• Home
  • About Me
  • PR Friendly
    • Site Statistics
  • Copyright, Disclosure & Privacy Policy
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Kid Crafts
    • Valentine’s Day Crafts & Activities
    • Easter Crafts & Activities
    • Summer Crafts & Activities
    • Halloween Activities & Crafts
    • Thanksgiving Crafts
    • Christmas Crafts & Activities
  • Dr. Seuss Activities
  • STEM Activities
  • Games for Kids
    • Shark Games for Kids
  • Shop

Thumbprint Firefly Craft

July 15, 2013 by OneMommy

Catching fireflies is a classic kids summer activity.  There is just something about watching those tiny blinking lights as they flutter around in the dark that is almost magical.

It’s no wonder that firefly crafts are popular in the summer.

Capture those summer night memories with this simple thumbprint firefly craft.

thumbprint craft -- simple firefly craft (lightning bug craft) that is perfect for summer

Thumbprint Firefly Craft

You will need:

  • White Paper
  • Yellow Acrylic Paint
  • Another Color of Paint of Your Choice
  • Glitter
  • Paintbrush
  • Black Marker
  • Scissors

To create your own jar of fireflies, first cut out some large paper jars from white paper.  (To make the jar symmetrical I folded the paper in half vertically and cut out the shape of half a jar; opening it revealed a nice, symmetrical jar shape.)

Mix your yellow paint with plenty of glitter.  (I wish you could see in the picture how the lightning bugs sparkle in the light.)   Have your child use the paint to make plenty of fingerprints on their paper jar.

While the fingerprints are drying, paint the lids on the jars.  Then allow the paint to dry completely.

Once the fireflies dry, use a black marker to create wings and antennae for each firefly.

preschooler lightning bug craft

The kids decided to add some grass to the jars, too, just like in our jar of real lightning bugs.

This firefly craft is a magical summer craft that’s perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.  Older kids might like making their own water bottle lightning bug craft that really glows.

lightning bug craft

Check out these other fun summer posts:

  • 20+ Adorable Sea Animal Crafts
  • Save the Sea Animals Game — Perfect for Preschoolers
  • Make Your Own Water Wall from Recyclables 
  • Awesome Camp Crafts 

 

Filed Under: Kids Crafts Tagged With: bug craft, preschooler craft, summer

Comments

  1. OneMommy says

    July 15, 2013 at 10:16 pm

    My son keeps asking when we can catch them again.

  2. Chris Carter says

    July 15, 2013 at 11:34 pm

    What a fun activity and craft to do this summer!! SO cool!

    • OneMommy says

      July 22, 2013 at 10:23 pm

      Thank you; I have to say they look pretty cute on the doors!

  3. Sugar Aunts says

    July 20, 2013 at 10:01 pm

    Looks like they had a blast! One of our favorite things about summer is catching fireflies. Thanks for sharing at Share it Saturday!

  4. Hannah says

    July 20, 2013 at 10:59 pm

    I really like your firefly craft! Please come share it with us next week at Eco-Kids Tuesday link-up!

    • OneMommy says

      July 23, 2013 at 9:23 pm

      Thank you!
      Looking forward to checking out your blog!

  5. Carrie says

    July 26, 2013 at 5:16 pm

    Oh, what fun!! I remember catching them. We would use them at nightlights in our camper and in the morning I would be afraid of the ugly bugs in the daylight. Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!

    • OneMommy says

      July 27, 2013 at 7:11 pm

      My daughter kept a few in her room last night like a nightlight — never got to do that as a kid.

  6. Sara says

    August 15, 2013 at 5:10 pm

    What sweet summer memories crafting! Thanks for sharing on craft schooling Sunday a good three weeks ago, that party will be back on this Sunday, and hope to see you there!

    • OneMommy says

      August 16, 2013 at 4:13 pm

      See you Sunday! 🙂

Connect with me

Link to my Facebook Page
Link to my Pinterest Page
Link to my Twitter Page

Check Out My New Book & Popular Posts

Engineering Activities for Kids

how to make egg geodes

Straw Weaving -- weaving craft

how to make vanishing ghosts by melting packing peanuts

Search this site

Recent Posts

  • Make Learning Easier with DIY Math Manipulatives
  • Engineer a Truss Bridge with Craft Sticks
  • Dragon STEM Activities
  • Fun and Foamy Elephant Toothpaste Experiment
  • Shark Party Games — Perfect for Shark Week or a Shark-Themed Birthday Party

Proud Member

Women Online
Blog Meets Brand

Archives

Copyright © 2023 · Lifestyle Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in