Make my cute kids’ summer bug craft featuring cicadas! Yep, cute cicadas. This easy print, cut, and glue activity is a great summer craft idea for elementary-age and preschoolers. Kids can make paper cicadas friends in their choice of colors and then play pretend or turn them into refrigerator art. You could also use these paper cicada bugs in a summer-themed scavenger hunt or hide-and-seek game to “find the cicadas.”
Easy cicadas craft idea for elementary and preschool kids
I made two kinds of paper cicada insects: Bright green, freshly-molted annual cicadas and periodical Brood X black and orange cicadas with Rocket Red™ eyes.
Summer bug arts and crafts for kids
Astrobrights Papers asked me to make them an original summer bugs arts and crafts for kids to feature on their website. Summer bug crafts for kids usually involve traditionally cute insects like ladybugs, bees, butterflies, and lightning bugs. I mean let’s be honest: when it comes to cicadas, the word “cute” isn’t the first word that comes to mind. Even so, I’ve always thought that cicadas are pretty incredible. I grew up in Indiana where annual and periodic cicadas are a common summer bug. So let’s elevate the status of cicada insects to a summer bug that kids learn about just as often as butterflies, ladybugs, bees, and lightning bugs.
Add paper party hats to celebrate cicadas
Make plain cicadas or dress them up for a celebration. I picture these little folks living a dark, 17-year life underground and then emerging ready to par-tay! So I thought it would be cute to make them some party hats, party blowers, and balloons to celebrate their arrival. Woot!
Easy bug craft for kids and preschool
Bug crafts are super fun to make in the summer and my paper cicadas are super simple to make. My easy print, cut, and glue bug craft activity is great for kids in elementary and preschool (parents of toddlers could cut out the shapes for their toddler to glue together). It’s a simple way to start learning about these incredible insects.
See also: Pretend Campfire and S’mores Craft: Indoor Camping Play Set >
Summer craft for kids
The best summer crafts for kids are both fun and educational. My cicada bug craft is a great opportunity for kids to learn about the lifecycle of the mysterious cicadas. During their lifecycle, cicadas change their shape similar to a butterfly …but cicadas don’t get that butterfly respect. Time to change that, don’t you think?
Growing up in Indiana, we used to collect annual cicada shells on trees and fences and houses. Now my kids and I collect cicada shells together when we visit Grandma’s house. Summertime is cicada time!
Cute insects arts and crafts for kids
People tend to fall into two general cicada camps: one camp thinks they’re ugly and the other camp (like me) thinks they’re pretty cool. I mean sure, cicadas aren’t traditionally cute but not every insect can be like a ladybug, right?
I picture these little folks living a dark life underground and then emerging ready to par-tay! So I thought it would be cute to make these insects some party hats, party blowers, and balloons to celebrate their arrival. You can decorate their party hats with paper scraps or markers and even choose to create your own paper dress-up clothes and accessories. I love hearing cicadas singing so I made my insects some musical notes, too.
See also: DIY paper seashells craft >
Cicadas craft idea
My paper cicadas craft would make a great summer activity for day camps and neighborhood play dates. Learning about cicadas is also educational. Kids can learn facts about cicadas, the difference between periodical and annual cicadas, parts of a cicada, and the cicada lifecycle. Oh, hi there, little periodical cidada! We found you!
Merriment Design is supported by readers like you. If you buy products that I recommend, I may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks – your clicks help me make more free DIYs!
Supplies for making my cute cicadas summer bug craft for kids:
- Kathy’s cicadas craft printable template (Visit Astrobrights.com for my free templates)
- Astrobrights cardstock paper in Rocket Red™, Orbit Orange™, Eclipse Black™, Martian Green™, Vulcan Green™ and Sunburst Yellow™ plus optional Lunar Blue™, Pulsar Pink™, Stardust White™ and Sunburst Yellow™ for party hats, blowers, and balloons
- Paper scissors
- Glue stick or school glue
- Optional craft knife and self-healing cutting mat for musical notes details
How to make my paper cicada insects bug craft:
Step 1: Print my cicada templates
Print my cicada templates onto Astrobrights cardstock paper: 17-year cicadas on Eclipse Black™, Orbit Orange™ and Rocket Red™ and annual cicadas on Martian Green™, Vulcan Green™ and Sunburst Yellow™.
Step 2: Cut out cicada bug pieces
Cut out the head, thorax/abdomen, veined wings, jointed legs, and compound eyes using good paper scissors. Take this opportunity to talk about and learn the parts of a cicada. Each template includes one left-facing and one right-facing cicada. Cut two thin slivers from scrap paper for antennae. Adults can use a craft knife and self-healing cutting mat for musical notes details.
Step 3: Glue bug pieces together
Use a glue stick or school glue to attach cicada pieces together.
Step 4: Print and cut out optional party supplies
I picture the cicadas coming out and ready to party! Print and cicadas hats, party blowers, balloons, and musical notes onto Astrobrights cardstock paper. Use a craft knife and self-healing cutting mat for small details. Glue the three hat pieces together, then decorate with scraps of paper or markers if you wish. You can decorate party hats with paper scraps or markers and even choose to create your own paper dress-up clothes and accessories. I love hearing cicadas singing so I made them some musical notes, too.
Step 5: Play with your paper insects!
Play dress-up with your paper cicadas, hang them on the wall as artwork, or use them to learn fun facts about annual and periodic cicadas.
See more paper crafts for Astrobrights::
- S’mores campfire paper playset
- Bomb Pops DIY Patriotic Printables
- Paper Jewelry craft – bracelets, necklaces, earrings
- St. Patrick’s Day rainbow headphones craft for kids
- Holiday Mittens Printable Gift Card Holder
- Paper Easter baskets template
- Printable locker decorations
- Mother’s Day DIY Paper Wreath
- Father’s Day tie garland
- Geometric Dinosaur Birthday Party
- Valentine’s Day Jokes Cards
- Valentine’s Day heart bracelets.
Yeah, that’s a lot of paper craft projects. Can you tell that I really like working with Astrobrights paper? It’s truly my favorite colorful paper. Thanks again to Astrobrights for sponsoring this summer craft for kids!
Be sure to pin my cicada bug craft for kids
And check out more summer crafts for kids including my S’mores campfire paper playset, tie-dye cloth napkins, and summer camp DIY luggage tag plus summer craft ideas for adults like my pool noodle party decorations and DIY summer wreath with ice cream cones.
++++++
Like it? Share it!
The nicest way to say you like it is to pin it on Pinterest, post a comment, follow Merriment Design on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram or sign up for monthly emails. Enjoy! 🙂