Painted Rock Bee Art Project

Painting rocks is a popular summer art activity for children of all ages. Today little fingers will explore painting, wrapping, cutting, and gluing as a rock is transformed into an adorable bee. This painted rock bee art project is ideal for summer art camps, art at home, or an insect theme for preschool. Children will be buzzing with excitement as they head outside, choose a rock, and get creative!

GET A FULL WEEK OF BUG THEME ACTIVITIES IN OUR  PRESCHOOL INSECT THEME LESSON PLANS.

As an elementary art teacher through the years, I’ve had quite a few lessons interrupted as a bee found its way inside the art room. Oftentimes children would swat, yell, and tense up as the bee went buzzing by. They feared getting stung. However, over the last few years I’ve noticed that many students are less afraid and some are even vocal and passionate about the benefits of bees.

Bee Facts for Kids

• Bees pollinate many of the fruits and vegetables that we eat.
• All worker bees are female.
• Bees produce honey
• Bees live in hives.
• The queen bee is in charge.
• Bees sting humans when they are threatened.

Art & Nature

I love art projects that get children outside, moving, and exploring their environment. Many children are drawn to rocks whether they love collecting them, throwing them, or using them as art materials. Finding the perfect rock for this project is half the fun! Head to the backyard, visit a park, or walk to the creek to locate a rock. Younger children may benefit from choosing a larger rock as the art making process can be more challenging if a small rock is chosen.

Painted Rock Bee Art Project Materials

• Rocks
• Black Yarn
• Yellow Acrylic Paint
• Paintbrush
• Newspaper
• Googly Eyes
• Red Marker
• Black Paper
• Scissors
• Tacky Glue or Hot Glue

Step By Step Directions to Make Painted Rock Bees

Find It!
Head outside and choose a rock. Long, oval shaped rocks work best. Choose the size of your rock depending if you want to make a little bee or big bee. Please note that a round rock will be challenging to wrap with the yarn.

Paint It!
Paint the whole rock using yellow acrylic paint. If the rock is a dark color you may wish to paint two coats. Let the rock dry.

Wrap It!
Cut a long piece of black yarn and glue it to the back of the rock using tacky glue or hot glue. Begin to wrap the yarn around the rock. As a result, a black and yellow pattern is created. Glue the end of the yarn to the back of the bee.

Finish It!
Cut out two oval shapes or teardrop shapes from newspaper to make the wings. Use black paper to cut out a small triangle for the stinger and add a googly eye. Glue the pieces to the rock. Use a red marker to draw a mouth.

Talk About Art

1. Identify the colors, shapes, and patterns in your work.
2. Name your bee. What types of flowers and crops does she like to visit?
3. Why are some children afraid of bees?
4. Why are bees so beneficial to humans?
5. Can you spot any bees in your backyard? What are they doing?

Art & Literacy
I recommend the picture book Bee & Me by Alison Jay. The story is told through magical and whimsical illustrations rather than words. It’s a beautiful story about an unlikely friendship.

We would love to see your unique painted rock bees! Be sure to tag @fantasticfunandlearning and @youngschoolartwithmr.g on Instagram!

CONNECT WITH VIN GIANNETTO

Learn more about Vin here on his author bio page. Follow along with him on Facebook at Young School Art with Mr. Giannetto and on Instagram @youngschoolartwithmr.g for art project ideas.

MORE ART AND CRAFT PROJECT IDEAS FROM VIN

PRINTABLE INSECT THEME LESSON PLANS

Save time and get right to the playful learning with our printable lesson plan sets. Each set includes over 30 playful learning activities related to the theme, and we’ve provided different versions for home preschool families and classroom teachers so all activities are geared directly toward your needs.

This set currently includes active hands-on learning ideas and the following printables:

1) Editable Name Bug Activity
2) Counting Insect Parts Diagram and Math Activity
3) Here is the Insect Emergent Reader (3 Variations)
4) Uppercase and Lowercase Alphabet and Hand Lens Letter Cards
5) Insect Life Cycle Recording Sheet
6) Insect Counting Puzzles (3 Variations)
7) Insect Patterning Cards
8) Insect Roll and Graph Games (2 Versions)
9) Insect Build A Word Mats
10) Lightning Bug Numbers Counting Activity
11) Insect Size Sorting Activity
12) Insect or Not an Insect Sorting Activity

GET YOUR LESSON PLANS

Home Preschool Insect Theme Lesson Plans

Preschool Classroom Insect Theme Lesson Plans

Also available on Teachers Pay Teachers.