It’s not hard to tell after looking through the kid’s crafts on this blog that I love ladybug crafts. They are fun, cute, colorful and most of all, kids love them. I don’t think there’s more affection for a bug (well, maybe lightning bugs) that there is for the ladybug.
If you read this blog regularly, then you know that I am a huge fan of recycling crafts too. I love to turn garbage into something fun, especially when it involves children. It’s a great way to teach them about our planet and how we must be responsible with our refuse in order to preserve it for future generations.
I’m certainly not saving the planet by making ladybugs from a few CDs, but it’s fun, they’re cute, and your kids will want to make some! So let’s get started, shall we?
Sand the surface of each CD/DVD lightly, just enough to knock off any gloss coating. Trace one of your CDs onto a piece of paper and cut out. You will use this as your template. Trace the template onto a piece of felt. Cut the circle out of the felt. Repeat this process for all of the colors that you will be using for your ladybugs.
Draw a curved line on your paper template for the ladybug’s head. The shape will resemble a football. Cut it out and use it as a template to cut how ever many heads you need for your ladybugs using black felt.
Glue the colored felt circles to the CD/DVDs, then glue the black felt head pieces on top of the colored circles. Use a round sponge applicator dipped in black paint to add spots to the colored felt on each ladybug. Glue on googly eyes to the black ladybug heads.
More Ladybug Crafts
Ladybug Sun Visors
Ladybug Baseball Hat
Swirling Twirling Ladybugs
Egg Carton Ladybugs
Plastic Lid Ladybugs
Paper Plate Ladybugs
Paper Bowl Ladybug – About.com
Bottle Cap Ladybug – CraftIdeas.info
Yarn Ladybug – Parents.com
Recycled CD Ladybugs
Supplies
- Recycled CDs or DVDs
- Fine grit sandpaper
- Felt in various colors
- Black craft paint
- Large googly eyes
- Round sponge applicators
- White craft glue
- Scissors
Instructions
- Trace one of your CDs onto a piece of paper and cut out. You will use this as your template.
- Sand the surface of each CD/DVD lightly, just enough to knock off any gloss coating.
- Trace the template onto a piece of felt. Cut the circle out of the felt. Repeat this process for all of the colors that you will be using for your ladybugs.
- Draw a curved line on your paper template for the ladybug's head (see photo). The shape will resemble a football. Cut it out and use it as a template to cut how ever many heads you need for your ladybugs using black felt.
- Glue the colored felt circles to the CD/DVDs, then glue the black felt head pieces on top of the colored circles.
- Use a round sponge applicator dipped in black paint to add spots to the colored felt on each ladybug.
- Glue on googly eyes to the black ladybug heads.
- Fingerprint Daddy & Me Coffee Mug - May 30, 2023
- Sunflower Welcome Sign - May 16, 2023
- Patriotic Pinwheels - May 9, 2023
Linda says
Thanks Amanda for the cute craft :) http://felting.craftgossip.com/2014/03/24/felt-ladybug-cds-diy/
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks so much for the feature Linda!
Lara says
Oh my gosh, I love you. I’ve been keeping the plain plastic “CD’s” from the spindle thinking, “These could be used for a craft for Sunday School” for two years. Now I know what I could use them for. I teach 0-3 yr old’s and this is definitely something they could do.
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks Lara! That sounds like a fun job :)
Melba says
Really cute!!!
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks Melba!
Grammy Ruth says
Why can’t we just print your items out? I don’t want to download that pdf or whatever it is , just want to print out the cd ladybugs to use in my sunday school class…but it won’t print…????
Amanda Formaro says
Hi Ruth. I’m not sure what you are referring to about the PDF. If you click on the printer icon in the printable version at the bottom of the post, it should just open a printable version for you. I’ve never had anyone tell me that it didn’t work and I just tested it myself and it was fine. So if you still can’t print after that let me know I will email you the instructions. Or, you can just highlight, copy and paste the instructions to a separate document. However, I’m rather curious now if the printable version is having issues, so if you could please let me know what happens I would appreciate it! :)
Kristen Duke says
Super cute! I love the googly eyes with eyelashes!
Amanda Formaro says
Thank you Kristen!