Kids love spending time outdoor and we should encourage them to get muddy exploring nature, mini beasts and being creative with things found in the garden. A new book called Gardening Lab for Kids has the perfect project for young children called Rock Bugs which is easily explained and illustrated here.
Materials
Photos of bugs
Smooth rocks in different shapes and sizes
Pencil
Acrylic paint in all sorts of colors
Small paintbrushes
Polyurethane
Foam brush
Dig in!
Bugs are important to have in the garden: they pollinate, protect biodiversity, eat bad things, and are themselves food for other things. In this Lab, we pay homage to these delightful little creatures by making rock images of them to adorn your garden. You can be as realistic or fanciful with your creations as you wish. Find photos of bugs online or get some bug identification books from the library.
- Make sure the rocks are clean and dry. Select the type of bug you want to paint and outline its design on the rock with pencil. (Fig. 1)
Fig. 1: Draw the bug on the rock.
2. Use the paint to fill in the design. Allow paint to dry overnight. (Fig. 2)
Fig.2. Use the paint to fill in the design. Allow paint to dry overnight. (Fig. 2)
3. Cover the entire design with the polyurethane to preserve your creation. Allow to dry. Place your rock bugs in your garden for everyone to admire. (Fig. 3)
Fig. 3
- Fig. 3
