Leaf Craft For Kids: How To Make Cute Ladybugs & More

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This leaf craft for kids is such a cool way to enjoy an art activity that combines nature and creativity.

With just a few supplies, your children can transform leaves that they find in your yard, park, or on a walk into cute ladybugs and more. This DIY project encourages wonderful growth mindset skills, like thinking outside the box and watching ideas come to life.

I'm sharing my tips for customizing this ladybug leaf craft for fall fun or anytime of year. Get ready for some frugal craft fun with leaves!

Turn Leaves Into Amazing Artwork

Would you like an engaging art activity to enjoy with your kids this fall? Need a frugal craft that mixes nature with creativity? Or perhaps you're preparing a lesson featuring the letter "L" and would like to use leaves in a project?

Well, this simple leaf craft for kids is a sensational way to do all of those things and more!

As autumn approaches, I find myself thinking of fall activities that my boys and I have enjoyed over the years. So many games, nature walks, apple picking, pumpkin farm trips, and crafts!

I remember how excited my boys would be when we could combine activities. For example, after picking apples (we have a tree in our yard), we'd slice an apple in half. They'd always marvel at dipping the apple half in paint and using as a stamp.

This craft (featuring leaves that transform into ladybugs) has been a family favorite. A super cool thing about this craft is that you can let your kids' imaginations soar. Keep reading for ideas and prompts!

Suggested Supplies for Your Leaf Craft

This nature + art project only requires a few supplies. And one of those supplies can be found for free outdoors!

I encourage you to go on a nature walk if possible. Take some time closely looking at the leaves that you find. Collect a variety of colors and shapes.

The examples in this project use fall leaves. If you're enjoying this leaf craft for kids at another time of year, no worries! Use what you can find.

• Fall leaves
• Scissors
• Paper
• Sharpie or black marker
• Glue stick
• Optional: other colors of markers, glitter, glitter glue, stickers, stamps, googly eyes

Westcott 13168 Right- and Left-Handed Scissors, Kids' Scissors, Ages 4-8, 5-Inch Blunt Tip, Assorted, 2 Count (Pack of 1)Colorations Construction Paper for Kids - 7 Bright Colors - 600 Bulk Sheets of 9Elmer's bundle Washable Liquid School Glue, White, Dries Clear, 4 fl oz Plus Disappearing Purple Elmer's School Glue Stick, 7g, 2pkSharpie Electro Pop Permanent Markers, Fine Point, Assorted Colors, 24 CountSHARPIE Permanent Markers Variety Pack, Featuring Fine, Ultra-Fine, and Chisel-Point Markers, Black, 6 CountBAZIC 6 Color Glitter Glue Set 20 Milliliter Bottles - Classic Colors - Green, Gold, red, Silver, Blue, and Purple750pcs Wiggle Eyes Self-Adhesive Googly Eyes, 4mm~18mm

How to Make This Ladybug Leaf Craft for Kids

01

Gather leaves and trim

Go on a walk (or in your yard) and collect leaves. If you're making ladybugs, try to find oval-shaped and red.

02

Glue the leaves

Use a glue stick (or white glue) to attach to a piece of paper. Allow the glue to dry.

03

Draw the head of the ladybug

Use a black marker to draw a ladybug head at the trimmed end of the leaf.

03

Draw the spots

Using the black marker, draw spots on the leaves. You can use traditional circles or different shapes.

04

Draw the legs and antenna

Add 6 legs and antenna to your leaf ladybug. Add a little bend midway down each leg.

If you'd like, add googly eyes or other extras.

Creative Ways to Customize This Art Activity

The options for customizing this leaf craft are almost endless. You can most certainly stick with a ladybug theme (especially if using for a letter "L" lesson - double Ls!). But, you may want to use one of our other ideas, like making leaf:

• animals
• people
• faces
• cars and other vehicles
• fall themes - scarecrow, pumpkin, apple
• birds, like turkeys or cardinals
• letters
• numbers

Extra craft materials, like glitter and pom poms, can add textures and 3D effects. Oh, and watercolor paints, tempera paint, or paint sticks (like Kwik Stix) can be used for incredible backgrounds!

Boost Nature and Art Time for Kids!

I think it's delightful when you can a kids activity combines subjects (like nature and art) AND is frugal. Bonus points for being so easy to tweak for using for different seasons, holidays, and educational themes!

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