This ping pong ball firefly craft is an adorable way to make your own little lightning bug that actually glows! With a ping pong ball body, colourful wings, pipe cleaner antennae, and a battery-operated tea light, this cute firefly lights up with a soft glow.
Kids will have fun putting together their fireflies and decorating each one with a sweet little face. They’re perfect for a summer or camping craft, a bug themed activity, or just for making on a rainy afternoon. Turn on the tea light when you’re finished and watch your tiny firefly shine!
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How to Make a Ping Pong Ball Firefly
Materials:
Equipment:
See the craft in action:
Instructions:
Step 1: Find what you need
- Gather your supplies and materials
Step 2: Make the wings
- Print our firefly wing pattern and cut out the template.You can find the link in the materials list above, with more information found below the tutorial.
- Then trace the template onto cardstock and cut out the wings.
- To make the wings look more 3D you’ll want to create a flat part at the center of the wings.To do this, place a ruler just off center and then bend the wing over the ruler. Repeat with the other wing.
Step 3: Make the firefly body
- Have an adult use a craft knife to cut a hole in one side of the ping pong ball. It should be larger enough for the tealight “flame” to fit in.Ping pong balls have 2 sides that are softer, so cut on one of these sides to make it easier for you.
- Add a line of hot glue around the opening on the ping pong ball.
- Insert the flameless tealight into the ping pong ball. Press the ping pong ball down and hold in place for a few seconds so it sits nice and straight.
Step 4: Add the details
- Add a line of hot glue to the center of the wings.Place them onto the ping pong ball, placing them high up on the back.
- To make an antenna roll a pipe cleaner in on itself a few times. Then cut the pipe cleaner a little bit longer than you want the antenna to be.
- Fold the bottom 1/8 inch of the antenna back. This is what you’ll glue to the ping pong ball.
- 10 – Repeat to make a second antenna. Fold the bottom piece the opposite way so the rounded parts face out on both antennae.
- Add 2 tiny dots of glue to the top of the ping pong ball, near the front. Attach the antenna pieces.Once the glue is dry and the pipe cleaners won’t slide around, you can gently curve the antennae until you’re happy with the look.
- Attach 2 googly eyes to the front of the ping pong ball. Our eyes were self-adhesive, but you can also use the glue gun to attach them.
- Then use a black Sharpie marker to draw a little smiling mouth and a pink Sharpie to add 2 circles of blush.
- Your ping pong ball firefly craft is complete!
- Have fun making your fireflies in different colours! Turn on the tealight and then turn off the lights to watch them glow!
Helpful Tips:
- Have an adult cut the ping pong ball. Cutting the opening requires a craft knife or another sharp tool, so this step should always be done by an adult.
- Cut through one of the softer sides. Ping pong balls have two slightly softer areas along the sides. Cutting through one of these sections makes it much easier to create the opening for the tea light.
- Test the tea light first. Make sure your battery-operated tea light turns on and works properly before gluing the ping pong ball in place.
Download our free firefly wings template:
Click on the link below to download our free, printable firefly wing pattern! The PDF file will open in a new window. Then simply print the template of your choice on 8.5 x 11 (letter size) printer paper or cardstock.
>> Firefly Craft Wings Template <<
What can I use for the wings of this firefly craft?
We used cardstock because it holds its shape well while still being easy to cut. You can also try:
- Construction paper
- Felt
Each material gives the firefly a slightly different look, so feel free to use whatever you have on hand!
What kind of marker works on this ping pong ball firefly craft?
Permanent markers, such as Sharpies, work really well for drawing the firefly’s face and adding colour to the ping pong ball. We don’t recommend washable markers, like Crayola markers. They tend to bead up on the smooth plastic surface and can wipe off easily.
You can also use paint markers if you have them. They give you a darker, more opaque colour than regular permanent markers.
These ping pong ball fireflies are such a fun way to turn a few simple craft supplies into a cute little bug that actually lights up! Kids can mix and match wing colours, antennae, and faces to give each firefly its own personality.
Turn on the tea light when you’re finished and watch your tiny lightning bug glow. They’re perfect for spring and summer crafting, bug-themed activities, or adding a little extra fun to a camping night at home.
Here’s even more bug craft ideas:
Now available
Low-Mess Crafts for Kids Book
72 cute and fun crafts that kids and parents alike can enjoy. All with as little mess as possible!
Where to buy:
You can purchase Low-Mess Crafts for Kids from Amazon, or wherever books are sold:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Amazon Canada
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