This dragonfly is part of my Bugs Galore collection. I created them several years ago as part of my Craft Market classes. At the time I was working with nursery through kindergarten students and wanted an easy activity where the kiddos could use their creativity as well as continue to build on their fine motor skills.

What I also like about it is that it uses supplies that are either easily attainable (Amazon, Michaels, Hobby Lobby etc.) or you already have them on hand. The only thing that I see as potentially problematic is having a drill with bits to drill 3/64″ sized holes. Potentially you could use a needle to poke a hole or use a hammer and small nail. If using either of those two methods, be careful to not splinter the wood piece. Or you could buy one of our DIY kits that comes with the pre-drilled holes. It is a fun way to spend an hour.

Check out the tutorial below.

Supplies that come in our kits: 1 piece dragonfly body, 4 pieces wings, 4 mini brads, 2 Swarovski Crystal eyes, glitter.

Additional supplies: markers, tacky glue, paint brush, toothpick and tweezers (optional)

First step is to color the dragonfly body. While I used markers for this project, you can use colored pencils, crayons or paint I highly recommend coloring the edges of the body too. This gives the dragonfly a nice finished look. And if you are as anal as I am, color the bottom too. Because I used oil based markers, I have learned to use something to hold what I am coloring otherwise I get the color on my hands. You could also just color one side, wait until it dries before coloring the other side. Once finished set aside to dry.

I decided to created a pattern of sorts for the wings. Again I recommend coloring the sides as well as the bottom.

Wings all done. Set aside to dry.

This step is optional but I like to include it as my form of creativity and to give my dragonfly more definition. Set aside too dry.

Paint the top side of the wings with a little glue.

Sprinkle some glitter over the glue. Gently tap off any excess and set aside to set. Repeat on the other wings. If you do this over a paper plate or paper, you can return the excess glitter to the bottle.

Almost done. Time to connect the wings to the body. I’m always fascinated by how my younger students – 2 and 3 year olds – are always determined to get the brads in the holes with out any help from an adult.

Insert the first brad into one of the wings as shown above.

Holding onto both the wing and the brad, insert the brad into one of the holes in the dragonfly body.

Making sure to hold the brad in place, turn the dragonfly upside down and press the brad legs down in opposing directions. Then repeat with the other wings.

Once all the wings are attached, turn dragonfly right side up and using a toothpick, add a dab of glue in the eye area.

The only thing left is to add the eyes.

Voila! Once the glue is on, drop the jeweled eyes on top. Press down briefly. I know for some people, the jeweled eyes make look oversized but if you look at actual photos of dragonflies, you will see the same thing: they have oversized eyes.

Little Lav, my purple dragonfly is all done! What do you think?

When you make yours, please take a photo and post it on your comments

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