Cardboard Tube Ladybug Craft

Do you have a constant stash of empty cardboard tubes laying around the house like I do? They are one of those essential craft supplies that I like to keep on hand but every few months I make myself have a heart to heart with them and say “Ok, you either have to part with these in the recycling bin or you need to get crafty with them.”

Don’t fear because this month instead of parting with them you can turn them into this darling cardboard tube ladybug craft. Best of all, they are a perfect match to our cardboard tube bees, so you can have an afternoon of fun making cardboard tube insects.

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Supplies Needed to Make This Cardboard Tube Ladybug Craft

cardboard tube roll
black paint
paintbrush
black pipe cleaners
red cupcake liner
googly eyes
black marker
stapler
small pointy screw driver (something to poke a hole in the cardboard tube)
scissors
glue

Instructions for Making this Ladybug Cardboard Tube Craft

1. Paint the outside of cardboard tube roll with black paint

Gather your supplies. Paint the outside of your cardboard tube roll with your black paint. We used a cardboard toilet roll but you could also cut down a paper towel cardboard tube.

2. Fold down two sides on both tube roll ends to form ladybug body

When your cardboard roll is finished drying fold down two sides on both ends to form the ladybug body (see pictures below).

3. Poke holes for ladybug legs and antennae

Use a small screw driver or something pointy to poke three holes on each side of the cardboard roll for the ladybug legs and two holes on the top of the cardboard roll, near the front, for the ladybug antennae.

4. Make ladybug legs and antennae

Cut two pipe cleaners into quarters. Staple the top and bottom of the cardboard roll closed. Then poke the pipe cleaner pieces into all of the holes around the cardboard roll for the ladybug legs and antennae.

5. Make ladybug wings

Flatten out your red cupcake liner and cut it in half. Use your black marker to color spots all over the ladybug wings. Glue the wings onto the ladybug behind the antennae.