Bugs Take Shape
Imagination and problem-solving go to work as children check out real bugs and create their own.
1. Look at butterflies and moths, ladybugs, spiders, worms, and a variety of other insects. Talk about what you see in terms of shapes, colors, patterns, and body parts.
2. With Crayola® Model Magic, form a 3-dimensional bug. Repeat the shapes, colors, and patterns found in nature or be imaginative and design a fantasy bug.
3. Use modeling tools such as plastic knives, craft sticks, or drinking straws to cut and shape the dough.
Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project. Observe children closely and intervene as necessary to prevent potential safety problems and ensure appropriate use of arts and crafts materials. Some craft items, particularly beads and buttons, are potential choking hazards for young children. Avoid use of such small parts with children younger than 3 years. Craft items such as scissors, push pins and chenille sticks may have sharp points or edges. Avoid use of materials with sharp points by children younger than 4 years. Read all manufacturers' safety warnings before using arts and craft supplies.
Crayola Modeling Materials including Crayola Model Magic®, and Model Magic Fusion™, Crayola Air-Dry Clay, and Crayola Dough—
- Keep away from open flames. Do not use to make candleholders, hot plates, trivets, or other similar objects that will be used or placed near fire and other heat sources.
- Do not put in an oven, microwave, or kiln.
- Do not make into vessels/containers that will hold unpackaged food.
- The use of modeling material to make items that look like food is discouraged for children younger than age 5 to avoid their confusion with real food.
- Unless sealed with a water-resistant glaze, do not make projects exposed to or immersed in water, such as boats or outdoor bird feeders. They would disintegrate when exposed to moisture.
- Crayola Dough—contains gluten (wheat flour) as an ingredient.
- Crayola Air-Dry Clay, Crayola Model Magic and Model Magic Fusion are gluten-free. However, they are produced on the same machinery as Crayola Dough which does contain gluten. Although the machines are cleaned prior to the start of each production run, there is a slight possibility that trace amounts of gluten from Crayola Dough may be present in the other modeling compound products. For information regarding specific ingredients or allergic concerns, please call our Consumer Affairs department at 1-800-272-9652 weekdays between 9 AM and 4 PM Eastern Standard Time.
Modeling Tools—Use the least dangerous point or edge sufficient to do the job. For example, craft sticks, plastic knives and forks, and cookie cutters can cut or carve modeling materials.
Wood—By its nature, wood is rough and may contain splinters or sharp points
- Encourage more experienced students to notice organic shapes and symmetry in nature and design bugs with these features.
- Younger children and special needs students can write stories about each bug's adventures. Younger children can dictate their stories to an older child or on tape.
- Create an animated video with several bugs. Move bugs and their parts between takes to simulate motion.
- Create models of the various stages of a bug's life cycle, such as caterpillar, larvae, cocoon, and moth.
Insect Symmetry
Sheep to Sweaters
Giant-Size Cell Model
