DLTK's Crafts for Kids
Ladybug Birthday Party Ideas

Our site has loads of free printables for use at a Ladybug themed Birthday Party (in the summer theme), including greeting cards, treat bags, doorknob hangers, coloring pages and crafts.  We also have a unique ladybug birthday invitation that's different than the standard printables on our site.  Many of these are needed for every party and many of the others make great treat bag additions or even gifts for the birthday boy or girl.  Check out our Insects Section for all of these and more.  

But we all know there's more to a party than things you print out!  Here are some ideas to fill in the gaps:
 

ACTIVITIES/GAMES:

One viewer suggests:

• The paper mache frog with frozen juice lid ladybugs are a great game.  You could make bean bag ladybugs instead of juice can lid ones if you prefer.
• Annie suggests:  play a bean bag toss game. Make leaves from fun foam for the kids to toss the bean bag ladybugs onto - the leaves could be different sizes, with the smaller pads having higher 'points'
• create leaves out of old carpet squares, mats or large sheets of fun foam.  You play music and they 'fly' around the pads but mustn't touch them until you stop the music and everyone has to dash for a pad like musical chairs.
• pin the spots on the ladybug.  Make a felt ladybug with no spots, then make black felt spots and put the rough the rough side on the back of the spots, you don't need the softer side.  Draw some middle-sized spots with a sharpie, those are the targets.
  
  If you want to make easier don't have any targets just see how your ladybug looks after everyone's turn -- this is great for younger children when you want everyone to be a winner.
• I bought some canvas fabric and made some small tote bags.  I had the kids use fabric paints to put red fingerprints on the bags, and I used black permanent marker to add the details.
• For lots of craft ideas, peek at DLTK's Ladybug Craft Section

DECORATIONS:

One viewer suggests:

• Red and Black streamers and balloons would work well with the Ladybug theme.
• Red table cloth.  Cut out black circles from felt and glue or stitch it on.
• anntena headbands:  I went to a craft store and bought plastic headbands for about .70 cents each and wrapped them in red ribbon, then I used black pipe cleaners and glued black pompoms to the ends.  I used the headband instead of party hats.  You can also make construction paper ladybug crowns
• i would even buy a red dress for my daughter and add black spots on it and wear with black tights so she can be a "ladybug"
• Make ladybug aprons for all the girls -- use red canvas or cotton material and add black spots with fabric paint.  Wear your aprons while decorating sugar cookies.
• I made ladybugs from paper plates to use as wall decorations.
• For the treat bags, my plan is to buy red lunch bags and use any round black construction paper circles to decorate them and just put candy, a coloring picture, possibly a red pencil

FOOD:

The purchase of one appropriately shaped cookie cutter can go a long way!

• I made circle shaped cookies with red frosting and black spots (brown m&ms)) - the same idea can be done on cupcakes.
• The children can decorate their cookies with icing and sprinkles as a food activity.
• Glue small images (from coloring pages or clipart) onto toothpicks.  Let dry.  Stick in the top of cupcakes for an instant theme party treat!
• Lady Bug Cookies -Frozen Pillsbury Sugar Cookies.  Slice and place on cookie sheet. Make a capital T with brown or black icing on the uncooked cookie.  Use red cookie confection decoration sugar to color the wings. Mark the eyes and the poca-dots with mini m&m's. Everyone can design their own cookie and then 9 minutes later, cool & eat it!
• Ladybug Cakes:  three-D egg cake pan or a metal bowl to back a cake with a rounded top and flat bottom.  I made red frosting and used jr-mints or oreo cookies for the spots and eyes, then I used black licorice for the eye lashes, legs, and antennas.  I dyed coconut green for the grass under the ladybugs.  Then I made large flower shaped cookies and iced them and placed them around the cakes.