Paper Tube Valentine Craft Bugs

Whip up a bunch of these darling Valentine bugs using paper craft tubes.

Making things out of toilet paper tubes is always such a fun and creative way to craft. I love that it includes the element of recycling too. I whipped up these adorable paper tube bugs and think they are super fun for Valentine’s day crafting or really any time of year crafting. With a few changes in paint colors, these bugs could make an adorable craft project and decoration for any celebration.

Materials Needed

Paper Tubes (I LOVE the toilet paper tubes from Grove Collaborative the best!)
Acrylic Paint (DecoArt Americana is my fave)
Paintbrush
Paper Straws
Google Eyes
Embellishements (Buttons, Pom-Poms, Gems)
Black Marker for Smile
Adhesive (I used the Lynn Lilly glue gun from Surebonder)

This paint (Americana by DecoArt) is super cost effective for crafting with kids and works great.

Directions for Paper Tube Bugs

Start by painting the paper tubes with paint and let it dry completely. If you are doing a few at a time, the first one will probably be dry by the time you finish painting your last one! The paint dry time is quick on cardboard.

Add the eyes next. This will ensure that there is a place for them once the other decorations are added.

Next, add two large poms for wings, one on each side of the tube.

Next, add the fun poms, gems, buttons, etc. When working with a hot glue gun, be sure to be extra careful. It works best to have an adult do the gluing and letting the kiddos stick the items to the glue. The Lynn Lilly edition glue gun has a super precision point which is really nice for crafts like this. Glue a half of a paper straw inside of the tube on each side for antennas.

To decorate even further, add either lollipops or pipe cleaners into the straws. Go all out and glue more poms to the tops if you would like.

These bugs are perfect to make for Valentine’s Day in the pinks and reds but could be made anytime using all the colors.

More DIY Bugs Ideas

This craft project with Sculpey Clay is one of my favorites. It goes great with paper tube bugs as an additional craft for a party or in the classroom, as well as at home. ~~I recommend Bake Shop clay for kid projects~~ because it is the easiest to work with.

Another fun bug craft that you might enjoy is making windsocks. Check this project out right HERE and hopefully you will be inspired to just keep on making all the things.