Counting Bugs
Parents and teachers, help kids make and use counting bugs to practice counting and to do simple math. Use pins to hang on bulletin boards. For use on refrigerators and file cabinets, glue magnets onto backs.
Supplies
White STYROFOAM™ Balls, 4″ diameter, one ball per two bugs
Design It®: Foam Cutter
Spray paint: Holiday Red (Design Master® ColorTool® Spray Color)
3/4″ diameter black jumbo brads (quantity determined by number of bugs and spots used)
1/2″ wide black with white dot designer masking tape, 6″ length per bug (Elmer’s®)
All purpose glue stick (Elmer’s® CraftBond™)
8 1/2″ x 11″ black heavy cardstock, one sheet per 8 bugs
2 1/2″ diameter round paper punch (or trace and cut circles with scissors)
15mm wiggle eyes, two per bug
8″ scissors (X-ACTO®)
Old newspapers
Instructions
Use Foam Cutter or serrated knife to cut each STYROFOAM™ Ball in half. To smooth, rub together cut edges over waste basket.
In a well-ventilated, newspaper-covered area, spray half Balls with Holiday Red. Let dry.
For each bug, cut 6″ length designer masking tape. Referring to photo, attach tape across half ball (body), wrapping ends to the cut side. (Secure ends with additional glue stick if needed.)
For head, punch 2 1/2″ circle (or cut with scissors) from black cardstock, one for each bug. Use glue stick to attach head about 1″ under body at tape-line.
Refer to photo to position and use glue stick to attach wiggle eyes. Let dry.
Decide number of spots per bug based on the counting or math teaching you want to do. Position brads by lightly inserting into bugs and then push all the way in, when position is correct.
This craft is reprinted courtesy of FloraCraft.
Contributor
FloraCraft(r), locally owned and operated in Michigan, has beenserving the craft and floral industries for 65 continuous years, providing quality STYROFOAM(tm) Brand Foam in shapes and sheets. We are dedicated to helping beginners and professionals achieve their best results, FloraCraft products are the foundation of every great project.