Craft a 3D Cicada: An Exciting Adventure with CreativeCollectiveBlog.com
Dive into the fascinating world of entomology and crafts with our latest project: 3D Cicada Craft. At CreativeCollectiveBlog.com, we bring you a realistic, engaging craft based on the North American Periodical Cicada, a species known for its remarkable life cycle. This craft is perfect for kids aged 8 and up, though younger children can also enjoy it with a little help.
The Magic of Cicadas
The trill of cicadas is synonymous with summer. Here in the Blue Mountains, Australia, their shells are a hot collector’s item for kids. We’ve even incorporated them into crafts like our neon cicada shells. Australian cicadas differ from those in the US, featuring species with cool names like Tom Thumb, Green Grocer, Masked Bandit, Cherry Nose, and Black Prince. These cicadas are annual and their presence is a hallmark of summer, though there are bumper years when we get far more of them.
Age Recommendation and Craft Details
This 3D Cicada Craft is recommended for ages 8 and above, although younger kids can also participate with some assistance. The finished product can be made with optional anatomy labels and comes in full color or a color-your-own option.
A Tale of Two Cicadas
Australian cicadas and their American counterparts are fascinatingly different. While Aussie cicadas emerge annually after 6-7 years underground, the American Periodical Cicadas have a longer cycle, emerging every 13 or 17 years. This year, two broods are emerging simultaneously, creating a rare spectacle dubbed “Cicadageddon” – a treat for entomologists, birds, and frogs alike.
Crafting a 3D Cicada
Creating your own 3D Cicada is a fantastic way to engage with this natural phenomenon. Here’s how you can make your own at CreativeCollectiveBlog.com:
Materials Needed:
- White card stock (2 sheets per cicada plus wing supports)
- Light-colored card stock for the backing sheet
- Crayons, colored pencils, or markers
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Scoring tool, ruler, and cutting mat (recommended; a blunt butter knife can substitute for the scoring tool)
- Printable template, available in our printables store and our TPT Store
Instructions:
- Print and Color:
- Print the cicada body parts, wings, and wing supports on white card stock.
- Print the base sheet with legs on a light-colored card stock.
- If using the color-your-own version, color the shapes and wings.
- Cut and Score:
- Cut out the insect parts and wings, including labels if you are making the labeled version.
- Score the fold lines on the body and head using a ruler and scoring tool (or a blunt butter knife).
- Assemble the Body:
- Fold the tabs on the body, bend into shape, and glue together.
- Fold and glue the head.
- Fold and glue the wing supports into rectangular shapes.
- Attach and Assemble:
- Assemble the cicada on the printed baseboard page.
- Glue the body into the rectangle marked on the baseboard, then attach the head and eyes.
- Insert a wing support into the designated space on the baseboard.
- Glue the wings together and attach them to the thorax.
- Label and Display:
- If using labels, glue them in the appropriate spaces.
- Now, your 3D cicada is ready to be hung on the wall!
Discovering Cicadas in Your Backyard
To add a touch of realism and local flair, here are some pictures of cicadas from my area, taken by me. The cicada is of twotypes Masked Bandit and Green Grocer. They’re big, slow, and clumsy – for insects, they’re quite cute and totally harmless.
Fascinating Facts
Aussie cicadas are known to stay underground for 6-7 years before emerging. In contrast, America has annual cicadas and Periodicals that emerge every 13 or 17 years, depending on their brood. This year, the emergence of two broods at once is a rare event, providing a unique opportunity for craft inspiration.
Join Us at CreativeCollectiveBlog.com
Explore the wonder of 3D Cicada Craft with us. It’s a fun, educational, and engaging activity that brings the magic of nature right to your home. Get started today by visiting CreativeCollectiveBlog.com and downloading our template from the printables store.
