Sponge Stamped Ladybugs
Reading books to kids is one of the best ways for kids to learn! Studies have shown that reading in the early years can lead to greater academic success in the future. Finding fun activitiesto go along with books is an excellent method for re-telling and deepening the relationship with the book for the child. This ladybug craft is based on the book, The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle. It uses a cut sponge to act as a stamp, plus, it’s super easy for kids to accomplish independently.
Find more bug inspired books to read with your toddlers and preschoolers.
We have included links to the products and books used in this activity. If you buy from these links we may earn a small commission.
Sponge-Stamped Ladybug Craft for Kids
To make this sponge-stamped ladybug, you will need:
Make these paper plate ladybugs inspired by the same book
How you make these sponge-stamped ladybugs
Cut an oval out of a clean kitchen sponge.
Place washable tempera paint onto a paper plate or a tray.
Dip the sponge into the paint and stamp on the paper.
Stamping is such a fun process for kids of all ages! For young children, this is a great practice of fine motor coordination and the hand dexterity involved in placing the stamp where they are looking on the paper.
Allow the red, oval stamps to dry completely before moving on to the dots. 
While our ladybug art was drying, we opted to read The Grouchy Ladybug…over…and over…and OVER. But, my kids all enjoyed the book and it made waiting a breeze. And, once their art was dry, they enjoyed drawing the friendly ladybug and the grouchy ladybug.
Once dry, use a black marker to draw the spots and antennae. For some extra fun with older kids, draw different numbers of spots on each ladybug and play a math number game!
Try these two ladybug maths activities – addition with ladybugs and symmetry and doubling with ladybugs
Make these over and over again, kids will love this one! And don’t forget to check out The Grouchy Ladybug while you create your ladybug art.
Katie believes that children learn best through play and hands-on experiences, this is why she writes at the blog, Views From a Step Stool.
She brings her background in special education and her Master’s in Educational Psychology together to write about and develop kids activities that engage the senses and provoke curiosity.
She has co-authored the best-selling book, The Undeniable Power of Play and can be found on Facebook and Instagram sharing her activities and daily life with her 3 young children.
You can find more from Katie on Rainy Day Mum with Gift of the Magi Play Dough Activity for Storybook Advent.
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I love how simple these are but they look fantastic. Perfect for Thank you cards as can be mass produced.