World Environment Day

Learn about the environment and caring for our planet this World Environment Day. What better way to learn than with craft? Environmental craft ideas and activities just for you.

Bug in a Box

Did you know the importance of bugs and insects to our biodiversity? They cycle nutrients, pollinate plants, disperse seeds, maintain soil structure and fertility, control populations of other organisms, and provide a major food source for other animals.

  • Step 1Start by painting an A4 sheet of watercolour paper using the watercolour palette. Blend the bright colours together to create a rainbow pattern. Allow to dry.
  • Step 2Assemble the 2 pieces of a match box and use a permanent pen to decorate the box.
  • Step 3Take the inside piece of the match box and use a pencil to trace around it several times on your decorated watercolour paper. This will create a guide so you know how big to draw your bug.
  • Step 4Use a permanent pen to draw some bugs inside the guides you have just created. Carefully cut the bugs out using scissors. Adult supervision is recommended when using scissors.
  • You may wish to leave some of the guides empty and use the coloured rectangles to make a reverse coloured bug in a box as will be shown in step 8.
  • Step 5Cut a small strip of watercolour paper approximately 1 x 5cm. Fold this strip to create a small raised block and attach to the inside of the match box using glue dots.
  • Step 6Use a glue dot to attach a bug to the raised block you just created.
  • Step 7Complete your Bug In A Box by sliding the match box together!
  • Step 8You can also create a reversed version of the Bug In A Box! Decorate the match box using the coloured watercolour paper and draw a plain black and white bug.

Materials used in this activity

Student Scissors - Pack of 20
Optional
Product Code: 10897
EACH $43.99 (inc GST) $39.99 (ex GST)
3 or more $32.99 (inc GST) $29.99 (ex GST)          
Increase value Decrease value
Micador Stay Anywhere Permanent Pens - Pack of 12
Optional
Product Code: 14216
EACH $43.99 (inc GST) $39.99 (ex GST)
4 or more $37.39 (inc GST) $33.99 (ex GST)          
Increase value Decrease value
Mont Marte Watercolour Palette - 36 Well
Optional
Product Code: 14976
EACH $16.49 (inc GST) $14.99 (ex GST)
12 to 23 $14.29 (inc GST) $12.99 (ex GST) 24 or more $10.71 (inc GST) $9.74 (ex GST)
Increase value Decrease value
CleverPatch Glue Dots - Pack of 300
Optional
Product Code: 15173
EACH $16.49 (inc GST) $14.99 (ex GST)
2 or more $10.71 (inc GST) $9.74 (ex GST)          
Increase value Decrease value
Faber-Castell Junior Grip 2B Pencils - Pack of 50
Optional
Product Code: 17638
EACH $65.99 (inc GST) $59.99 (ex GST)
3 or more $56.09 (inc GST) $50.99 (ex GST)          
Increase value Decrease value
Watercolour Paper Pad - A4 - 15 Sheets
Optional
Product Code: 18985
EACH $16.49 (inc GST) $14.99 (ex GST)
6 or more $12.36 (inc GST) $11.24 (ex GST)          
Increase value Decrease value
Cardboard Match Boxes - White - Pack of 20
Optional
Product Code: 20239
EACH $8.79 (inc GST) $7.99 (ex GST)
5 to 9 $6.59 (inc GST) $5.99 (ex GST) 10 or more $5.27 (inc GST) $4.79 (ex GST)
Increase value Decrease value