Are you looking for an easy and fun Valentine’s Day craft to make with your kids? Our Popsicle Stick Love Bug craft is the perfect choice! Made with wide popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, and paper heart wings, these adorable craft stick love bugs are a sweet keepsake for kids to make and share with loved ones.
We have so many lovely Valentine’s Day crafts on our website! If you like love bugs, you may also enjoy our Pine Cone Love Bugs.
Popsicle Stick Love Bug Craft DIY
Do you have a little love bug at home? My youngest love bug—pictured above—is now 15 and 6’3″. I can hardly believe it! I’ll probably always use his cute little photo for my keepsake popsicle stick crafts, haha!
Our love bug craft is a great way to help kids develop fine motor skills! As kids cut out the paper heart wings, paint popsicle sticks, and glue on googly eyes and pipe cleaners, they practice hand-eye coordination and precision. These hands-on activities strengthen the tiny muscles in their fingers and hands, making this craft both fun and beneficial for early childhood development.
Craft Supplies Needed for Love Bug Valentine Craft
Before you start this craft, make sure you’ve got all the right supplies!
- Popsicle Stick Love Bug Craft Template (free with email subscription)
- Wide popsicle sticks (6)
- Standard popsicle sticks (2)
- Acrylic paint – We used black.
- Paintbrush
- Cardstock – We used white, black, and red.
- Scissors
- Pipe cleaner – We chose black.
- Wallet-sized photograph
- Tacky craft glue or Glue Dots
- Hot glue gun
- Magnet (optional)
Watch the Video Tutorial
Watch the video below to see how we made our heart tree craft!
How to Make a Popsicle Stick Love Bug
This love bug craft is such a great gift for parents, grandparents, and family friends. Follow along with the step-by-step instructions below so you can make your own!
STEP 1: Print the free template. Start by downloading and printing the popsicle stick love bug craft printable. Access the materials by clicking the link in the supplies list and subscribing to our free craft newsletter. After subscribing, navigate to the post in our Substack titled Popsicle Stick Love Bug to find your download link.
Print the “My Little Love Bug” template on white cardstock, and the template with the hearts on two different colored sheets of cardstock. We chose black and red.
STEP 2: Make the popsicle stick base. Position 6 wide popsicle sticks next to each other. Hot glue two standard-sized popsicle sticks to the top, as pictured below.
STEP 3: Paint the popsicle sticks. When the glue is dry, flip the popsicle stick base over and paint the flat surface.
STEP 4: Cut out the hearts and words. While the paint is drying, use scissors to cut out the hearts and text.
STEP 5: Attach the bug’s wings. Glue the wings (the large hearts) to the back of the popsicle stick base.
STEP 6: Decorate the wings. Drop a dab of glue onto each paper heart, then press them onto the love bug’s wings.
STEP 7: Create the bug’s antennae. Bend a pipe cleaner in half and trim it to your desired size. Glue a large heart to each side.
STEP 8: Add the photo and text. Glue your child’s photo and the text to the love bug’s body, as pictured below. If desired, hot glue a magnet to the back of the love bug so your child can hang it on the refrigerator!
Love Bug Popsicle Stick Craft Variation
Not into photo keepsakes? Follow along with steps 1–7. When you are finished adding the antennae as described in step 7, hot glue two large wiggly eyes and a pipe cleaner mouth to your love bug’s face The end result is too cute for words!
Helpful Tips
Use these tips and tricks to ensure your craft stick love bug turns out beautifully!
- Prepare the supplies: Pre-glue the popsicle sticks to make the crafting process safer and easier for young kids. You can also pre-cut the hearts and text so everything is ready to go!
- Use acrylic paint: We tested both washable and acrylic paint on the popsicle sticks. While washable paint works well, acrylic paint provides more solid and even coverage. Keep in mind that acrylic paint stains clothes, so be sure to wear smocks or old clothing. To speed up drying, use a hairdryer on a warm setting.
- Laminate the hearts: If you plan to save this craft long-term, laminating the paper hearts and text will protect them from wrinkles and moisture.
Take it Further
Looking for ways to extend the fun? Here are some of our top ideas:
- Pair this craft with a book about love bugs. Try The Berenstain Bears’ Valentine Love Bug or Love Bug by Rosie Greening.
- Use this craft to explore colors and shapes.
- Decorate your love bug’s wings with Valentine’s Day stickers.
- Make this craft with your students for them to bring home on Valentine’s Day.
- Offer this craft as a make-and-take at your community library or nature center program.
More Valentine’s Day Craft Ideas for Kids
Need more creative ideas? These simple Valentine’s Day crafts are fun for kids of all ages.
- Heart Buddies Craft for Kid
- Woven Heart Craft for Kids
- Valentine Suncatchers
- Sports-Themed Valentine Hedgehog Card
- Twirling Love Bugs from Crafts by Amanda
Save This Craft
Save this craft on Pinterest using the image below!
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