A summer rhinoceros beetle craft that kids love!
Speaking of summer, making beetles (kabutomushi) is always a huge hit with kids!
How about age-appropriate projects using paints, crayons, and scissors, as well as clay or origami?
Since it’s especially hot outside in summer, indoor crafts that kids can enjoy are extremely popular.
With the kabutomushi craft we’re introducing here, you’re sure to see each child create their very own unique, original beetle.
Be sure to try making them together!
Note: Since items made by children are treated as “artworks,” we use the term “制作 (seisaku)” in the text to mean “creation/work.”
Beetle crafts for summer that kids love! (1–10)
Making a rhinoceros beetle out of newspaper
One of the largest beetles in the world, the Hercules beetle, is popular not only with children but also with adults.
Its name is said to come from Hercules, the greatest hero in Greek mythology, reflecting its impressive size.
Let’s try shaping and making this beetle out of newspaper.
It’s known for its magnificent horn and yellow wings, and you can realistically recreate these using only newspaper.
From the finished look it might seem difficult, but the process is simple.
Since you’ll be tearing and crumpling newspaper to make it, kids can have fun creating it too.
If you cleverly match the colors from newspaper photos to the beetle’s body color, you can make an even more wonderful piece.
Making a rhinoceros beetle out of clay
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-AEGrTBfnm/This time, let’s try making rhinoceros beetles with clay—it’s also a great sensory activity! Prepare clay boards and have each child make their own beetle.
While you work, it’s a good idea to look together at the shape of the beetle’s horn and legs.
You can also read a picture book with clear illustrations or photos of rhinoceros beetles before you start, so the children can see what they look like.
After making the beetles with clay, use colored construction paper or poster paper to create a simple “home,” and display the children’s beetles for everyone to enjoy.
You might even spark a brand-new way to play!
A rhinoceros beetle that runs on a paper cup
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C94cAm3timr/Cut a paper cup in half with scissors and cut the bottom (the “tail” end) into a rounded shape.
Next, make the beetle’s legs.
Make two slits on the left and right near the bottom of the cup and fold those sections outward.
Once that’s done, take two bottle caps, place them together with a small ball of clay or another weight inside, and tape them with cellophane tape.
Attach two rubber bands as well, and hook them onto the slits you made earlier to secure them.
Cut colored construction paper to fit the beetle’s back and glue it on.
Cut out the horn and legs from colored paper, glue them in place, and make the eyes with stickers to finish! Wind up the rubber bands and your rhinoceros beetle will start to move.
[Ages 4–5] Easy Rhinoceros Beetle Craft Made with Toilet Paper
![[Ages 4–5] Easy Rhinoceros Beetle Craft Made with Toilet Paper](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Q2LWP4UpIQY/sddefault.jpg)
Let me introduce a fun, mechanical moving rhinoceros beetle craft.
Prepare one toilet paper roll.
First, make a horizontal cut slightly above the center, then make another small horizontal cut higher up.
Use scissors to cut the top corners diagonally to form angles.
Fold the cut parts inward to complete the head.
For the body, flatten the belly area a bit and make five slits.
Restore the toilet paper roll to its round shape, then cut and open the 1st, 3rd, and 5th slits from the front to form the legs.
Draw the beetle’s face, then make the mechanical part to finish.
Thread a long, narrow piece of thick paper through the beetle and staple it once below the head to secure it.
Done! Give it a try and have fun.
A rhinoceros beetle that’s easy to make with origami
I’ll introduce an easy-to-make rhinoceros beetle.
Prepare one sheet of origami paper and fold it in half.
Open it, then fold the top edge down to the center crease.
Next, fold both side edges inward, slightly fold the bottom corners upward, and fold the top corner down to meet the tip of the lower triangle.
Fold down along the horizontal crease so it aligns with the tip of the triangle.
Fold the lower section upward, then again fold the part with the horizontal crease from bottom to top.
Fold the corners of the beetle’s belly inward on both sides.
Turn it over, make a small vertical cut in the horn area, and fold the pieces outward at an angle so both sides are even.
Your rhinoceros beetle is complete! If you like, add eyes or other details with a pen.
A rhinoceros beetle running on a milk carton
Cut the milk carton about 5 cm up from the bottom by snipping in from a corner.
Take a size C battery and loop two rubber bands around it, then secure them firmly with cellophane tape across the sides so they don’t move.
Hook each rubber band over the ends and wind them around and around.
Prepare a toothpick, make a notch in it, and fold it in half.
Cut slits on both sides of the previously cut carton piece, insert the toothpick into the rubber-banded battery, and hook it into the slits.
The moving mechanism is complete! Next, cut the milk carton vertically down the middle.
Use one half, open it up, and tape the edges so they don’t pop open.
Draw the stag beetle’s horn, legs, and eyes on black or white construction paper, cut them out, and tape them onto the milk carton.
Place the milk-carton beetle over the sideways battery, and you’re done! Pull it toward you and let go, and it will move!
A beetle with moving legs
Introducing an irresistibly touchable moving rhinoceros beetle with pipe cleaner legs.
Attach a piece of brown origami paper—cut in half, then halved again—to a toilet paper roll, and draw three black lines on the white area with a crayon.
Use colored construction paper to make the horn, wings, and eyes, and stick them onto the body.
Cut three short pieces of pipe cleaner, cross them on the back of the body, and secure them with clear tape.
Slightly bend only the back part of the pipe cleaner legs outward, and it’s done! We recommend making lots and playing together! Give it a try!