This was one of those crafts that I was giddy about doing as soon as the idea came to me. I bought these bandages for my son to play doctor with but forgot I had them. While brainstorming and playing with them in my hands I realized they’d show up great on black paper! My son had no interest in doing this, he just wanted to cover himself with the bandages and ask for kisses, but I know other kids will love it.
- Gather your materials. You will need 2 yellow bandages for each bug and one of another color, we chose orange but any color with enough contrast will work. You will also need 2 googly eyes for each bug, a yellow and a white crayon and glue.
- Start by drawing your night scene, a moon, some stars!
- Open your bandages.
- Stick the bandages you are using as bodies on first.
- Next criss cross the yellow bandages over the body to make wings.
- Using the yellow crayon make antennae
- Add the glue for the eyes and add them.
- Let dry
Lyrics
The little caterpillar snuggled on a leaf,
Spun a little chrysalis and then fell asleep,
While she was sleeping she dreamed that she could fly,
When she woke up she was a butterfly!
Bug Books
” The Very Grouchy Ladybug” by Eric Carle is more than a cute book about a crabby bug. The Lady bug is looking for a fight and each hour she finds a bigger and bigger animal to fight with until she is unintentionally slapped by a big whale’s tail! I loved using this book to teach telling time, as there is a picture of an analog clock on each page. I would use a play clock and as I read each page ask one child to come and set our classroom clock. Also don’t be put off by the fact that the lady bug tries to pick fights, no animal takes her up on her offer and you can spin that into a great lesson about not giving into people who are trying to pick fights.
“Beetle McGrady Eats Bugs” by Megan McDonald isn’t really about bugs at all, although they do play a supporting role, it’s about fear and over coming it. Beetle McGrady wants to be a pioneer, fearless and she sets out to prove that by eating an ant, but doesn’t quite reach her goal, at least not right away. I liked how Beetle was disappointed in herself and instead of continuing to sulk when an opportunity to try again arose , she took it.
” Two Bad Ants”by Chris Van Allsburg is a very interesting story of two ants who decide not to return to the colony and hang out in a sugar bowl eating instead. Of course nothing is as it seems and they have quite an adventure trying to avoid all the dangers of a kitchen, realizing in the end that being a part of a colony isn’t so bad! This is a cute book for older preschoolers who will love trying to guess what each new adventure the ants face really are- they include a toaster, hot coffee and an electrical outlet.
teachmama says
stop it! we are on a lightening bug craze over here–and any chance to use band-aids AND googly-eyes?! that's a good day! what a riot!
and 'bad ants' is one of our faves–
thanks, Allie,and see you this week!
Teaching My Little BookWorm says
those are super cute! i did a craft but never got it up but if your curious and want to make one i'll tell you how just email me
Jolanthe says
I love it – who cares about the kids! 🙂 Great idea!!
Amanda says
very cute!
cabadov says
My kids are obsessed with Band-aids. What a great way to deal with their obsession, creatively.
Mrs. Lindblom says
Those lightning bugs are so cute!!!!
Amy says
We've been reading Eric Carle's Firefly book. This will be perfect, thanks!
Allie says
How did I forget that book ??
Urgh I need more sleep- we even read it last week! I'll add it to the post in a few. Thanks!
Beverly says
this is so cute. Noah will love doing this one!
Woolverton Girl says
WoW! That is a great idea!! I'm surprises your son didn't want to make those. I think mine would love it, I'll have to try it out to see.
oh amanda @impressyourkids says
Very very cute! We will definitely be doing this!
Preschool Playbook says
These are just the BEST!
DairyQueen says
those are SO cute!
Angelica says
super cute, where do i get colored band aids? we only get princess and hello kitty around here.
Aprille says
That is sooo sooo adorable and maybe a way to get band-aid shy kids warmed up to band-aids are their friends 🙂
Ashlyn Brunson says
I love those fireflies! They are just so cute! My little brother thinks band-aids and medicine are like candy, so this will definitely help with his obsession…and in a way that will get his imagination flowing! Thanks Allie!
Rachel says
I saw this craft on your blog a couple weeks ago and i tried it with my kids today. I couldn’t find any yellow band-aids so we had to improvise some, but they turned out cute! I have them on my blog & linked to this post of yours as my source. thank you!!
debbie langdon says
I can’t wait to do these fireflies with my firsties and I think we will call them “ouchie” fireflies and introduce “ou” ow” sounds! Thanks.
the classroom creative says
Given that most kids can’t get enough band-aids, this is an awesome craft. Thanks for the book suggestions as well.
We featured your post at Our Camping Theme Roundup.
Hope you have a lovely week!
Nicolette & Karen
editors of The Classroom Creative.
Sarah says
I love how you always make connections to literature! Your ideas are so creative and inspiring! Thanks!
Laurie says
Cute craft! I’d liken to use it with my kinders, but wondering where you found the yellow band-aids. I’ve seen mostly character band-aids and some with assorted neon colors (green, blue, pink, purple), but no yellow. I suppose green would work in a pinch…
admin says
I got them at the Dollar Tree !
Laurie says
Thanks! Even better deals than Target!
Shannon says
THis is such a cute idea…I just don’t think it would fly in my house (no pun intended) my son loves his bandaids so much! haha
Stephanie says
Love this idea. We are doing it tomorrow. I couldn’t find the yellow bandaides this weekend, so I bought cheap bottle of glow in the dark yellow paint at Walmart to put on the bandaides $1.97. Thanks for sharing!
Dawn Lindsey says
I used your lightening bug band aid idea in our home school preschool. I put a picture of our finished product on my facebook home school page and post a link to your blog. Such a cute idea!https://www.facebook.com/dawnsdesigns22#
Allison McDonald says
They are adorable and I love the footprint bees too!
Mary says
This is adorable and my kids LOVE bandaids. But I would have to change this a bit. I spent umpteen hours as a kids catching lightening bugs and it’s not their wings that light up. I’d make the wings and body out of plain bandaids. Then I would cut off the ends of the yellow ones and place one of the ends on the “butt” of the firefly.
Amanda says
Hi Allison! Congrats! I’m just stopping by to let you know that this post was selected as an Editor’s Pick for January over at Fun Family Crafts. 🙂 You can see it here http://funfamilycrafts.com/editors-picks-january-2014/ Feel free to grab a special button from the post that is only for those chosen for the Editors’ Pick 🙂
P.S. If you aren’t already submitting to Fun Family Crafts, we’d love it if you did!
Deb says
They are so cute. Where did you find yellow band-aids?
Allison McDonald says
Dollar Store!