Love Bugs

When I was a little girl, I remember making "Love Bugs" out of yarn, so I decided to make a similar craft with my boys. They are simple to make, and they are great for kids of all ages. How cute is this Yarn Love Bug for Valentine's Day?




Want to make one {or a bunch}?  Here's what you'll need:  yarn, an empty egg carton, googly eyes, pom poms, pipe cleaners, a scrap of cardboard, scissors, and beads {or other embellishments}.

Step 1:  Wrap yarn (approximately 60-100 times... depending on the thickness of the yarn) around a piece of cardboard (which should be approximately 3-4 inches high).  When you have finished wrapping, tie a piece of yarn tightly around the top of the wrapped yarn and cut the bottom.  (See picture below.)


Step 2:  Spread out the yarn, and glue it to the top of an egg carton.


Step 3:  This is when I got the boys involved.  I gave them the egg cartons covered in yarn, and let them decorate their "Love Bugs" any way they wanted to.  (I helped them add the pipe cleaner antennae because it was a bit tricky, but they did the rest themselves.) 



The boys added: beads (with their initials) to the antennae, googly eyes, pom pom noses, and pipe cleaner mouths.  So much fun!



I think they turned out really cute, and they are a perfect Valentine's Day craft for kids.  I hope you have fun making these adorable love bugs with your little "Sweethearts".

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

PS - You can find out how to make "Love Bug kits" to share with friends here. (Free printable instructions included.)



50 comments:

  1. Those are so cute! They make me smile :)

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  2. Too cute for words! Pinning this to my Valentine's Board on Pinterest.

    Just stopped in from Sharing Saturday and am now a new follower on GFC.

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    1. Thanks, Jenny! Don't you just love Pinterest??? I have a Valentines Board too. So much fun!

      http://pinterest.com/eastcoastmommy/valentines-day/

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  3. Totally adorable!!! I'm pinning these...and I'd looove if you'd share them here at my party! My son is going to love making some.

    http://oneartmama.blogspot.com/2012/01/shine-on-fridays-10-and-some-fabulous.html

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  4. Hi! Visiting from tt&j! Super cute craft to do with the kiddos.. thanks for the idea :)

    Feel free to link this up to my Friday link party too! :)

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  5. so cute!!

    Natasha xx

    www.serenityyou.blogspot.com

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  6. Your little love bugs are so cute!!!

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  7. Super cute bugs, (theirs something I don't say often lol). I would love for you to share at my weekly fri-monday linky and at my Valentine contest that starts Monday! You could win some fun prizes for your Valentine posts. Hope to see you soon.
    http://bacontimewiththehungryhypo.blogspot.com/

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  8. yes..way cute!!
    I am your newer follower..pls follow back if you can!

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  9. These little guys did turn out SUPER CUTE!!! I love it... so creative. I'm your newest follower via GFC & FB. Thanks so much for sharing this with us on Sharing Saturday.

    ~MiaB
    www.mamamiasheart2heart.com

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  10. These look so fun! I'd love to have you link up this post to my Valentine Link Party going on now! http://michellepaige.blogspot.com/2012/01/rockin-valentine-valentine-link-party.html

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  11. Thanks so much for linking up your Valentine Love Bugs--just adorable!

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  12. These are so cute, I really want to try these. Thanks for sharing on Monday Madness.

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  13. Soooo CUTE!!! We made some pom-pom ones last year for my sons class. These are so adorable that I may try these this year:)

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  14. Gina, Super cute project allowing quality time with the kids! I think the Love bugs are great! Looks like your boys had fun doing them too! Thanks for sharing!

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  15. Thank you for linking these up! I shared them in Valentines round up today!

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  16. These are adorable. Visiting from the 2011 Best of....linky. :)
    Kristi

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  17. Just found your blog, it looks awesome! We are SAHM and also on the east coast.

    Great blog, I look forward to catching up on all your posts!

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  18. Cool! I looked at this a few times so that means I might be considering it ;-) I'm not crafty but I think I'll get these rainy day supplies. Stopping by from Katherine's Corner.

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  19. Cute yes!!!Thank you for joining in the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop. Big Hugs!

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  20. Thanks so much for sharing at the Kiss & Tell party over at I Gotta Create!

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  21. Oh these are soooooooooo cute!

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  22. These are so cute I no my kids will love making them. Thanks.

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  23. My kiddos would love these! Great craft idea for Valentines Day! Stopping by from TT&J!

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  24. very cute! What a great kids craft!
    I would love for you to link up at Handmade 52! http://raisingoranges.blogspot.com/2012/01/handmade-52-3.html

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  25. This is SO cute! I would love it if you would link this up to the Tuesday Talent Show this Tuesday at Chef in Training! I hope to see you again next Tuesday!
    -Nikki
    Chef in Training
    http://www.chef-in-training.com

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  26. So so cute. I hope you will link up to my I Heart Projects Party!
    http://www.itsybitsypaperblog.com/2012/01/i-heart-projects-linky-party.html

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  27. These bugs are really cute. i know my boys would love them.

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  28. These are so adorable and creative! Pinned them at http://pinterest.com/nwfpins/wild-crafts/

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    1. Thanks, Gretchen. I love Pinterest too!!!

      http://pinterest.com/eastcoastmommy/

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  29. Very cute!! I would have never guessed an egg carton! Thanks so much for sharing! Sharing on my networks :)

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  30. These are adorable! Found you through Serendipity and Spice Linky Party.

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  31. Found you via Pinterest....so glad I found you!!

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  32. I featured your love bug today! http://michellepaige.blogspot.com/2012/01/valentine-love-bugs.html

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  33. I made these with my kids tonight . . . & got told that I'm the "best mommy" - thanks for the cute idea.

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    1. So nice! Thanks for sharing that with me. It seriously makes me sooooooo happy to hear stuff like this. :-)

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  34. Super cute little bugs!!
    -Heather
    @ www.made-famous-by.com

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  36. You bring back memories. My now 19 year old son made a blue one his first year in Cub Scouts and they were used for table decorations at their Blue and Gold banquet.

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  37. These are adorable!!!! I've tried to make the little yarn poofs (much like this) before--I always end up cutting in the wrong spot and the whole thing falls apart!!! :)

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  38. I LOVE these guys! They kind of remind me of the old McDonald's Fry kids. :) Thanks for linking up to my Family Fun Friday!

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  39. Wow, those are super cute. Thanks for linking up at Artsy Play Wednesday. Pinned to my Valentine's Board.

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  40. These are so cute! I run a family story time at my local library on Saturdays- can I use this post for my craft slideshow? I would of course give all credit to you and include your link, and can send you a preview if you'd like.

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