the template pieces themselves, use child-safe scissors)
  • Paper bag
  • Construction paper
  • Craft glue
  • Pencils
  • Washable markers
  • Printable Owl Craft Template
Paper Bag Owl Craft Supplies

You can really use any combination of construction paper colors. Browns, reds, and oranges are good for a fall theme, but real owls also come in black and white!

Simple Paper Bag Owl Craft

Choose a piece of construction paper for the owl’s body. Trim it to fit the paper bag.

After you’ve printed the craft template, use a pencil to trace the pieces onto colored paper.

Paper Bag Owl Template Pieces

Cut out the template pieces and you’re ready to get started!

If you’re making with craft with little ones, you can cut out the pieces in advance and make the project faster for them to finish.

How to Make a Paper Bag Owl

Begin by gluing the face onto the owl’s head.

How to Make an Owl Craft with Kids

Then add the eyes on each side and the beak in the center.

Easy Fall Owl Craft for Kids

Glue the trimmed piece of construction paper onto the long part of the paper bag (under the flap). This will be the owl’s body.

How to Make a Paper Bag Owl

Glue the owl’s head onto the paper bag flap.

How to Make an Owl Out of Paper

Finally, add the wings and feet by gluing the wings onto each side of the paper bag and the feet onto the bottom edge.

Paper Bag Owl Craft

Your paper bag owl is all done!

Simple Paper Owl Craft

You can make an entire owl family by using different colors or by changing the faces a bit.

Cute Paper Bag Owl for Kids to Make

Try some of these other owl-themed activities with early learners!

These owl books for kids feature gorgeous pictures and illustrations for learning about these nocturnal flyers!
Teach early students how to recognize animals with different sleeping habits with this hands-on diurnal and nocturnal animals sorting activity!
Make a fun and simple fall animal craft with this toilet paper roll owl craft kids can make!

Practice basic school words in both English and Spanish with these printable Spanish school vocabulary flashcards!

La Escuela! Spanish School Vocabulary Flashcards

September 6, 2022 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

I’ve been an educator for many years now and summer break is always a treat.

But this is the first year I can recall when I truly do not know where the summer went. I blinked and it was August.

Ready or not, the new school year is upon us. Which made me think of these Spanish school vocabulary flashcards!

Spanish School Word Cards for Kids

These would be a great way to welcome early and ELL learners to the classroom.

Use them at centers, in morning tubs, in small groups, and more!

Matching Spanish school words and pictures

Read on to see how to get your set.

And, for more Spanish vocabulary building, take a look at our ¡Los Verbos! Spanish Verb Learning Cards too!

Practice basic school words in both English and Spanish with these printable Spanish school vocabulary flashcards!

¡La Escuela! Spanish School Vocabulary Flashcards

To use these printable Spanish school vocabulary flashcards, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are listed below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

  • Printer (with ink)
  • Printer paper or cardstock
  • Scissors
  • Laminator (optional)
  • Colored pencils (optional)
  • Dry erase markers (optional)
Using Spanish school word flashcards at centers

This learning card set features flashcards for 12 Spanish and English school related words.

Matching Spanish words for school for early learners

There are also picture labeling cards and word labels in both English and Spanish.

Practicing English and Spanish school words

The cards are designed to be printed dual-sided.

That way, you can have English on one side and Spanish on the other!

Coloring Spanish school word flashcards

A full blackline version and a pronunciation key are included as well!

How to Use the Spanish School Word Learning Cards

There are several ways to use these with students.

Matching Spanish school words activity

Break out the flashcards to teach learners each word. You might decide to start with whichever language your students are most comfortable.

As they build fluency, introduce some of the words in the second language.

Coloring Spanish school words activity

Let students color the blackline version of the cards for themselves!

Spanish and English school word flashcards

Put the English and Spanish flashcards on a ring for use at centers.

Printable Spanish school word flashcards for kids

And, be sure to use the labels and labeling cards for a hands-on activity that will build literacy skills.

Scroll down to get your Spanish school vocabulary flashcards!

Try some of these other Spanish literacy activities!

These English and Spanish solar system learning cards are a fun way to learn about space in both languages!
Learn how to talk about parts of the home in two languages with these English and Spanish parts of the house vocabulary cards!
These Spanish Arctic Animal learning cards are perfect for early literacy and science centers and ELL students!
Teaching kids how to talk about school in Spanish

To get your copy of these Spanish school word learning cards, visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store or check them out below!

These apple letter matching puzzles are so fun for helping early learners build literacy skills!

Uppercase and Lowercase Apple Letter Matching Puzzles

August 2, 2022 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

It’s back to school season!

It always amazes me how fast summer goes by. But once school starts, it’s time to break out one of my very favorite early childhood education themes: apples!

So if you’re working with early learners who are practicing letter recognition, here’s a set of fun apple letter matching puzzles that can help!

Fun Apple Letter Matching Puzzles

These are fantastic for early literacy centers.

They’d also make good morning tub activities!

Apple Puzzles for Building Literacy

Keep reading to see how to get your copy of these literacy skill builders.

And, for more apple early learning fun, check out my Apple Counting One to Ten Puzzles too!

These apple letter matching puzzles are so fun for helping early learners build literacy skills!

Printable Apple Letter Matching Puzzles

To use these apple letter matching puzzles, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are listed below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

  • Printer (with ink)
  • Printer paper or cardstock
  • Laminator (optional)
  • Colored pencils (optional)
  • Scissors
Printable Apple Themed Letter Puzzles

This set of letter matching activities includes 26 apple puzzles.

Each features an uppercase and lowercase version of the same letter.

Apple Themed Literacy Center Puzzles

After you’ve printed the puzzles, cut them apart for students to practice matching the letters to their partners.

Printable Apple Letter Puzzles for Kids

A full blackline version is also included!

How to Use Letter Puzzles to Build Literacy

These are perfect for centers or small groups. You can cut them out as one piece if you are teaching letter recognition.

As students look at each apple, they can learn to recognize the uppercase and lowercase version of each letter.

Apple Letter Matching Puzzles for Kindergarten

Once they’re ready, it’s time to practice!

Cut the puzzles apart and students can match up the letters they just learned.

Apple Themed Letter Puzzles for Kindergarten

To make sure the puzzles last, you may want to either laminate them or print them on white cardstock.

Or both!

Using Letter Matching Puzzles at Centers

If you’re working with very young learners, print an extra set of the puzzles and leave them whole. Then put them on a ring as an answer key.

Students can check their work as they go!

Apple Letter Matching Puzzles Coloring Activity

If you use the blackline version, you can let your class color in the puzzles before matching them up.

How to Teach Uppercase and Lowercase Letters

Scroll down to get your set of these Apple Alphabet! Letter Matching Puzzles!

Need more apple-themed resources? Take a look at these!

This apple counting to ten math center for kindergarten is an excellent way to welcome students back to school with fun counting practice!
These apple shape tracing worksheets are so fun for helping students learn to build plane shapes!
This fun apple shape tracing activity is perfect for teaching shape recognition to early learners!
Matching Uppercase and Lowercase Letters with Kids

To get your set of these Apple Alphabet Matching Puzzles, pick them up in my Teachers Pay Teachers store or check them out below!

Make this simple toilet paper roll racecar craft with little ones for a quick transportation craft!

Easy Toilet Paper Racecar Craft for Kids

July 12, 2022 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Looking for an easy kid-friendly craft to add to your transportation unit?

This easy toilet paper racecar craft is perfect!

It’s simple, only requires a few supplies, and just plain cute too.

Easy Toilet Paper Roll Racecar Craft

One of the books I grew up with was Richard Scarry’s What Do People Do All Day?. I’m sure many of you remember that one too.

What always caught my eye was all the cars and trucks that moved through the town every day. (I think Sergeant Murphy was directing traffic in one of the scenes.)

Paper Roll Car Craft for Kids

Transportation is still a great theme for early learners, which makes this racecar craft a perfect project to make with preschoolers and kindergartners!

Make this simple toilet paper roll racecar craft with little ones for a quick transportation craft!

Read on to get the full instructions and printable template to make it with your students.

And, for more about transportation, check out our printable Racecar Scissor Skills Printables too!

Easy Toilet Paper Roll Racecar Craft

When you’re ready to make this craft, let your students choose what color they’d like. Any craft or construction paper works for this project.

Simple Paper Roll Car Craft for Kindergarten

To make this easy paper roll racecar, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are listed below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

  • Colored craft paper
  • Cardstock
  • Empty toilet paper roll
  • Pencil
  • Scissors
  • Ruler
  • Craft glue
  • Washable markers
  • Printer (with ink)
  • A copy of the Toilet Paper Roll Racecar Craft Template
How to Make a Paper Roll Race Car

After you’ve downloaded the Toilet Paper Roll Racecar Craft Template, print it out on cardstock paper. Use scissors to cut out the template pieces. (You may need to print two to have enough stripes to decorate your car.)

Making a Toilet Paper Racecar

Trace each of the template pieces onto the colored paper. Cut them out and you’re ready to get started.

If you’re working with multiple students, you may want to do this step in advance. Then the kids can get started right away.

How to Make a Toilet Paper Roll Race Car

First, wrap the colored craft paper around the empty toilet paper roll. Use scissors to cut off the excess paper.

Secure the ends with glue.

How to Make a Paper Roll Car

Trace the rectangle from the template onto the toilet paper roll.

How to Make a Racecar Out of a Toilet Paper Roll

Cut the rectangle shape out on three sides, leaving the edge closest to the front in place. (This step is best done by an adult.)

Reach into the toilet paper to push the cut sides up. This forms the “windshield” of the car.

Making an Easy Toilet Paper Roll Car

Cover the windshield with a piece of light blue craft paper. Glue it in place.

Simple Paper Roll Racecar

Trace the stripes onto craft paper and glue them onto the sides of the car.

Paper Roll Car Craft for Kids to Make

Make the rear wing by tracing the wing template and shorter stripes onto craft paper. Glue the stripes onto the wing and attach to the back of the car.

Trace (or draw) the number template and glue it to the side.

Cute Racecar Paper Roll Craft

Glue the wheels on and you’re done!

Toilet Paper Racecar Craft for Kids

You might choose to have your class make an entire fleet of cars!

Easy Race Car Craft for Kids

See how many different colors your students can use!

Try some of these other simple transportation crafts for kids to make!

Get ready for back to school with this super cute paper school bus craft for kids! So easy to make, even for little ones!
Get some early math practice with little ones and make this simple shape train craft!
This fun paper pirate ship craft is a perfect activity for a pirate unit!

Use playdough to add up to ten with this sunflower themed playdough math center!

Sunflower Playdough Making Ten Math Center

May 24, 2022 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Summer is here! And that means sunshine, sunscreen, and sunflowers!

When you’re thinking about back to school, a common theme is apples, which I love to use as well.

But many of us go back to school long before apple season. (Our district goes back during the last week of July.)

So if you’re looking for a simple early math center to get kids engaged during those early weeks, this sunflower making ten playdough math center is a great fit for first grade!

Making Ten Playdough Math Center

Any time I can make a resource hands-on, I jump at the chance.

And because you can use this with several kinds of manipulatives, it’s versatile. Which is great if you’re still trying to get your classroom supplies sorted at the start of the year.

Playdough Adding to Ten Math Center

Read on to see how to get your copy of this resource – free!

And, for more fun in the sun, take a look at our simple Coffee Filter Crab Craft!

Use playdough to add up to ten with this sunflower themed playdough math center!

Sunflower Making Ten Playdough Math Center

To use this early math center, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are used below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

  • Printer (with ink)
  • Printer paper
  • Laminator (optional)
  • Scissors
  • Playdough
Making Ten Playdough Math Center for Early Elementary

This resource includes ten sunflower addition circle cards – each displays a pair of numbers that equal a sum of 10.

There are also ten yellow ten frames inside.

Sunflower Make Ten Math Center

You can print the resource with regular printer paper if you’re only planning to use it once.

But if you intend to reuse it (like most of us teachers do), laminate the cards and ten frames before you cut them out.

How to Use The Making Ten Playdough Math Center

When you’re ready to begin this activity, ask your class about how we add numbers to make ten. If they’ve never done it before, have them hold up all ten fingers.

Walk them through adding a couple of different numbers to make ten.

For example, you could say: “Hold up all ten fingers. We’re going to count out three together. As we count each one, put that finger down. 1-2-3.”

Adding to Make Ten Math Center

They should have seven fingers still extended. Use this to show that 3+7 = 10. Repeat with a few other combinations.

Now you can demonstrate the activity.

At the center, put down an addition circle card and a ten frame. Use two different colors of playdough.

Make enough playdough balls to represent the first numeral. Then use the second color to make playdough balls that represent the second numeral.

Making Ten Math Center for Early Elementary

Show students how to count each group and then add them all up to make ten.

If you don’t have playdough, you can use just about any math manipulative you can think of.

Coins, buttons, stickers, math counters – even LEGO blocks or drawing circles with dry erase markers would work well.

Scroll down to get your copy of this Sunflower Making Ten Math Center!

Take a look at these other early math activities for centers!

Help early learners recognize plane shapes with this fun ice cream kindergarten shape sorting activity!
This printable cupcake themed Spanish number word matching activity is a perfect fit for math centers!
This apple counting to ten math center for kindergarten is an excellent way to welcome students back to school with fun counting practice!
Sunflower Playdough Making Ten Math Center

To get your copy of this sunflower adding to make ten center, click the image or the link below to have it sent directly to your inbox!

You’ll also get our weekly newsletter – coming this Sunday!

Click here to subscribe

>>> Sunflower Make Ten Playdough Center <<<

Learn about how butterflies grow with this fun and easy butterfly life cycle craft for kids!

Paper Plate Butterfly Life Cycle Craft for Kids

April 12, 2022 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Have you been studying butterfly life cycles with your students?

I always love this topic, because it’s so cool for kids to see how animals grow to become adults – just like they’re doing.

If you’re looking for a hands-on way to reinforce this concept, this paper plate butterfly life cycle craft is perfect!

Easy Butterfly Life Cycle Craft for Kids

With this easy science craft for kids, you can practice fine motor skills, get some artistic practice, and learn a science lesson. Win!

Simple Paper Plate Butterfly Craft

Read on to get the full project instructions and to pick up the printable template you’ll need to make this craft.

Need more ways to teach this to your class? Don’t miss our printable Butterfly Life Cycle Sequencing Activity!

Learn about how butterflies grow with this fun and easy butterfly life cycle craft for kids!

Easy Paper Plate Butterfly Life Cycle Craft

To make this easy butterfly life cycle craft, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are used below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

  • Printer (with ink)
  • Printer paper
  • Child-safe scissors
  • Construction paper
  • Washable markers
  • Pencil
  • Craft glue
  • Paper plate
  • Printable Butterfly Life Cycle Craft Template
Paper Plate Butterfly Life Cycle Craft

To get started, print out the Butterfly Craft Template, which includes the pieces you’ll need to make this project.

Use scissors to cut out the pieces. Then lay them on construction paper and use a pencil to trace each outline.

Caterpillar Craft Template Pieces

Cut out those pieces and you’re ready to get to work!

If you’re doing this with several children, you can prepare the body pieces beforehand. Then students can simply assemble the craft on their own.

How to Make the Paper Plate Life Cycle Craft

This butterfly life cycle craft project features four stages: egg, chrysalis, caterpillar, butterfly.

Start by assembling the egg stage.

Egg Stage Life Cycle Craft

Glue the leaves onto the branch piece. Then glue the three “eggs” on top.

Chrysalis Life Stage Craft

Now, move on to the chrysalis. Glue the chrysalis pod onto the lower branch, then attach the rounded corner on the left side.

If you like, you can use a marker to add ribbed lines along the right side.

Making a Paper Caterpillar

Now it’s time to assemble the caterpillar!

Start by gluing the antennae and legs onto the body pieces.

How to Make a Paper Caterpillar

Then use glue to attach the body pieces together and form the caterpillar.

Simple Caterpillar Craft for Kids

Add a happy face with a marker.

Butterfly Craft Paper Template Pieces

We can finally make the butterfly!

Glue the wing sections onto the wing template. Then glue the body section in the center of the wing template.

Add a happy face to the butterfly.

Butterfly Life Cycle Stages Craft

Once you’ve assembled all four life cycle stages, it’s time to place them in the right order.

Assembling the Butterfly Life Cycle Craft

Start by cutting out a piece of construction paper to fit inside the paper plate.

This is a good point to talk with students and ask:

  • Which stage is the first in the butterfly life cycle?
  • After that, which stage comes next?
Simple Butterfly Life Cycle Craft for Kids

Proceed through the entire cycle and, once students have identified the correct order, have them glue the stages onto the plate.

Butterfly Life Cycle Paper Plate Craft

And we’re done!

Paper Plate Butterfly Life Cycle Craft for Kids

It’s a craft, a science project, and a fine motor skill strengthener – all in one!

Get the printable project instructions below.

Paper Plate Butterfly Life Cycle Craft for Kids

Paper Plate Butterfly Life Cycle Craft

Learn about how butterflies grow from egg to adult with this fun paper plate butterfly life cycle craft!

Prep Time 15 minutes
Active Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Difficulty Easy

Materials

  • Printer paper
  • Construction paper
  • Washable markers
  • Pencil
  • Craft glue
  • Paper plate

Tools

  • Printer (with ink)
  • Child-safe scissors

Instructions

  1. Start by printing out the Printable Butterfly Life Cycle Craft Template.
  2. Cut out the template pieces.
  3. Trace the pieces onto construction paper.
  4. Cut out the construction paper pieces.
  5. Assemble the egg stage: Glue the leaves onto the first branch piece. Add the eggs on the leaf.
  6. Assemble the chrysalis stage: Glue the chrysalis pod onto the second branch piece. Add the rounded section to the left side.
  7. Assemble the caterpillar stage: Glue the antennae and legs onto the body circles. Glue the body circles together to form the caterpillar. Use a marker to draw a happy face.
  8. Assemble the butterfly stage: Glue the wing sections onto the wing template. Glue the body section in the center of the wing template. Use a marker to draw a happy face.
  9. Cut out a piece of construction paper to fit the center of the paper plate. Glue it down.
  10. Add the life cycle stages to the paper plate in the following order: butterfly at the top, then egg stage on the right side, caterpillar on the bottom, and chrysalis on the left side.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Epson EcoTank ET-3760 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer
  • SunWorks Construction Paper, 100 Sheets
    SunWorks Construction Paper, 100 Sheets
  • Fiskars Kids Scissors Softgrip Blunt-tip
    Fiskars Kids Scissors Softgrip Blunt-tip
© Selena Robinson
Project Type: Paper Crafts / Category: Crafts

Try some of these other spring craft projects for kids!

Gather up a few basic craft supplies and make this easy coffee filter frog craft for kids!
Make a fun spring animal craft with this easy toilet paper roll ladybug craft with wings that move!
This simple paper bee craft is a fun way to make an easy spring or summer craft with kids!

Learn how flowers grow from seed to plant with this hands-on flower life cycle sequencing activity!

Flower Life Cycle Sequencing Activity for Kids

March 29, 2022 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Are the flowers blooming where you are?

We always have an early blooming period before winter actually ends and then another frost before spring begins.

Now, though, we’re seeing flowers begin to bloom for the season.

So I wanted to share a printable science resource that’s perfect for spring – this flower life cycle sequencing activity!

Fun Flower Life Cycle Sequencing Activity for Kids

This is a great way to teach early learners how flowers grow from seed to plant!

And because it’s interactive, it makes a fantastic science center activity.

Teaching students how flowers grow

Read on to see how to get your copy.

And, for more fun with flowers, try our simple Coffee Filter Flower Craft for kids!

Learn how flowers grow from seed to plant with this hands-on flower life cycle sequencing activity!

Flower Life Cycle Sequencing Activity for Kids

To use this flower life cycle sequencing activity with students, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are listed below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

  • Printer (with ink)
  • Printer paper
  • Child-safe scissors
  • Glue stick
  • Laminator (optional)
  • Hook and loop adhesive coins (optional)
  • Dry erase markers (optional)
Easy Flower Life Cycle Sequencing Activity for Early Grades

This resource includes a flower life cycle mat, along with life stage circles.

There is a completed version inside that you can use to teach this sequence to your students.

Afterwards, they can practice completing the cycle in the correct order for themselves.

Labeling Stages of the Flower Life Cycle

Students who are already writing can use the labeling version to write the name of each step in the cycle.

Coloring the Life Cycle of a Flower

A full blackline version is included too!

How to Teach Early Learners about the Flower Life Cycle

This resource features a teaching script to help you introduce this topic to your class.

After you’ve opened with an initial discussion, you can use this activity in a few ways.

Flower Life Cycle Stage Labels

Use the labeled circles for students who are already reading words on their own.

Flower Life Cycle Sequencing Activity Labels

The unlabeled circles are best for young or pre-reading students. They’d be good for ELL learners also!

Flower Life Cycle Labeling Activity

If you’re using the labeling version of this flower life cycle sequencing activity, you can laminate the pages and let students write the names with dry erase markers.

Then you can just wipe them down and reuse them with the next group.

Using the Flower Life Cycle Activity at Centers

This is also a fantastic activity for science centers! Print the completed life cycle and then let students recreate the correct sequence on their own mat.

See this resource in action in the video below!

Scroll down to get your copy of this Flower Life Cycle Sequencing Activity!

Don’t miss these other spring teaching ideas for early grades!

Use this printable preschool spring activity calendar to plan 12 weeks of spring-themed activities for early learners!
This mini frog life cycle coloring book is so cute for spring animal science lessons!
Share this list of 50 spring books for kids with early readers!
Learning about the Flower Life Cycle

To get your copy of this flower life cycle activity for early grades, visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store or pick it up below!

Teach early learners about ladybugs this spring with this list of 20 fun ladybug books for kids to read! Great for a spring or insect unit in early grades!

20 Fun Ladybug Books for Kids to Read

March 15, 2022 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

When it comes to insects, I’m a bit of a fraidy cat.

I don’t mind teaching my students about them and I realize the valuable role they play in our ecosystems.

I just don’t want them anywhere near me.

Except for butterflies and ladybugs. In fact, I can actually pick a ladybug up without being scared.

So I quite enjoyed putting together this list of fun ladybug books for kids!

20 Fun Ladybug Books for Kids to Read

If you are planning a spring or insect unit with your class anytime soon, these children’s books about ladybugs will be a perfect fit!

Read on to see the full list.

And, for more ways to learn about insects, don’t miss our printable Butterfly Life Cycle Activity!

Teach early learners about ladybugs this spring with this list of 20 fun ladybug books for kids to read! Great for a spring or insect unit in early grades!

20 Fun Ladybug Books for Kids to Read

This list of kids’ books features both fiction and nonfiction selections for early ages.

There are stories about ladybugs and books that teach students about how ladybugs live and grow.

Fun Ladybug Picture Books for Kids

All of the books feature beautiful pictures that will make them engaging for young readers.

How to Use These Books with Early Learners

When you’re ready to read a few of these with your class, start by finding out how much your students already know about ladybugs.

Ask:

  • Has anyone seen a ladybug?
  • What do ladybugs look like?
  • What do you think ladybugs eat?
  • Can ladybugs fly?
Fun Books about Ladybugs for Kids to Read

After you discuss ladybugs together, pick out a few answers your students have given and call back to them as you read.

If your students are unfamiliar with ladybugs, you may want to read a non-fiction book that gives basic ladybug facts. Once they have learned a bit about them, try a storybook or two featuring a ladybug character.

See the full list of books about ladybugs below!

20 Fun Ladybug Books for Kids to Read

Get to know ladybugs, along with your early learners, with this list of 20 fun ladybug books for kids to read!

There are both fiction and non-fiction selections included, but all of the books feature gorgeous pictures that are engaging for young readers!

1

It's a Good Thing There Are Ladybugs by Joanne Mattern

Photo Credit: Amazon
2

The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle

Photo Credit: Amazon
3

The Life Cycle of a Ladybug by Colleen Sexton

Photo Credit: Amazon
4

Ten Little Ladybugs by Melanie Gerth

Photo Credit: Amazon
5

Lily The Ladybug by Brickmade Books

Photo Credit: Amazon
6

Ladybugs by Gail Gibbons

Photo Credit: Amazon
7

Ladybugs: Animals That Make a Difference! by Ashley Lee

Photo Credit: Amazon
8

Will Ladybug Hug? by Hilary Leung

Photo Credit: Amazon
9

You're My Little Cuddle Bug by Nicola Edwards

Photo Credit: Amazon
10

Lu, the Little Ladybug That Was Afraid to Fly by Yuliya Barannikova

Photo Credit: Amazon
11

A Ladybug's Life by John Himmelman

Photo Credit: Amazon
12

Lots of Ladybugs!: Counting by Fives by Michael Dahl

Photo Credit: Amazon
13

Colors with Ladybug by DK Books

Photo Credit: Amazon
14

The Brave Ladybug by Adenir Almeida

Photo Credit: Amazon
15

Are You A Ladybug? by Judy Allen

Photo Credit: Amazon
16

The Ladybug Who Lost Her Spots by Marybeth Stevens

Photo Credit: Amazon
17

Yoo-Hoo, Ladybug! by Mem Fox

Photo Credit: Amazon
18

Little Ladybug: Finger Puppet Book by Chronicle Books

Photo Credit: Amazon
19

The Very Lazy Ladybug by Isobel Finn

Photo Credit: Amazon
20

Counting with a Ladybug by DK Books

Photo Credit: Amazon

Try some of these other insect learning ideas and activities!

Make a fun spring animal craft with this easy toilet paper roll ladybug craft with wings that move!
This butterfly life cycle activity is such a fun way to help kids learn how butterflies grow! Great for science during spring and summer!
These bug identification printables are so fun for teaching kids about common insect species in the neighborhood!

Gather up a few basic craft supplies and make this easy coffee filter frog craft for kids!

Easy Coffee Filter Frog Craft for Kids

March 8, 2022 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Springtime is here and before long we’ll be seeing lots of frogs hopping around!

Frogs are a fun early learning theme for preschool and kindergarten. So if you’re looking for a simple frog art project, this coffee filter frog craft is a perfect fit!

Easy Coffee Filter Frog Craft for Kids

You’ll only need a few crafting supplies to make this.

And there’s a free printable template you can grab too!

Easy Frog Craft for Kids to Make

Read on to get the full project details.

Want to learn more about frogs? Take a look at our simple frog unit for more ways to teach early learners about these amphibians!

Gather up a few basic craft supplies and make this easy coffee filter frog craft for kids!

Easy Coffee Filter Frog Craft for Kids

To make this easy frog craft, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are listed below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

  • Printer (with ink)
  • Printer paper
  • Child-safe scissors
  • Crayons or colored pencils
  • White basket coffee filter
  • Construction paper
  • Glue stick
  • Washable markers
  • Printable Coffee Filter Frog Craft Template (available in blackline and color)
Making a Simple Coffee Filter Frog

After you print the craft template, choose either the blackline or color version to use.

Coffee Filter Frog Craft Printable Template

If you want your students to color the frog pieces for themselves, use the blackline version and hand out crayons or colored pencils.

If you’re short on time or working with very young children, the color version saves you a step.

How to Make a Simple Frog Craft for Kids

Once you’ve cut out your template pieces, it’s time to get started!

Easy Paper Frog Kids Craft

Color the white basket coffee filter green.

Lay the filter in the center of the piece of construction paper, but don’t glue it down yet.

Simple Frog Craft to Make with Kids

Place the frog feet on either side underneath the bottom edge of the coffee filter. Glue them down.

Then place the frog legs on either side underneath the side of the coffee filter. Glue them down.

You want them to appear behind the frog’s body (the coffee filter).

How to Make a Simple Frog Craft

Once you have the feet and legs glued in place, lay the coffee filter on top of both and glue it down.

Glue the eyes onto the top edge of the filter.

Cute Coffee Filter Frog Craft for Kids

Now – just use a marker to add a big smile and you’re done!

Making a Simple Coffee Filter Frog Craft

You can also add a few cattails or lily pads, if you like.

Simple Paper Frog Craft for Kids

Watch me make this coffee filter frog craft in the video below!

Get a printable copy of the coffee filter frog craft instructions below!

Easy Coffee Filter Frog Craft for Kids

Simple Paper Frog Craft for Kids

Make this easy coffee filter frog craft with early learners as part of a spring or pond unit!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Active Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Difficulty Easy

Materials

  • Printer paper
  • Crayons or colored pencils
  • White basket coffee filter
  • Construction paper
  • Glue stick
  • Washable markers
  • Printable Coffee Filter Frog Craft Template (available in blackline and color)

Tools

  • Printer (with ink)
  • Child-safe scissors

Instructions

  1. Begin by printing the Coffee Filter Frog Craft Template (available in blackline or color).
  2. If using the blackline version, have students color in the pieces with crayons or colored pencils.
  3. Use child-safe scissors to cut out the template pieces.
  4. Color the coffee filter green and lay it onto the center of a piece of construction paper. (Do not glue it down yet.)
  5. Place the frog feet pieces underneath the bottom edge of the coffee filter. Glue them in place.
  6. Place the frog legs on either side underneath the side edges of the coffee filter. Glue them in place.
  7. Lay the coffee filter on top of the feet and legs and glue it down to form the frog's body.
  8. Place the frog's eyes on the top edge of the coffee filter. Glue them in place.
  9. Use a marker to draw a big smile on the frog's face.
  10. Add any other decorations to the background with markers or crayons.

Notes

  • Let students add their own ideas to this craft by using different colors or adding unique facial expressions.
  • If you're making this craft as a class project for parent night, add a speech bubble for kids to fill in with their own lines they might have the frog say.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Epson EcoTank ET-3760 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer
    Epson EcoTank ET-3760 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer
  • Fiskars Kids Scissors Softgrip Blunt-tip
    Fiskars Kids Scissors Softgrip Blunt-tip
  • Melitta 600 Coffee Filters, Basket, Pack of 600, White
    Melitta 600 Coffee Filters, Basket, Pack of 600, White
© Selena Robinson
Project Type: Paper Crafts / Category: Crafts

Try some of these other spring animal crafts!

Make a fun spring animal craft with this easy toilet paper roll ladybug craft with wings that move!
Make this fun and easy origami pig bookmark craft as a fall art project!
This simple coffee filter turtle craft is a fun spring or summer craft for kids to make!

This mini frog life cycle coloring book is so cute for spring animal science lessons!

Printable Mini Frog Life Cycle Book for Kids

March 3, 2022 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Learning about how animals grow is always a fun unit for early learners.

Which is why I wanted to share this printable mini frog life cycle kids can color for themselves!

Frog Life Cycle Mini Coloring Book for Kids

This printable animal science resource is a perfect way to talk about the life cycle of frogs with kindergartners and first graders.

Plus, you can even use it for a spring unit or a spring animal unit you may be planning.

Frog Life Cycle Coloring Book for Kids

Read on to see how to get your copy – free!

And, be sure to take a look at how printable frog life cycle sequencing activity as well!

This mini frog life cycle coloring book is so cute for spring animal science lessons!

Printable Mini Frog Life Cycle Coloring Book for Kids

To use this coloring book, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are used below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

  • Printer (with ink)
  • Printer paper
  • Child-safe scissors
  • Colored pencils or crayons
  • Stapler
Frog Life Cycle Coloring Activity

After you’ve printed all of the pages, you can hand them out to students.

Learning about the Frog Life Cycle

Walk them through each life stage on the coloring sheets – starting with the egg stage and progressing through to the adult frog stage.

Printable Frog Life Cycle Coloring Book

Ask your class to recite the stages in order with you to make sure they understand the correct order.

How to Make a Frog Life Cycle Book with Early Learners

To make this mini book together, let the students color each page.

Printable Frog Mini Coloring Book

Then, they can use child-safe scissors to cut out each one and place them in a stack.

Make sure they put the pages in the correct order!

How Frogs Grow for Kids

Staple the pages together on the left edge and have them add their name to the front.

Done!

Get a look at the completed frog life cycle book in the video below!

Scroll down to get your copy of this mini frog life cycle book!

Take a look at these other spring learning ideas for early grades!

Use this printable plant growing journal to help early learners document the ways plants grow at home or in the classroom!
These spring sight words learning cards are great for building reading skills!
Teach students how to care for the planet with these books about recycling for kids to read!
Making a Frog Life Cycle Coloring Book

To get your copy of this free mini coloring book for kids, click the image or the link below to have it sent directly to your inbox!

You’ll also get our newsletter – coming this Sunday!

Click here to subscribe

>>> Frog Life Cycle Coloring Book <<<

Teach kids about shapes with these fun shape books for kids to read!

Over 25 Fun Shape Books for Kids to Read

February 22, 2022 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Introducing shapes is one of my favorite early learning concepts.

They’re so fun to teach because they’re all around us! And that makes it a great lesson for getting kids involved and applying what they learn in real life.

You can also talk about shapes during read-aloud time. These fun shape books for kids to read are a great place to start!

Over 25 Fun Shape Books for Kids to Read

This list is filled with beautiful picture books that talk about shapes in real life and in stories.

Read on to see all of the selections.

And, if you’re looking for a way to practice recognizing shapes with students, take a look at our Shape Sorting Activity Mats too!

Teach kids about shapes with these fun shape books for kids to read!

Over 25 Fun Shape Books for Kids to Read

This list of shape-themed children’s books is such a fun way to combine math and reading in early grades.

Each of the selections features either a fictional story involving shapes or a colorful non-fiction lesson about identifying each one.

Over 25 Books about Shapes for Kids

As you look through the list, try to find three or four that might resonate with your students in particular.

For example, if your school is close to a metropolis, the book “City Shapes” might be an especially good fit. Or, if you’ll be studying spiders soon, try the book “Walter’s Wonderful Web”.

How to Share These Books with Early Learners

A simple way to use these is to talk about the shapes your students already know.

Ask:

  • What shapes can you see around the classroom?
  • This shape has three sides. What is its name?
  • Can you think of a shape that has no sides?
Over 25 Shape Books for Kids

As you discuss this topic with your class, look for answers you can call back to as you read the books together.

See the list of shape books for kids below!

Over 25 Fun Shape Books for Kids to Read

Introduce early learners to all kinds of shapes with these lovely children's picture books about shapes!

Note: This list contains affiliate links. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.

1

Mouse Shapes by Ellen Stoll Walsh

Photo Credit: Amazon
2

Big Box of Shapes (Basic Concepts)

Photo Credit: Amazon
3

Walter's Wonderful Web: A First Book About Shapes

Photo Credit: Amazon
4

City Shapes by Diana Murray

Photo Credit: Amazon
5

I spy with my little eye... SHAPES by Maria Yiangou

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6

The Book of Cute Shapes

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7

National Geographic Kids Look and Learn: Shapes!

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8

Round Is a Tortilla: A Book of Shapes by Roseanne Thong

Photo Credit: Amazon
9

When a Line Bends . . . A Shape Begins by Rhonda Gowler Greene

Photo Credit: Amazon
10

Books That Drive Kids CRAZY!: This Is a Ball by Beck & Matt Stanton

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11

My First Shapes with Frank Lloyd Wright

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12

My Shape is Sam by Amanda Jackson

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13

Snippets: A Story about Paper Shapes by Diane Alber

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14

Circus Shapes by Stuart J. Murphy

Photo Credit: Amazon
15

My Turn To Learn Shapes by Natalie Marshall

Photo Credit: Amazon
16

Tangled: A Story About Shapes by Anne Miranda

Photo Credit: Amazon
17

This Is a Book of Shapes by Kenneth Kraegel

Photo Credit: Amazon
18

My Very First Book of Shapes by Eric Carle

Photo Credit: Amazon
19

Shapes by John J. Reiss

Photo Credit: Amazon
20

Shape by Shape by Use McDonald

Photo Credit: Amazon
21

Wild About Shapes by Jeremie Fischer

Photo Credit: Amazon
22

Paris: A Book of Shapes by Ashley Evanson

Photo Credit: Amazon
23

Shapes in the Sky: A Book About Clouds by Josepha Sherman

Photo Credit: Amazon
24

Captain Invincible and the Space Shapes by Stuart J. Murphy

Photo Credit: Amazon
25

Brown Rabbit's Shapes by Alan Baker

Photo Credit: Amazon
26

Zac the Robot: A Book About Shapes by Stephanie Lanier

Photo Credit: Amazon

Take a look at these other ideas for teaching about shapes!

Get some early math practice with little ones and make this simple shape train craft!
Use these fun and simple farm themed shape mats to help early learners practice forming eight different shapes!
These apple seek shape sorting worksheets are such a fun way to help early learners practice shape recognition!

Use this printable plant growing journal to help early learners document the ways plants grow at home or in the classroom!

Printable Plant Growing Journal for Kids

February 15, 2022 by Selena Robinson 2 Comments

Do you remember growing your first plant?

I do. We did a plant growing experiment when I was in elementary school and all of us grew sprouts from beans.

Then we planted the sprouts in dirt-filled styrofoam cups and watched them grow next to the windowsill.

I had that experiment in mind when I decided to make this printable mini plant growing journal!

Fun Mini Plant Growing Journal for Kids

If you’re working on a spring or plant unit, this is a great (and simple) resource to add.

And it complements a plant growing experiment perfectly!

Plant Growing Journal for Early Learners

Keep reading to see how to get your copy – free!

And, for more about how plants grow, take a look at our list of children’s books about flowers!

Use this printable plant growing journal to help early learners document the ways plants grow at home or in the classroom!

Mini Plant Growing Journal for Kids

To use this mini picture journal, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are listed below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

  • Printer (with ink)
  • Printer paper
  • Pencils
  • Colored pencils or crayons
Printable Mini Plant Journal

This printable is a foldable four-page journal for early elementary students to document how their plants grow.

On each page, they can draw what the plant looks like after two, three, and four weeks.

Printable Plant Coloring Journal for Kids

Both color and blackline versions are included.

How to Use the Plant Growing Journal with Early Learners

A simple way to use this is ask the class some of these questions:

  • Does anyone know how a plant grows?
  • Do any of you have plants at home?
  • What do you think a plant needs to grow?
Printable Plant Growing Journal for Kids

As you discuss the questions with your class, talk about how plants begin as seeds and then gradually grow over time – thanks to water, sunlight, and good soil.

How to Grow Plants with Early Learners

If you decide to do a plant-growing experiment in the classroom, you can hand the journals out on the first day.

Then have the students report on their plant’s progress each week afterwards.

Scroll down to get your copy of this mini growing journal – free!

Try some of these other spring teaching ideas!

Share this list of 50 spring books for kids with early readers!
Make this easy toilet paper roll chick craft with kids this spring!
These spring sight words learning cards are great for building reading skills!
Printable Mini Plant Journal for Kids

To get your copy of this printable Plant Growing Journal, click the image or the link below to have it sent directly to your inbox!

You’ll also get our weekly newsletter this Sunday!

Click here to subscribe

>>> Mini Grow A Plant Journal for Kids <<<

Make this easy toilet paper roll chick craft with kids this spring!

Easy Toilet Paper Roll Chick Craft for Kids

February 8, 2022 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

The air is still cold, but spring is right around the corner!

Before we know it, we’ll be seeing birds migrate back. And it won’t be long after that before we hear the chirps of baby birds.

Which is why I wanted to share this simple spring animal craft – a toilet paper roll chick craft for kids to make!

Simple Toilet Paper Roll Chick Craft

This is a super easy spring kids’ craft that only takes a few supplies you already have.

Always a plus in my book.

It would make an excellent addition to a spring unit or a farm unit (in either spring or fall) as well!

Making a Toilet Paper Roll Chick Craft

Read on to get the instructions and the free printable craft template.

Need more fun early learning ideas for spring? Take a look at our printable Farm Dot Shape Mats too!

Make this easy toilet paper roll chick craft with kids this spring!

Easy Toilet Paper Roll Chick Craft for Kids

To make this toilet paper roll chick craft, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are listed below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

  • Empty toilet paper roll
  • Colored craft paper
  • Craft glue
  • Child-safe scissors
  • Washable markers (optional)
  • Wiggly eyes (optional)
  • Printable Toilet Paper Roll Chick Template (color)
  • Printable Toilet Paper Roll Chick Template (black/white)
  • Printer (with ink)
  • Printer paper
How to Make a Toilet Roll Chick Craft

Once you’ve printed out the color or the black/white chick craft template, use scissors to cut out each piece.

Easy Toilet Roll Baby Chick for KIds to Make

You’ll notice that there are eyes included on the template. So you can cut those out and simply glue them on the finished chick.

Or you can use wiggly eyes instead.

How to Make a Toilet Paper Roll Chick Craft

Now that you have all of the craft template pieces cut out, you can trace them onto craft paper. Then cut them out and you’re ready to get started!

Making a Paper Baby Chick Craft with Kids

Begin by gluing the beak and chest pieces onto the center of the body piece.

You’ll want to glue the chest on first, then add the beak so that it overlaps.

How to Make a Baby Chick Craft

Fold each of the wing’s flat edges up. They’ll be used to attach the wings onto each side of the chick’s body.

Easy Paper Baby Chick Craft for Kids

Wrap the body piece around the empty toilet paper roll and secure it with glue in the back.

Then glue the flat wing edges against each side of the body so that one wing is on the left and the other on the right.

We’re almost done!

Making a Paper Roll Chick

Attach the “comb” (the crest at the top) by gluing it inside the top of the toilet paper roll.

Easy Paper Roll Baby Chick Craft

Then add the wiggly eyes! Or you can add the eye template pieces if you cut those out instead.

How to Make a Baby Chick Out of a Toilet Paper Roll

Ta-da! We’re finished!

How to Make a Toilet Roll Baby Chick Craft

If you decide to use the black and white version of the template, kids can color each piece before they put the chick together.

This is a perfect spring craft for parents’ night! Your class can make an entire brood of chicks!

See the printable instructions for this toilet paper roll chick craft below.

Easy Toilet Paper Roll Chick Craft for Kids

Easy Toilet Roll Baby Chick for KIds to Make

Make up this simple toilet paper roll chick craft for a spring or farm animal craft with young learners!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Active Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Difficulty Easy

Materials

  • Toilet paper roll
  • Empty toilet paper roll
  • Colored craft paper
  • Craft glue
  • Washable markers (optional)
  • Wiggly eyes (optional)
  • Printable Toilet Paper Roll Chick Template (color)
  • Printable Toilet Paper Roll Chick Template (black/white)
  • Printer paper

Tools

  • Child-safe scissors
  • Printer (with ink)

Instructions

  1. Print out each the color chick craft template or the black and white chick craft template.
  2. Cut out each template piece using scissors. (If you are using the black and white template, you may want to color the pieces before cutting them out.)
  3. Trace each template piece onto colored craft paper and cut them out.
  4. Glue the chest onto the center of the body piece.
  5. Glue the beak so that it directly overlaps the chest.
  6. Wrap the body piece around the empty toilet paper roll and glue the edges down in the back.
  7. Fold the flat edge of each wing piece at a right angle.
  8. Attach each wing to the left and right side of the body by gluing the folded edges to the body.
  9. Glue the crest inside the top of the paper roll.
  10. Add wiggly eyes or glue the eye templates onto the face.
© Selena Robinson
Project Type: Paper Crafts / Category: Crafts

Try some of these other spring craft projects for kids!

Add some crafting fun to your farm unit with this fun 3D paper barn craft for kids!
This simple paper bee craft is a fun way to make an easy spring or summer craft with kids!
Share an easy summer craft with the kids and make this easy paper ladybug craft! So fun for little hands!

Teach students how to care for the planet with these books about recycling for kids to read!

Over 20 Books about Recycling for Kids to Read

February 1, 2022 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Earth Day is a major early elementary theme for classrooms during spring.

And, of course, one of the most important concepts we teach students in this unit is how to recycle.

If your students are new to the idea of recycling and reusing materials, this list of over 20 books about recycling for kids is a great way to get them started!

Over 20 Recycling Books for Kids to Read

In this list of children’s books, you’ll find fiction and non-fiction selections.

There are books that talk about why recycling is important, how to recycle materials at home, and people who have made a difference in their communities by recycling.

Keep reading to see the full list.

And, for more ways to introduce recycling, check out this list of easy recycled crafts for kids to make too!

Teach students how to care for the planet with these books about recycling for kids to read!

Over 20 Books about Recycling for Kids

Some of the books in this list are particularly good for pre-readers and early childhood classrooms.

The lift-the-flap books and board books, such as “Find Out About: Saving Our Planet”, are geared toward toddlers and preschoolers.

Recyling Books for Kids to Read

On the other hand, if you have early elementary students in your class, the stories “Nico’s New Necklace” and “This Class Can Save the World” are great for talking about the impact recycling can have on our planet.

How to Introduce Recycling Books to Early Learners

If you’re using these books with early learners, you might start by asking the class:

  • Has anyone ever heard of recycling?
  • What do you think recycling means?
  • Does anyone know why recycling is important?
Books about Recycling for Kids

As students talk about this topic, you can find out what they know and then help them fill in any gaps with selected books from this list.

Be sure to encourage them to find materials they can recycle at home.

You might even ask them to bring in a few to make some recycled crafts!

Get a look at the full booklist below.

Over 20 Books about Recycling for Kids to Read

This list of books about recycling for kids features picture book selections that are perfect for early elementary students.

Use these as part of an Earth Day unit or to introduce recycling in the classroom!

Note: Affiliate links are used in this list. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.

1

I Can Save the Earth!: One Little Monster Learns to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle (Little Green Books)

Photo Credit: Amazon
2

Where Do Recyclable Materials Go? Read, Think, Recycle (Garbology Kids)

Photo Credit: Amazon
3

I Am Earth: An Earth Day Book for Kids (I Am Learning: Educational Series for Kids)

Photo Credit: Amazon
4

Recycling! (Helping Hands Series)

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5

Recycling Is Fun (My Little Planet) by Charles Ghigna

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6

This Class Can Save the Planet by Stacy Tornio

Photo Credit: Amazon
7

Fly Guy Presents: Garbage and Recycling by Tedd Arnold

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8

The Plastic Problem: 60 Small Ways to Reduce Waste and Help Save the Earth

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9

Nico's New Necklace: Nico and the Pollution Problem

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10

Milk and Juice: A Recycling Romance

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11

The Three R's: Reuse, Reduce, Recycle by Núria Roca

Photo Credit: Amazon
12

Why Should I Recycle? (Why Should I? Books)

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13

What Does It Mean to Be Green?: A Picture Book about Making Eco Friendly Choices and Saving the Planet! by Rana DiOrio

Photo Credit: Amazon
14

One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia by Miranda Paul

Photo Credit: Amazon
15

What a Waste: Trash, Recycling, and Protecting our Planet by Jess French

Photo Credit: Amazon
16

Recycle!: A Handbook for Kids by Gail Gibbons

Photo Credit: Amazon
17

Don't Throw That Away!: A Lift-the-Flap Book about Recycling and Reusing

Photo Credit: Amazon
18

The Last Straw: Kids vs. Plastics

Photo Credit: Amazon
19

Stuff!: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle by Steven Kroll

Photo Credit: Amazon
20

Find Out About: Saving Our Planet

Photo Credit: Amazon
21

Let's Recycle! (Bullfrog Books: Kids Living Green)

Photo Credit: Amazon
22

Michael Recycle by Ellie Bethel

Photo Credit: Amazon

Take a look at these other collections of children’s books!

Share this list of 50 spring books for kids with early readers!
Share some of these books about pets for kids with young readers!
Share some of these lovely beach books for kids this summer!

Make a fun spring animal craft with this easy toilet paper roll ladybug craft with wings that move!

Easy Toilet Paper Roll Ladybug Craft for Kids

January 27, 2022 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

I’ll be honest.

I’m not the biggest fan of insects.

And I live in the South, where every spring and summer is basically an insect family reunion, so those months are a little bit of a struggle for me.

But I do like ladybugs. They’re so adorable that I’ll even pick them up to show the kids.

So I wanted to share a super cute (and easy!) toilet paper roll ladybug craft that will be perfect for a spring or insect unit with early learners!

Easy Toilet Paper Roll Ladybug Craft

This project only requires a few crafting supplies that you likely already have.

And it’s so cute too!

How to Make a Ladybug with a Paper Roll

Keep reading to get the full instructions and the printable template.

And, for more spring learning ideas in early grades, take a look at our All About Flowers Early Elementary Unit!

Make a fun spring animal craft with this easy toilet paper roll ladybug craft with wings that move!

Easy Toilet Paper Roll Ladybug Craft for Kids

This simple ladybug is a great spring craft for kids to make.

You can walk students through each step and let them add their own ideas as they go along.

They’d be perfect for a spring class display or for parent night!

Paper Roll Ladybug Craft

To make this spring craft, you’ll need the following: (Affiliate links are used below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

  • Empty toilet paper roll
  • Printer (with ink)
  • Printer paper
  • Pencil
  • Scissors
  • Construction paper
  • Plastic wire – or – brass paper fastener
  • Wiggly eyes
  • Glue stick
  • Printable ladybug template (Blackline or color)
Making a Toilet Paper Roll Ladybug Craft

Once you’ve printed the template, you can get started by tracing the pieces onto construction paper.

If you plan to cut the pieces out yourself, regular scissors will do. But if you want your students to complete that step, be sure to use child-safe scissors.

A note: If you use the blackline template, you can have your students color the pieces in too!

How to Make a Paper Roll Ladybug

Now we’re ready to get started.

How to Make a Toilet Paper Roll Ladybug

Begin by wrapping the black body piece around the empty toilet roll.

Use glue to secure the ends.

Making a Toilet Roll Ladybug

Take a sharpened pencil or the point of a pair of scissors and make a small hole about 1/3 of the way from the top of the toilet roll.

This step should only be completed by an adult.

You may want to prepare the rolls to this step in advance before you have the kids get involved.

Easy Toilet Roll Ladybug Craft for Kids

Cut a piece of plastic wire and bend it into a narrow semi-circle. You’ll use this to attach the bug’s “wings”.

Lay the two wing pieces on top of each other so that the points of the wings overlap.

Easy Toilet Roll Insect Craft

Press the open ends of the wire together to close the loop.

Then poke both ends through the overlapping wings.

Making a Paper Roll Ladybug

Use glue to attach the ladybug’s spots to both of the wings.

How to Make a Ladybug from a Toilet Paper Roll

Now it’s time to attach the wings!

Press the closed wire loop through the hole in the toilet roll. The wings should appear on top.

Toilet Paper Roll Ladybug Craft for Kids

Use glue to attach the antenna inside the front edge of the toilet roll.

You’ll want them to appear towards the front.

Smiling Ladybug Craft with a Toilet Paper Roll

All that’s left to do now is to add the face!

The templates include paper eyes, so you can have students use those. Or you can stick a pair of wiggly eyes on instead.

Simple Paper Roll Ladybug for Kids

Then cut out a small smile.

Glue it on and we’re all done!

Making a Simple Ladybug from a Paper Roll

Ta-da! Let students make their bugs fly by moving the wings out and in.

See the printable toilet paper roll ladybug craft project instructions below!

Easy Toilet Paper Roll Ladybug Craft for Kids

Easy Paper Roll Ladybug Craft

Make up a quick spring animal craft with this fun toilet paper roll ladybug craft! The wings actually move!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Active Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Difficulty Easy

Materials

  • Empty toilet paper roll
  • Construction paper
  • Printer paper
  • Wiggly eyes
  • Plastic wire

Tools

  • Printer
  • Scissors
  • Glue stick

Instructions

  1. Start by printing the Blackline Ladybug Craft Template or the Color Ladybug Craft Template. (If you use the blackline version, have students color the pieces before proceeding.)
  2. Trace the template pieces onto construction paper and cut them out.
  3. Wrap the body piece around the empty toilet paper roll. Use glue to secure the ends.
  4. Use a sharp point to poke a hole in the top 1/3 of the toilet paper roll. (Only adults should complete this step.)
  5. Cut a piece of plastic wire and bend it into a narrow semicircle.
  6. Overlap the ladybug's wings and poke a small hole through both of them.
  7. Press the open ends of the wire together and push the closed ends through the hole in both wings.
  8. Glue the ladybug's spots onto each of the wings.
  9. Press the closed end of the wire (with the wings) through the hole in the paper roll. The wings should appear on the front.
  10. Glue the antenna onto the inside front edge of the paper roll.
  11. Add wiggly eyes.
  12. Cut out a small smile and glue it under the eyes.

Notes

Make an entire family of ladybugs! Try letting students choose different colors or make different facial expressions.

© Selena Robinson
Project Type: Paper Crafts / Category: Crafts

Try some of these other spring animal crafts for kids too!

Make this easy toilet paper roll chick craft with kids this spring!
This simple paper bee craft is a fun way to make an easy spring or summer craft with kids!
Share an easy summer craft with the kids and make this easy paper ladybug craft! So fun for little hands!

Make the most of your recyclables with this list of fun recycled crafts for kids to create!

Over 25 Easy Recycled Craft Ideas for Kids to Make

January 25, 2022 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

We all want to do what we can to make our planet safer for future generations.

And one of the easiest things we can do now is to recycle materials we no longer need. Every time we reuse something, we save it from the landfill for a bit longer.

And that’s always a good thing.

Today I’m sharing over 25 easy recycled craft ideas for kids to make!

Over 25 Recycled Crafts for Kids

These are fantastic for in-class projects or parents who want to make crafts with their kids at home!

And they all make use of materials that can be reused, so they’re a wonderful introduction to the idea of recycling and repurposing too.

Read on to see the full list.

And be sure to take a look at our Coffee Filter Earth Craft if you’re looking for more Earth Day ideas!

Make the most of your recyclables with this list of fun recycled crafts for kids to create!

What You Need to Try These Easy Recycled Craft Ideas for Kids

Most of these crafts use materials you likely already have, such as paper towel and tissue paper rolls.

Here are some other recycled materials that are good for making recycled crafts:

  • Empty plastic bottles
  • Cardboard (whole or scrap)
  • Compact discs
  • Shoeboxes

In most cases, as long as the recycled material is clean, you can use it as a base for a craft project.

Fun Recycled Crafts for Kids to Make

How to Use Recycled Craft Ideas with Students

Many of these recycled crafts feature animals, so they’d make a great project for a science unit such as zoo animals, the forest, or winter.

You can also use any of these as a craft project for an Earth Day or a recycling unit. Invite your students to save recyclables from home and bring them in to participate!

Recycled Crafts Books for Kids

Would you like even more ways to make use of recycled materials with young learners?

Here are a few books with plenty of kids’ crafts that use recyclables too! (Affiliate links are listed below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)

  • Cardboard Creations: Open-Ended Exploration with Recycled Materials
  • Fun and Easy Crafting with Recycled Materials: 60 Cool Projects that Reimagine Paper Rolls, Egg Cartons, Jars and More
  • Low-Mess Crafts for Kids: 72 Projects to Create Your Own Magical Worlds
  • Cardboard Creations for Kids: 50 Fun and Inventive Crafts Using Recycled Materials

Get a look at the full list of easy recycled crafts below!

Over 25 Easy Recycled Craft Ideas for Kids to Make

Try some of these easy recycled craft ideas for kids to make! There are crafts here that work for all seasons and for kids of all ages!

1

Easy Toilet Paper Roll Ladybug Craft for Kids

Make up a quick spring animal craft with this fun toilet paper roll ladybug craft! The wings actually move!

2

Watercolor & Recycled Newspaper Flower Craft

Photo Credit: whereimaginationgrows.com

Gather up pieces of newspaper and watercolor paints to create these paper flowers!

3

DIY Recycled Plastic Bottle Poppy Craft

Photo Credit: www.muminthemadhouse.com

Turn bottles into flowers with this plastic bottle poppy craft!

4

Earth Day Recyclable Necklace Craft

Photo Credit: littlebinsforlittlehands.com

This earth-themed necklace craft is perfect for Earth Day!

5

Kids Craft: Recycled Tin Can Windsocks

Photo Credit: www.happinessishomemade.net

Hang these recycled tin can windsocks on the front porch!

6

Recycled Bubble Wrap Tree Craft

Photo Credit: raisinglittlesuperheroes.com

Use the bubble wrap from your packages to make this tree craft!

7

Easy Fall Snow Globe Craft for Kids

Have an old baby food jar lying around? Turn it into a fall snow globe!

8

Moving Windmill Recycled Craft

Photo Credit: emmaowl.com

Use plastic cups to make these windmills that actually turn!

9

Easy Paper Bag Fox Craft for Kids

Make a paper bag fox (and forest friends)!

10

Recycled Cardboard Rainbow Craft

Photo Credit: www.stillplayingschool.com

Use old cardboard to make a recycled rainbow!

11

Easy Paper Roll Rocket Craft for Kids

Make a set of rockets out of paper towel rolls!

12

Recycled CD Flamingo Kids Craft

Photo Credit: www.iheartartsncrafts.com

Use an old CD to create a flamingo with kids!

13

Easy Toilet Paper Roll Snowman Craft for Kids

Empty paper rolls make perfect winter snowmen (and snowwomen)!

14

Recycled Apple Craft

Photo Credit: www.notimeforflashcards.com

Make a simple apple craft with cardboard and paint!

15

Easy Toilet Paper Roll Fox Craft for Kids

Make an adorable fox out of an empty toilet paper roll!

16

Weaving for Kids- a Recycled Plastic Bottle Craft

Photo Credit: www.kitchentableclassroom.com

Ever heard of t-shirt yarn? Cut up a few old shirts to make this yarn-woven craft!

17

Easy Toilet Paper Roll Owl Craft for Kids

Use old toilet paper rolls to make a family of cute owls!

18

Colorful Butterfly Craft

Photo Credit: theresjustonemommy.com

Magazine pages make perfect butterfly wings in this recycled craft!

19

Easy Lion Toilet Paper Roll Craft for Kids

This toilet paper roll lion craft is so cute for a zoo unit!

20

Farm Shoebox Diorama Craft

Head down to the farm with this easy shoebox farm diorama!

21

Engineering 201: DIY Recycled Suspension Bridge

Photo Credit: leftbraincraftbrain.com

Take spare cardboard and turn it into a STEM activity with this recycled suspension bridge project!

22

Easy Toilet Roll Butterfly Craft for Kids

Colorful coffee filters and empty paper rolls are all you need for these cute butterflies!

23

Easy Toilet Paper Roll Chick Craft for Kids

Make up this simple toilet paper roll chick craft for a spring or farm animal craft with young learners!

24

Bumble Bee Craft for Kids Using Recycled Materials

Photo Credit: buggyandbuddy.com

Make adorable bumblebees with just a few recycled materials!

25

Super Cute Printable Farm Paper Bag Puppets

Make a set of barnyard animals from brown paper bags!

26

Beach Shoebox Diorama Craft

Take a trip to the beach with this easy recycled shoebox beach diorama craft!

Try these simple craft ideas for kids too!

Get some early math practice with little ones and make this simple shape train craft!
Make this fun and easy origami pig bookmark craft as a fall art project!
This fun paper pirate ship craft is a perfect activity for a pirate unit!

Get some early math practice with little ones and make this simple shape train craft!

Easy Shape Train Craft for Kids

January 20, 2022 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

Shapes are one of my very favorite concepts to cover with preschoolers and kindergarteners.

They’re all around us, so it’s fun to show students the circle in the clock on the wall or the square in the window.

Transportation is another of my favorite themes for preschool.

Which makes this easy shape train craft a perfect way to teach both at the same time!