I just love ladybugs and so do little ones. This super cute toilet tube ladybug craft is great for building fine motor skills, teaching kids about bugs, and learning the letter "L". Of course, you can make it just to get rid of some of those extra toilet paper rolls your kids don't like to put in the trash can.
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💖 Why You'll Love This Craft
- Recycling with Style: Turn those empty toilet tubes into something totally adorable and eco-friendly.
- Polka Dot Painting Fun: Kids will love adding all the spots—it’s simple, satisfying, and totally customizable.
- Wiggle Eyes Approved: Add some googly eyes for instant cuteness that brings your little ladybug to life!
Ladybug or Ladybird Craft?
What do you call this insect? As a child growing up in the United kingdom we called the red insect with black dots a ladybird. However, when I moved to New Zealand, the ladybird became a ladybug.
Either way, enjoy this Ladybird craft or Ladybug craft whichever one you call it!
🎨 Supplies Needed
- Toilet Paper Roll
- Black Cardstock
- Red Cardstock
- Red and Black Craft Paper (If you don't have supply 2 & 3).
- Googly Eyes
- Scissors
- Pencils
- Ruler
- Craft Glue
🖌️ How To Make A Toilet Tube Ladybug Craft
- Step 1: To start making the ladybug Take a tissue paper roll and roll it with a black craft paper. Or take a black Cardstock paper (7-inch × 4 inch) Roll it and glue both ends.
- Step 2: Then take a red craft paper or red cardstock paper (7-inch × 2 inches). Wrap it over the previous black roll along the bottom of the black roll. Glue it there and allow the glue to dry.
- Step 3: To finish off the ladybug's body Cut out the black circles from the template or punch out 8/10 black circular pieces using a paper punch. Then glue them on the red part of the roll.
- Step 4: Now take the two googly eyes for the ladybug and glue them on the top part of the roll.
- Step 5: For the antennas of the ladybug Then cut out the two black stripes from the template and glue them on the top of the two eyes. And there you go! Your toilet tube ladybug is ready.
After assembly, let the finished ladybug sit upside-down for several minutes—this allows any excess glue or paint to drip away and sets seams perfectly flush.
🧑🎨 Expert Tips
- Dot Spacing: Plan and lightly pencil in dot locations at equal intervals so ladybug spots look uniform and maintain consistent visual rhythm across the body.
- Curve Handling: Use a gentle, even brush stroke following the tube’s curve to apply paint smoothly without drips or uneven thickness around the rounded surface.
- Ring Alignment: Mark faint guide lines around the tube’s circumference before painting bands—this ensures stripes remain parallel and don’t spiral unevenly as you work.
- Antenna Placement: Bend pipe cleaners into matching curves and attach them symmetrically near the top seam, ensuring they mirror each other and stand upright naturally.
- Edge Overlap: Wrap decorative paper edges slightly over each other at the back seam, hiding glue lines and preserving the circular silhouette without gaps.
- Interior Preparation: Line the tube’s inside with a strip of cardstock before decorating to prevent collapse and provide stability when the craft stands upright.
Did you make this craft? Leave a review and comment below! Alternatively, bookmark it in your browser or save to Pinterest.
Download Template
Download your free Printable Toilet Tube Ladybug Craft Template here!
Super Cute Toilet Tube Ladybug Craft
Equipment
- Scissors
Materials
- Toilet Paper Roll
- Black Cardstock
- Red Cardstock
- Red and Black Craft Paper If you don’t have supply 2 & 3.
- Googly Eyes
- Pencils
- Ruler
- Craft Glue
Instructions
- To start making the ladybug
- Take a tissue paper roll and roll it with a black craft paper.
- Or take a black Cardstock paper (7-inch × 4 inch)
- Roll it and glue both ends.
- Then take a red craft paper or red cardstock paper (7-inch × 2 inches).
- Wrap it over the previous black roll along the bottom of the black roll.
- Glue it there and allow the glue to dry.
- To finish off the ladybug’s body
- Cut out the black circles from the template or punch out 8/10 black circular pieces using a paper punch.
- Then glue them on the red part of the roll.
- Now take the two googly eyes for the ladybug and glue them on the top part of the roll.
- For the antennas of the ladybug
- Then cut out the two black stripes from the template and glue them on the top of the two eyes.
- And there you go! Your toilet tube ladybug is ready.
If you liked this ladybug craft, check out some of my other ladybug activities you can do with your kids:
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