Can you make a cicada cute? That’s what I asked myself after I had far too many people ask me to create a cute cicada art project that would celebrate the emergence of this (creepy) insect.
A friend suggested giving it a smile.
Or cute feet.
But finally I decided that maybe I should just add polka dots to the background. Polka dots make everything cute, right?
First, a little history
One of my favorite things when creating art projects to do is discover those little tidbits. And entomology, a field that seems typically reserved for boys, has a lot of women behind it that have never gotten credit. This includes the woman Margaretta Hare Morris, the woman who discovered that there isn’t just one type of cicada. There’s an annual one, and one that comes out every 17 years, like Brood X that you may remember from 2021.
That is a very patient bug. A bug in quarantine for 17 years – no wonder it’s singing!
As a side note, my younger daughter wasn’t interested in my cicada. She was determined to make hers cuter than mine.
Ruining your cicada
There’s been a lot of shade thrown at those beloved art supplies – markers and crayons. And I know – I know how hard it’s been to look at the projects with all of the gorgeous supplies, like clay, and long for those days again.
But that’s where I’m happy to come in and share some projects that use these simple supplies, but keep the imagination and creativity hopping. So let’s get to it!
To start off this project, all you need is a piece of white paper, a Sharpie, and crayons. That makes it easy-peasy to teach in any situation – 700 on a cart, or 1 at the dining table.
It starts by drawing the body of the bug in steps, including the feet, but not the wings.
Then comes the fun part – using the Sharpie and coloring over the entire body, including all of those fancy lines you just drew.
The entire time I was coloring in the body, I was singing “ruin the cicada!” to my kids’ fury. Then they realized, they could still see the original lines. Mom – 1, kids – 1239081209. One day I’ll catch up.
But then I brought out the crayons.
Crayons are fun to use over Sharpie. They give just a slight hint of color, perfect for the blue-white iridescence of an insect’s body.
Finish with the legs, and the wings, using oranges, and yellows.
If it’s still too creepy at the end? Just add polka dots. To everything. And pretend the feelers are a mustache.
Click the banner below to download your full cicada art project pdf along with a step-by-step cicada drawing guide and enjoy!
We would love it if you’d share!
Don’t forget to tag us at @soulsparklettes on social media if you make this cicada art project with your kids or students – we love to see what you create!
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