Ladybug Rocks
Difficulty: Very Easy
Your kids can make these adorable ladybugs as shelf decorations, or make a large one as to be used on Mom’s desk as a paperweight. While the average ladybug is red, ours come in several vibrant colors. Let your kids pick their favorite! For more green ideas, be sure to visit our Earth Day crafts, printables, and our Earth Day ideas pages for more environmentally friendly fun!
What you'll need:
• Smooth, round or oval rocks, washed and dried
• Acrylic craft paint in colors of our choice
• Black acrylic craft paint
• 2 wiggle eyes for each ladybug
• Black Sharpie marker
• Acrylic matte sealer spray
• White craft glue (Tacky Glue)
How to make it:
1. Completely wash and dry all rocks.
2. Paint rocks in desired colors, allow to dry. Apply second and third coats if needed. Lighter colors will require more coats than darker shades.
3. Paint head on using black acrylic craft paint. There is no pattern needed, simply paint about ¼ of the rock black in the “front”.
4. Use a black Sharpie to draw a straight line down the center of the rock, starting at the center of the base of the “head”.
5. Dip the end of a large paint brush, or the eraser of a pencil, in black craft paint. Dot on the spots, reloading with paint after every dot.
6. Once the paint is dry, spray the rock(s) with acrylic sealer spray. Allow sealer to dry completely.
7. using white craft glue, attach wiggle eyes and let dry.
Tips:
• If you are doing this in a group setting such as scouts or a classroom, you may find it easier to prepare the rocks ahead of time. Wash, dry and apply a coat of Liquitex Basics Gesso to each rock. This is a craft medium (white) that works well with many projects. It will also create a base so that less coats of color paint will be required.
• Bigger rocks are easier for small hands to manipulate. They are also heavier, so be sure that there are enough adult helpers for a group of little ones.
• White and black paint can be used instead of wiggle eyes. Simply dot on white paint, allow to dry, then use a smaller tool to dot on the black.
