We are so STOKED you fluttered on by for Part 3 of our Ladybug Love Activities & FREEBIES!
So land on this here post and hang with us for awhile, as we tripped on some far-out ladybug games and did an out-a-sight craft!!! You will want to trip our dyno Ladybug Mask Pattern FREEBIE scene with your babes as well!!
My babes were DIGGIN’ this Ladybug Posture Balance Game! First I made our ladybug balance ballons. Using a funnel, I put some rice inside a red balloon. Then I blew up the balloon and tied it. Next I drew a ladybug on each babes balloon. I turned on our record player and put on our Romper Room record and played the Posture Basket Song…
…while they walked around balancing their ladybug balloons on their heads. Instead of the word “basket” in the song, we substituted “ladybug”…WHAT FUN they had balancing their ladybugs:
Your babes can play our Ladybug Posture Balance Game as well using the following vintage Romper Room Posture Basket song:
And if you are interested in purchasing Romper Room Activity Records for your classroom, while I am currently unable to find this exact record on Amazon, here are some other Romper Room Activity Records you may want to trip on:
We learned about ladybug claws. They are called palps. Ladybugs use them to put food into their mouths.
Ladybugs are very helpful to us because they eat aphids, scale and spider mites and mealy bugs that attack other plants. Some even eat plant mildew. Because of their usefulness ladybugs are often harvested and sold to farmers to control the harmful insects.
I gave each of my babesa clothes pin and a bowl, then placed some large pom poms on the table. My babes then simulated a ladybug catching (with the clothespin) aphids and putting them in their mouth (bowl).They did such a DYNO job of filling their bowls with much excitement along with a sense of accomplishment! DIG the scene:
Ladybugs also use their antennae’s attached below their eyes to feel, smell and taste. Along with their eyes, antennae’s help the ladybugs gather their environment info and hunt for their foods of interest.
With this in mind, we learned about ladybug eyes. Ladybugs have two compound eyes. Their compound eyes are made up of what looks like a collection of bumps. The sections are called ommatidia that point in different directions to pick up movement. Each ommatidium is able to pick up certain details such as brightness, color, etc. We made our own ladybug eyes using egg carton portions, foil & wiggle eyes.
First, I cut an egg carton flat into a circle. Then I had my babes paint their egg carton circle piece and let it dry. Next I had my babes make foil balls to fit inside each compartment. Then they glue gunned their large wiggle eyes and foil into the correct spot:
Next I crumpled up foil and wrapped it around each eye circle to complete:
These ladybug eyes are OUT – A – SIGHT:
If you want to make ladybug eyes and are in need of some supplies, DIG Amazon:
Last we covered the ladybug’s lifecycle. Since ladybugs are indeed beetles, their correct name being ladybird beetles and I do not have an actual ladybug lifecycle flannelboard set, I used my beetle set. First I set up the ladybug beetle lifecycle in rote. We reviewed it several times, then I had my babes build the ladybug lifecycle in sequence themselves:
Then we made these cute little Ladybug Lifecycle Mini Books. For their covers, I had each babe put their finger on a red ink pad, then place their inked finger on the page. They did this as many as they wanted, and when the ink was dry, I drew on the antennae’s and legs:
For the inside pages I used the following ladybug lifecycle sequencing cards printout from Enchanted Learning. My babes colored & cut the page into 4 smaller pages, one page for each stage. Then I stapled them together in sequence:
At the end of the day, ladybugs go back to their homes, our bug boxes and masks are put away for another day!
And to wrap up our ladybug unit for the year, I made some most delectible ladybug cup cakes. Easy to make & FUN to eat, they were SWEEEEEEEEEEET!!!
And now, here is our COMPLETE Ladybug Love Bundle Pack. 71 vintage and current pages STUFFED with activities, games, stories, rhymes & poems, crafts, worksheets, coloring and MORE for ages pre-k – grade 4! Check it out at our Teacher’s Notebook Shop:
Our Ladybug Love activities over the years were a BLAST & we hope you enjoyed them as well! If you missed parts 1 & 2 of our Ladybug Love activities & FREEBIES, here are the quick links once again for your convenience:
Next we did some ladybug counting games.Using our flannelboard ladybugs, we did the following fingerplays:
FIVE LITTLE LADYBUGS
Five little lady bugs sitting in a tree.
The first one said, “I ‘m glad I’m me.”
The second one said, “I feel great too,”
The third one said, “How about you?”
The fourth one said, “It’s time to fly away,”
The fifth one said, “We’ll talk another day.
Another Version:
Five little ladybugs climbing on some plants, Eating the aphids, but not the ants. The first one said, “Save some aphids for me.” The second one said, “They’re as tasty as can be.” The third one said, “Oh they’re almost gone.” The fourth one said, “Then we’d better move on.” The fifth one said, “Come on, let’s fly!” So they opened up their wings and they flew through the sky.
Ladybug in the Air
I saw a little lady bug go flying in the air,
But when I tried to catch her, two bugs were there.
Two little lady bugs flew up to a tree,
I tiptoed very quietly, but then there were three.
Three little lady bugs, looking for one more,
I saw one sitting on the ground, and that makes four.
Four little lady bugs, another to arrive,
I saw one landing on a flower, and that made five!
Five little lady bugs all red with black spots too,
I clapped my hands and away they all flew!
Six Hungry Ladybugs
by Heather Tekavec
Six hungry ladybugs climbing up a tree, Six hungry ladybugs, can’t you see?
The first one ate just one leaf, soft and green. The second one ate two leaves, shiny and clean.
The third one ate three leaves, enough to fill her tummy. The fourth one ate four leaves, every one was yummy.
The fifth one ate five leaves, it took him all day long. The sixth one ate six leaves, and then the leaves were gone!
Three Little Ladybugs
One little ladybug (hold up one finger) With spots on its wings, Landed right beside me (tap sides) As I played on the swings. (sway forward and backward) Two little Lady Bugs (hold up two fingers) Flew around a flower, (move two fingers in a circle) Then crawled beneath a leaf(children cup one hand over two fingers) To nap for half an hour.(children lay their heads on their hands)
Ladybug Love
Our first ladybug game we played was roll n’ count. My babes rolled the dice, then put the rolled number of ladybugs near their initial on the pocket chart. As you can see, they just kept rolling & counting:
Next we did some ladybug interactive dot counting games with our flannelboard. First I made a large ladybug tagboard master pattern, then using a pencil, traced each piece according to its count (10 dots, 6 legs, 1 head & 1 body) onto a pre-cut milk filter sheet. Next, I traced each piece with a black Sharpie marker, then colored the appropriate color (black or red) in its proper space. Finally, I glued the head and legs onto the body and let it dry. For added fun, I glue gunned red wiggle eyes on the head in their appropriate place. Then let the fun begin:
While working on our ladybug dots flannelboard, we did the following Ladybug Rhymes & Poems:
Ladybug Lost Her Dots
Little Ladybug on the ground Doesn’t make a sound. Looking for her ten black dots She lost them on the ground. One black dot Two black dots Three block dots And four. Five black dots Six black dots She’s looking for some more. Seven black dots Eight black dots Nine black dots And ten. The ladybug who lost her dots has found them all again!
Little Red Bug
by Susan M. Paprocki
Little red bug, oh so cute,
Here’s a black spot for your suit.
Now you go and have some fun
With your spot, your very first one.
Little red bug, oh so cute,
Here’s a black spot for your suit.
It’s so nice to own a few,
So enjoy these lovely two.
Little red bug, oh so cute,
Here’s a black spot for your suit.
We are very pleased to see
How nice you look with all three.
Little red bug, oh so cute,
Here’s a black spot for your suit.
You might feel that you need more,
So we proudly give you four.
Little red bug, oh so cute,
Here’s a black spot for your suit.
Heaven, heaven, sakes alive,
Look at you, you’re wearing five!
Ladybug Has Spots
Sing to: The Muffin Man
Ladybug has 1 black spot, 1 black spot, 1 black spot. Ladybug has 1 black spot, Pretty ladybug!
Repeat with 2, 3, 4, etc…
You can do the above activity with your babes using our FREEBIE Ladybug Dot Counting Flannelboard Activity Pattern from our Teacher’s Notebook Shop:
Here is the link for the milk filters I use to make these bodaciously fun interactive flannelboard activities. (Keep in mind you will have to pre-cut these filters into 8 1/2″ X 11″ sheets for printing):
Then we did some ladybug dot count number matching on our flannelboard. I placed different dot count ladybugs on the table along with flannel numbers. Each child chose a ladybug, counted the dots and found its corresponding number. We also used our sliding number lines to find the number in rote:
You can make your own Ladybug Dot Number Matching Game with our FREEBIE printable from our Teacher’s Notebook Store:
While I could not find the exact slide-n-learn number lines that we have (apparently they have been discontinued) I did find these frog themed slide-n-learn’s from Really Good Stuff:
Here is a quick ladybug craft we did some years past when Julian & Sierra were little.
Made from a paper bowl and small paper plate for the wings, these easy to paint & assemble ladybugs have survived the test of time.Every year I put them away in my Spring storage bin until the next Spring and now my grandbabes enjoy them when we study ladybugs:
Well, we hope you enjoyed trippin’ the ladybug scene with us thus far. If you have not as of yet visited our Ladybug Love Activities & FREEBIES Part 1, once again, here is a quick link for your convenience:
Everyone DIGS ladybugs and we have found alot of ladybug activities in webland. So come tiptoe through our AKGVH ladybug activity garden and trip with us!
As you know by now, I always start out with some vintage clips. The following ladybug clips are both vintage & current packed full of ladybug info & fun!
Here is the Ladybug, Ladybug song complete with music and sound from some college students. They did a GREAT job!
This grampa is so adorable reading to his grandson this FAV Ladybug book from Eric Carle:
The BBC Network did a ladybug fact instructional featuring some interesting Ladybug tidbits:
This video covers the different colors ladybugs display:
This vintage Ladybugs Picnic from Sesame Street is soooooo CUTE!
This video takes you through the ladybug lifecycle:
Watch this ladybug eat aphids up close:
Dig these ladybug slow motion take offs:
This ladybug playing with cookie sprinkles is TOOO MUCH!
Here is some ladybug fun for pre-k-grade 1 babes:
Every babes FAV 10 Little Ladybugs board book:
DIG these far-out ladybug fingernail designs for both long & short nails:
And you may want this out-a-sight Ladybug Motion Wallpaper for your computer fun:
Check out this children’s ladybug bedset:
Bring on the Ladybug Bed Set love in your babe’s room from Amazon:
I compiled the following Ladybug Rhymes, Finger Plays & Poems throughout the years on a doc, then printed it out. Everyday we did some of the following using our Ladybug hand puppet.
Actually it really is a bath mitt but I snagged it to use for this unit. I added the pipe cleaner antenna’s. You can get a ladybug bath mitt to use in your classroom for this unit from Amazon:
If you do NOT want to purchase a hand puppet, you can make one using our EXCLUSIVE Ladybug Hand Puppet Pattern with sewing directions FREEBIE from our Teacher’s Notebook Shop:
Your babes may want to make one for themselves for Ladybug activities as well:
Your babes can make our Ladybug Paper Bag Puppet using our FREEBIE pattern & the following directions:
Materials:
1 Paper Bag for Each Child
Red & Black Tempera Paint
Black & Red Construction Paper or Foam
School Glue Water Mixture
Black Glitter (Optional)
School Glue Bottle
Glue Gun
Glue Sticks
2 Large Wiggle Eyes (Optional)
White Crayon
Black Dauber
1 Brad
Directions:
First, have your babes paint the inside of the paper bag fold red. This is the ladybug’s mouth. Next, have them paint the ladybug face, jaw & the back of the head black. Let dry.
Now glue the shoes on the leg & the hands on the arms, let dry.
Then cut out 2 bodies from black construction paper. Using a mixture of glue & water, paint the glue one on the front of the paper bag close to the bottom. When the ladybug’s face & jaw are dry, glue the jaw on top of the body just below the fold, let dry.
Next glue the other body piece on the back and then glue the head overlapping the body at the top matching and gluing the antennae’s together , let dry.
Using a black dauber, have your babes daub dots on the wings, let dry. When back & wings are dry, take the brad and fasten the wings on to the bag from the back folding the excess brad over:
Now you can outline your antennae’s with the glue bottle, then add the glitter for added sparkle, or you may choose to omit this step. We did both sides.
When the glitter is dry, glue gun the wiggle eyes on or using a white crayon, have your babe draw the eyes. The nose is drawn with the white crayon as well.
Insert the arms & legs inside the bag sides and glue down, let dry.
Now your puppet is ready to use!
Need some items to complete your ladybug paper bag puppets? Let’s go Amazon shopping!
Found a ladybug, found a ladybug, Found a ladybug just now. Just now I found a ladybug, Found a ladybug just now.
It was red, it was red, It was red just now. It was red with black spots, Red with black spots just now.
Hospital Ladybug
The ladybug on the screen,
A pen doodling with no ink.
A bit of sun on a melancholy day,
On the sixth floor of the hospital wing.
I Am a Little Ladybug
Sing to I’m a Little Teapot
I am a little ladybug on the go, Landing on an arm, now an elbow. See me fly around and around your hand, Now watch as on your thumb I land.
I am a little ladybug searching for some toes, But watch me quickly land on your nose. Now I look around and head for your hair, I muss it up a bit, then pat it down with care.
I am a little ladybug looking for a knee, I’m just so happy you’re not bugged by me. Now you see me heading for your chest, This little ladybug needs some rest.
Another Version:
I am a little ladybug, you can see. I am a beetle, pretty as can be. I am brightly colored, red and black. Look at the pretty spots on my back.
Lady The Bug
One sunny afternoon Lady Luck came my way, She was bright red and spotted as I helped her that day. Her paper wings closing as she landed on me, I held her up loosely for others to see. The wind picked up and started to blow, and I knew Lady Luck would soon have to go. So I cried; “Lady Bug, Lady Bug, fly away home!” She opened her wings and left me standing alone. It wasn’t long that I started to see, millions of Lady Bugs smiling at me.
Ladybug
Lady bug, lady bug, How are you today? Lady bug, lady bug, Are you going to stay? Lady bug, lady bug, Or will you fly away.
Ladybug Feed Upon the Dew,
Lady-bug, lady-bug, fly away do. Fly to the mountain, and feed upon dew, Feed upon dew, and sleep on a rug, And then run away, like a good little bug.
Ladybug Fly Away Home
Ladybug, Ladybug fly Away Home, Night time is coming, the sunshine has gone. Your family awaits, no more to be said, It’s time little Ladybugs were tucked up in bed!
Ladybug in Red
Ladybugs all dressed in red, Strolling through the flower bed. If I were tiny just like you, I would creep among the flowers too.
Ladybug, Ladybug Nursery Rhyme
Ladybug! Ladybug! Fly away home. Your house is on fire. And your children all gone. All except one, And that’s little Ann, For she crept under The frying pan.
Ladybug Rhyme
Ladybug, ladybug, (move fingers) Let me see your crawl, (crawl slowly on all fours) Hurry after those harmful bugs, (move quickly on all fours) But be careful, do not fall! (fall over)
Ladybug Landed on My Nose
Sing to: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Lady Bug, Lady Bug landed on my nose, I went “kerchoo!” and off she flew! Her body is round with big black dots, My mommy told me they are called spots. Lady Bug, Lady Bug she looks really neat, With her bright red wings, and tiny black feet!
Ladybug Wears a Cape
Lady bug wears An orange cape. It opens up And changes shape –
Now two wings lift her into the air. I wish I had Such a cape to wear!
Dee Lillegard
Ladybugs
Sing to: Jolly Old St. Nicholas
Ladybugs have spots or stripes,
They are yellow, red or green;
They love to live where there are weeds;
Around the world they’re seen.
They’re in the beetle family,
And that is no surprise!
Though some folks call them “ladybugs”
Or even “lady flies.”
Ladybugs Fly Sing to: Three Blind Mice Fly, fly, fly. Ladybugs fly Fly over here. Fly over there. They fly up high and they fly down low. Around and around and around they go. They fly fast, and they fly so slow. Oh, ladybugs fly.
Little red ladybug sits on a leaf. She sits on a leaf on a tree. And as she sits on that little green leaf. There are so many friends to see! Little yellow bumblebees buzz by the leaf. They buzz by the leaf on the tree. And as they buzz by that little green leaf. There are so many friends to see!
Miss Lady Bug Little ladybug, Sweet little ladybug, Where are you going now?
You go to fly, While I must try, And turn away as you go.
But if you feel You need to come back, Than this you must always know.
In my heart there’s a place for you, It’s red with black spots. It’s a place you can stay, Where I will love you lots.
But I know that I can’t keep you, For there are lives you need to please. So then you shall fly, To tend to others needs.
It would be wrong to keep you here, And not let you go to live. For you little bug, bless your heart, Have lots of love to give.
Mr. Ladybug
A ladybug went to work one day, and said to her husband, “Now while I’m away, please take care of the house, and sweep the floor, and don’t let the baby bugs fly out the door!” So he polished, and cleaned, and vacuumed the rug, he fed all the baby bugs, gave each a hug, and when he finished, he said with a shrug, “It’s really hard, being a man ladybug! Oh, I work, and I work, just as hard as I can, ‘Cause it’s really hard, being a ladybug man!”
Never Hurt A Ladybug
Sing to: Yankee Doodle
Ladybugs are in my yard, Just look at them devour. Those pesky aphids on the leaves, Of Mother’s pretty flowers. Never hurt a ladybug, We need them in the garden. Ladybugs help flowers grow, So we must never hurt them.
See the Ladybug
Sing to: Frere Jacques
See the ladybug, see the ladybug. Watch it crawl, watch it crawl. See it crawling higher, See it crawling higher. Watch it crawl, up the wall.
See the ladybug, see the ladybug. Watch it crawl, watch it crawl. See it crawling lower, See it crawling lower. Way down low, to my toe.
~Jean Warren
The Ladybug
When strolling through the garden if you should chance to see, A ladybug out walking please say ‘Hi!’ for me. For a ladybug is a good bug, And she helps the garden grow. She is supposed to bring good luck, So be sure to say ‘Hello!’
The Ladybug’s a Beetle
The ladybug’s a beetle. It’s shaped like a pea. Its color is a bright red With lots of spots to see.
Although the name is “ladybug”, Some ladybugs are “men” So why don’t we say “gentleman bug” Every now and then?
The Tiny Ladybug
When I was a child ladybugs would fly to me. They would land on my arm and whisper little secrets in my ear of things I would become: A kind man …….gentle of mind.
A man of spirit who could close great divides.
But I don’t feel that big. In fact, as I sit in the grass and talk to you, I feel like a tiny Ladybug on someone else’s arm…… And your ear is most important to me.
This Little Ladybug
Sing to: This Little Light Of Mine
This little ladybug, I’m gonna let it fly. This little ladybug, I’m gonna let it fly. This little ladybug, I’m gonna let it fly. Let it fly, let it fly, let it fly.
You can print them out for FREE from our Teacher’s Notebook Shop:
a kinders garten vintage homeschool 
