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Beetle Baby | Bug Crafts

Beetle Baby

Total Time Needed: 1 Hour

If being cooped up inside on a rainy day bugs you, try chasing away the blues with a collection of these little insects. The beetles, caterpillars, and dragonflies are a snap to make and great for sparking your kids' creativity.

Materials

  • Wire (20 gauge)
  • Ruler
  • Wire cutters
  • Multifaceted plastic beads (with diameters of 12 mm, 8 mm, 6 mm, and 4 mm)
  • Needle-nose pliers

Instructions

Cut two 4-inch lengths and two 2-1/2-inch lengths from the wire (a parent's job). Thread all 4 through a 12 mm bead (this will be the bug's body).

Bend 2 ends of the 2 long wires upward and slide on an 8 mm bead for a head, as shown. Bend the remaining 6 ends down to form legs.

Thread a 4 mm bead onto the tip of each antenna. Then use the pliers to bend the tips (to keep the beads from sliding off) and curl the tops of the antennae. Finally, curl the ends of the legs to form feet.

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