Toilet Paper Roll Love Bug Craft

Turn your empty Toilet Paper Rolls into this cute Love Bug Craft for Valentine’s Day! The kids will have so much making this easy toilet paper roll love bug craft at their Valentine’s Day party, classroom or at home. Quick, easy and made with everyday supplies you probably already have.

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Overhead Photo of Multiple Love Bugs Completed

Valentine’s Day is always so much fun when the kids are little! They get so excited to hand out sweet treat and thoughtful crafts or cards to their friends and family…and maybe even their little crush. So, I love when we have time to sit down and make cute Valentine’s crafts that are extra special to hand out.

The kids love to make this toilet paper roll love bug craft! It’s absolutely adorable and gives them room to be creative and use their imagination. This Valentine’s love bug is the perfect way for them to be able to give a thoughtful gifts to a special friend of theirs, or even to warm the hearts of grandma and grandpa! So starting in January, save those leftover toilet paper rolls so that you can make this super cute little buggy buddy.

Why You’ll Love this Toilet Paper Roll Love Bug Craft

  • The materials needed for this craft are very affordable and leftovers can easily be used in many other crafts and activities.
  • This craft is simple enough for kids of all ages to create!
  • It only takes a total of about 25 minutes to complete your love bug craft from start to finish.
Overhead Image of the Love Bug Craft Supplies

What You’ll Need to make this Love Bug Craft

  • Toilet paper roll – This craft is the perfect way to recycle your toilet paper rolls! If you don’t have enough toilet paper rolls, you can cut empty paper towel rolls in half too.
  • Construction paper, pink and red – I prefer to use construction paper in this craft since it’s a little easier to work with, but you could also use card stock.
  • Ruler – You’ll need a standard, classroom, ruler for this love bug craft.
  • Pencil – Either a pencil, or any other writing utensil, will be needed to trace the template you will print out.
  • Scissors – If you are working with young children, consider using safety scissors instead of standard scissors.
  • Stapler and staples – I like using a small craft stapler, since it’s easier to maneuver and stable in small areas. If you don’t have a stapler, you can use craft glue, but keep in mind that it will increase the time in which you can complete your craft.
  • Assorted card stock – Card stock will be used for the “body parts” of the bug. Use card stock instead of construction paper so that the parts will be more sturdy and won’t flop over on your little love bug. 
  • Pipe cleaners – You can use regular pipe cleaners or get the sparkly pipe cleaners, either will work great!
  • Markers – You’ll need a marker to draw a mouth on your love bug. Use washable markers if you’re working with young children.
  • Self-adhesive jewels – You can find these at your local craft store or on the craft aisle of your grocery store. If you’re unable to find them, you can use jewels that needs to be glued, or use a button or craft pom pom and glue it on.
  • Eyeball stickers – If you’re having trouble finding these stickers, check the scrapbooking aisle at your craft store. If you still can’t find them, grab some googly eyes or just free hand the eyes on you love bug craft.
Love Bug Template for the Wings and Antennas of the Love Bugs

How to make a Toilet Paper Roll Love Bug

FOLD: Grab a sheet of pink or red construction paper and fold it in half vertically. Cut along the fold and the fold each half again and cut, making a 6-inch strip.

WRAP: Take one of your empty toilet paper rolls and wrap it with one of the strips of paper. Stable the back to attach it to the roll, or use craft glue to keep it in place. Cut some 1/2 inch strips out of your decorative card stock, and wrap them around the roll and staple them in place.

CREATE: Take your full size pipe cleaners and cut them in half. Grab 3 pipe cleaners, pinch them in the center, and twist to combine them. Staple them in the center on the back of your love bug to create the legs.

PRINT: Print out the love bug template on a sheet of paper. Use the template as a guide to trace the body parts for your love bug onto card stock. Carefully cut out each one and set it aside.

DECORATE: The two large hearts that you cut out from the template are going to be the wings. Staple each one to the back of the bug, behind the already attached legs. Then, attach the antennas on the back, near the top of your love bug.

FINISH: To add the finishing touches, use your marker to give your Valentine’s love bug a happy smile! Then, attach the eyeball stickers or googly eyes and add the nose. Add any extra personal touches and the love bug craft is ready to go!

I can’t find patterned card stock. What else can I use?

If you’re unable to find card stock with patterns on it and don’t want your love bug to be solid colors, you can use washi tape as the bands around the body of the love bug. You can also cut out your wings on card stock and add a cute pattern yourself! Or, pop some Valentine’s themed stickers on the wings to break up the solid colors.

Can I paint my toilet paper rolls instead of wrapping them?

Sure! If you don’t want to wrap your toilet paper rolls in construction paper, painting them is a great option. Choose some Valentines colors and paint a light layer of paint onto the rolls. Be sure you let them fully dry before attaching all of the other parts.

Pro Tips for the best Toilet Paper Roll Love Bug Craft

  • If you want to jazz up this cute Valentine’s craft, use glitter glue or regular glitter and craft glue to add some sparkle wherever you think it’s needed!
  • Give your love bug’s legs some feet by attaching little beads to the end of the pipe cleaners! Just slide the bead on and twist the pipe cleaner end so the bead can’t slide off.
  • Decorate your love bug with Valentine’s stickers to personalize each one a bit more!
Competed Love Bug Crafts

How cute are these little toilet paper roll love bugs? They’re so easy to make and so creative and unique! If you’re ready to make even more love bugs, then check out these love bug class valentines.

More Valentine’s Crafts and Activities You’ll Love

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Love Bug Craft Square Image

Toilet Paper Roll Love Bug Craft

Turn your leftover toilet paper roll into this easy Love Bug Craft for Valentine's Day!
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 1 Love Bug Craft

Instructions

  • Let’s start by grabbing a piece of pink or red construction paper and folding it in half vertically. Cut the folded piece in half vertically and horizontally again, making a 6-inch strip.
  • Next, take your empty toilet paper roll, wrap it with the strip of previously cut paper, and staple it a few times in the back to secure it.
  • Take a piece of decorative card stock and cut a few 1/2-inch strips about 6 inches long. Wrap the strips around the toilet paper roll. Staple the strips to secure them in the back.
  • Now take your pipe cleaners and cut them in half. Once cut, grab 3 pipe cleaners, pinch them in the center and twist them to combine the “legs” of the love bug. Staple the legs to the back of the love bug.
  • Print the “love bug” template. Use the guide to trace your bug's wings and “antenna.” Cut out your tracings and set them aside. (Note: If you do not have a printer available, you can freehand your bug’s body parts)
  • It’s time to attach the wings. Grab the 2 large hearts that you cut out from the template. These will be the wings. Staple each heart to the back of the bug. Once secure, you can rearrange the bug's legs.
  • Next, let’s attach the “antenna”! Grab your previously cut “antenna” and secure them with staples near the top of the back of the love bug.
  • Grab your marker and give this guy a smile! You can use an adhesive jewel for the nose and an eyeball sticker to finish it off.
  • Get ready for an afternoon of fun with these adorable love bugs!!!

Notes

I CAN’T FIND PATTERNED CARD STOCK. WHAT ELSE CAN I USE?
If you’re unable to find card stock with patterns on it and don’t want your love bug to be solid colors, you can use washi tape as the bands around the body of the love bug. You can also cut out your wings on card stock and add a cute pattern yourself! Or, pop some Valentine’s themed stickers on the wings to break up the solid colors.
CAN I PAINT MY TOILET PAPER ROLLS INSTEAD OF WRAPPING THEM?
Sure! If you don’t want to wrap your toilet paper rolls in construction paper, painting them is a great option. Choose some Valentines colors and paint a light layer of paint onto the rolls. Be sure you let them fully dry before attaching all of the other parts.
PRO TIPS FOR THE BEST TOILET PAPER ROLL LOVE BUG CRAFT
  • If you want to jazz up this cute Valentine’s craft, use glitter glue or regular glitter and craft glue to add some sparkle wherever you think it’s needed!
  • Give your love bug’s legs some feet by attaching little beads to the end of the pipe cleaners! Just slide the bead on and twist the pipe cleaner end so the bead can’t slide off.
  • Decorate your love bug with Valentine’s stickers to personalize each one a bit more!
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