Paper insects – bees, ladybugs and butterflies in 3D

You don't need a magic wand to create something unique – all you need is some paper, a bit of glue, and tons of fun. Ladybugs with sticky wings, bees with fluffy antennae, and butterflies ready to fly away – you can create all of this at home. A rainy afternoon in the making? Time for some great fun for kids and adults alike, which teaches, develops, and is incredibly rewarding. Learn how to make paper insects in the comfort of your own home.

What will you need?

Before you start work, make sure you have all the necessary tools at hand, including:

• colored paper (technical pad, Bristol board, origami paper),
• scissors – preferably with rounded tips for younger children,
• glue stick ,
• black marker or self-adhesive wiggle eyes ,
• creative wires, ice cream sticks or toothpicks ,
• foam tape (gives a 3D effect),
• crayons, markers, stickers, glitter .

How to Make 3D Paper Insects? Step-by-Step Instructions

Bees, ladybugs, and butterflies in 3D? Anything is possible! DYI's creative workshops will bring you lots of joy.

Ladybird

1. Cut out two red circles – one larger (wings), the other smaller (body).
2. Fold the larger circle in half – this will create wings that will stick out slightly.
3. Glue them onto the smaller circle, leaving the center exposed – that's where you'll glue the head.
4. You can draw black dots with a marker or glue them from black paper .
5. Finally, add the eyes and antennae – you can make them from wire or draw them.

Done! You can glue the ladybug to a piece of paper, pin it to a curtain, or attach it to a stick.

Bee

1. Cut out a few strips of yellow and black paper – these will form the body of the bee.
2. Glue them alternately into a roll – this will create a body with stripes.
3. Make the wings out of paper – two ovals will be enough and you will glue them to the bee's back.
4. Make antennae from wires or twisted strips of paper.

Eyes, a mouth, and… you're done! If you attach a string, the bee can hang, for example, over a desk.

Butterfly

1. Cut out the outline of the butterfly – you can use a ready-made template or create your own.
2. It is worth making the wings in layers – two smaller and two larger, slightly bent in the middle.
3. Glue them only in the middle part – this will make them stick out and look like they are floating.
4. Decorate as you wish: markers, glitter, stickers – let the butterfly be as colorful as possible!
5. You can add antennae from paper or wire . And if you're feeling adventurous, attach a butterfly to a stick and create a whole collection.

Now it's time for some fun! Place insects around the house and create an "insect safari." Children can find them, complete tasks (e.g., dance like a bee, find something red like a ladybug), or collect points. You can also create a paper meadow together and create a unique display.

How to prepare a home theater with insects as the main characters?

Already have your own collection of paper insects? Great! Now it's time to breathe even more life into them—literally. How about making bees, ladybugs, and butterflies the heroes of a real story? A playhouse is a great way to continue the fun, sparking imaginations and engaging everyone—from the youngest to the very old. You don't need a big stage or spotlights. Just a few simple steps and a little creativity!

Use a large cardboard box (e.g., a shoe box) as a stage. Simply cut a hole in one side and decorate the box with colored paper, fabric, or drawings.
Next, prepare an interchangeable paper "curtain" – you can create a meadow, a forest, a beehive, or even an enchanted land. If you're feeling adventurous, create several versions and change them throughout the performance.
You can attach the finished insects to popsicle sticks, straws, or craft wire . This will allow you to move them like puppets.
What about the plot? It all depends on your imagination! Let the children come up with their own dialogue, imitate insect sounds, or take on the role of narrator. If you'd like, you can also write a script, record the performance, or invite the whole family to the big premiere.

Home theater is a fantastic activity that children will love to play again and again, and you can adapt it to any season or theme. Need some ideas? Get inspired by our idea for a Japanese shibai theater activity.

Creative fun: paper insects and more!

DYI projects are a great way to spend time together. Crafting with paper develops imagination, teaches concentration and patience, and also develops fine motor skills. And it provides a great opportunity for conversation – about nature, ecology, and the important role insects play in our world. Most importantly, you can do it together, without rushing and with a lot of positive emotions.

We have even more inspiration for you! On our blog, you'll find various ideas for creative family activities .