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Valentine’s Day is such a fun time of year for kids and there are so many crafts that you can do with your toddler, preschooler, or elementary-aged kids to take a little time to show them you care!
This love bug craft is quick and easy to make and you can put those cardboard toilet paper rolls to a fun use, too.
Cardboard toilet paper crafts are fun since everyone has them around the house (it’s nice to always have a few saved in your craft stash), and you can transform them into something totally different like Paper Rocket Ships!
Looking for more Valentine’s Day crafts and activities? Check out:
- Valentine’s Day Bingo, Tic-Tac-Toe, and I Spy
- Strawberry Handprint Craft
- Valentine’s Day Books and Activity Ideas
- Cactus Handprint Craft
Why kids love to make love bug crafts:
- Kids love to celebrate holidays, and making crafts is one fun way that they can get in on all the holiday fun!
- Crafts like this help little ones practice a variety of skills from holding paintbrushes to using scissors and glue sticks.
- While these are Valentine’s Day-themed bugs, you can make your love bugs whatever colors you choose to express your kid’s personality and favorite colors!
What you’ll need to make it:
- acrylic paint or washable paint
- scissors
- small paintbrushes
- card stock or construction paper
- school glue or low-temp glue gun (used with supervision)
- google eyes
- marker for mouth
- pipe cleaners
How to make a love bug:
- First, you’ll start by cutting your cardboard tube in half so you can make two bugs. Paint both halves of your tube whatever colors you like.
- Cut two large heart shapes from pink or red (or whatever color you want) paper to be the wings of your bug. Check out our printable heart template if you want a guide!
- Use your glue or glue stick to glue the wings to the back of your bug body and let dry.
- Bend a trimmed down pipe cleaner into a “V” shape and glue in the inside edge of your cardboard tube.
- Glue on two google eyes and draw a smile!
Tips:
- Before adding your heart wings, let your kiddo decorate them with paint or markers for more art time fun!
- You can also cut a smaller set of heart wings to go below the big hearts to make more of a butterfly shape for a love butterfly.
Looking for more insect crafts? Check out:
- Easy Clothespin Butterfly Craft Idea
- Slime for Halloween – Easy Ideas for Spooky Slime with Bugs
- Handprint Butterfly – Make an Easy Spring Craft
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Get the How-To
Create a love bug for Valentine's Day out of a toilet paper roll tube
Supplies
- acrylic paint ( or washable paint)
- small paintbrushes
- card stock (or construction paper)
- school glue (or low-temp glue gun (used with supervision))
- google eyes
- pipe cleaners
- marker (for mouth)
Instructions
- First, you'll start by cutting your cardboard tube in half so you can make two bugs. Paint both halves of your tube whatever colors you like.
- Cut two large heart shapes from pink or red (or whatever color you want) paper to be the wings of your bug. Use your glue or glue stick to glue the wings to the back of your bug body and let dry.
- Bend a trimmed down pipe cleaner into a "V" shape and glue in the inside edge of your cardboard tube.
- Glue on two google eyes and draw a smile!
Equipment
1 pair of scissors
Notes
Tip: Before adding your wings, let your kiddo decorate them with paint or markers for more art time fun!
