Crafts Ideas to Make an Arthropod

Arthropods are cold-blooded invertebrate creatures. Many insects, crustaceans, arachnids and other animal classifications are arthropods. If you are either learning or teaching about arthropods, you can use crafts to create models or images of these creatures.

Create models of butterflies using household items and craft supplies. Use two coat hangers to create the body, antennae and wings of a butterfly. Twist them together by the hooks at the top, and make sure both hooks remain on the same side. They should look like antennae. Stretch nylon mesh fabric over the wings (triangle wire parts of the coat hangers), and tie it in place at the back of your butterfly. Snip the excess nylon off so that it is not bulky. Use paint, glitter and markers to design your butterfly's wing pattern. For educational purposes, look at photos of actual butterflies and copy an accurate pattern. If this project is just for fun, decorate the wings anyway you like. Hang the butterflies around your room or classroom by the antennae.

Create a ladybug (beetle) with a bowl and some paper mache. Flip an old bowl or other rounded container upside down and cover it with plastic wrap. Mix water and glue in a disposable cup and dip strips of newspaper into it. Apply the gluey strips to the bowl until it is completely covered. Allow it to dry, and remove the paper mache dome from the bottom of the bowl. Use modeling clay to create a head for your beetle, and attach it to one side of the dome. Paint it to decorate it as a ladybug or even a black beetle. Use hot glue to attach black pipe cleaners to the bottom of the dome. Glue them on the inside of the dome so that the end of the pipe cleaner is not visible. Bend the legs until the beetle stands on its own. Stick two black pipe cleaners into the clay head as well.

Run five lengths of crafting wire through a large bead. Wrap one length around the bead once, and attach a medium size bead to create a head. Twist the wires to hold the head in place. Bead the other lengths of wire and secure them at the ends. The four lengths should still be through the large bead, and they should look like eight legs. Hang your spider somewhere, positioned as if it were spinning a web, or just display it on a tabletop.