Potato Ladybugs - I saw this idea in a magazine years ago. Draw some black spots on a piece of construction paper with a black crayon. Cut a potato in half and dip half in red paint. Stamp potato over the black spots and let dry. The crayon resists the paint and makes a cute ladybug.

Sandy Ant Hills - This is a really quick and easy crafts for Little Kids and it goes along with the Creepy Crawly Crafts issue of the magazine.

Spread glue out all over a piece of construction paper, then sprinkle sand into the glue. Let that dry completely. Glue raisins onto the paper to make the ants.

You can use the opportunity to talk to your kids about how ants make tunnels and live in the ground to make this a real learning and reinforcement craft project for kids.

Monkey Mask - Print out one of the mask templates (color mask or black and white). Color the mask (if using black and white) and cut out around the monkey head. A parent should do the eyes because it is a little difficult for children. To make it a mask, simply glue a craft stick onto one side of the mask or staple an elastic string to both sides so that child can wear it hands free.

Foot-long Ears - Stamp children's bare footprints using different colored stamp pads or washable paint. Direct them to make a print of both of their feet on butcher block paper. Cut each footprint out in the shape of a bunnyrabbit's ear. Attached to the top of a paper plate. Add a bunnyrabbit's face with markers and pipecleaners for whiskers. Display on the bulletin board advertizing "Bunnies with Footlong Ears."

Paper Plate Elephant - Paint the back of a paper plate gray (or any other color you choose) and let dry. Print out the black and white or color template. Color the parts, if necessary, and cut out the pieces. Glue or staple the ears onto the plate on opposite edges. Make sure you put the ears behind the plate so the tabs don't show. Glue on the trunk and eyes.

Tropical Paper Plate Bird - Paint the back side of a paper plate any color you want and let dry. Cut feather shapes out of various colors of construction paper. Cut a circle out of black construction paper for an eye and an orange triangle for a beak. Fold the paper plate in half and staple on the edge opposite the fold. Put the triangle in the fold of the plate on one edge and staple in place to make the beak. Glue on eye. Glue on construction paper feather shapes where the wings should be. Cut a few strips of tissue paper, streamers, etc. to make the tail. They should be a variety of lengths and about 1-2 inches wide. Gather them up at one end and put them in the fold of the plate opposite the beak and staple in place.