DIY Ladybug Candy Holder
Are you looking for the most adorable candy holder ever? If so, you’ll love to make this DIY Ladybug Candy Holder!
This fun project is super-easy and the result is perfect for sharing your favorite candy. Thanks to the free printable template and easy instructions you’ll find below, this adorable candy holder is a breeze to create. These adorable ladybug candy domes are sure to bring a smile to everyone you share them with!
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Why You’ll Love This DIY Ladybug Candy Dome
Easy to create: This easy craft project just needs a few easy to find supplies such as a plastic ornament, craft paper, wiggle eyes, and a glue gun!
Adorable: Is there anything cuter than a glittery, candy-filled ladybug?
Multi-purpose: You can make these for party favors, gifts, or simply to enjoy at home.
A project for all ages: These candy holders are easy enough for kids to create, while also being an enjoyable craft for teens and adults too. Smaller kids will need adult supervision with scissors and the glue gun, of course.
Valentine Variation Idea
Make your ladybug into a love bug for Valentine’s day! Your template includes heart shaped dots so you can easily turn your ladybug into the cutest Valentine candy holder ever!
Ladybug Ornament Candy Holder
Supplies:
- One sheet of 8.5” x 11” black cardstock
- One sheet of black fine glitter cardstock
- One 60mm plastic split dome ornament
- One paper fastener
- Two wiggle craft eyes (3/8 inch)
- One scrap of red cardstock
- Two 8mm black plastic gems
- Printed Pattern
Additional Supplies Needed:
- Scissors.
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks.
- Candy.
- Tape and Elmer’s school glue or glue stick (optional).
- Optional circle punch. I used a 1 cm circle punch.
Instructions:
Download the ladybug candy holder template.
Print out the pattern onto black cardstock.
Cut out the pattern pieces. If the printout is not visible on the black cardstock, print the pattern onto a light-colored cardstock, cut out the pieces, and use them as a stencil to transfer them to black cardstock using a pencil.
If you are using a lighter weight cardstock (65 lbs or less) you can optionally cut two copies of piece #1, and glue them together for added strength. Use a hole punch to punch a hole in the center of pieces #1 and #2.
If using glitter cardstock, use the body (#5), head (#6), spot (#7), and line (#4) pieces as stencils and transfer them onto the back of the black glitter cardstock.
Cut out the body, head, spot, and line pieces from the glitter cardstock. Alternatively, you can use a small (approx 1 cm) circular punch to punch spot pieces from the cardstock. If your glitter cardstock has a white backing you can optionally color it in black with a marker.
Use a paper fastener to connect together pieces #1 and #2 as shown. Fold the arms of the fastener flat, and use a small piece of tape to secure the arms in place.
To hide the paper fastener arms, glue piece #3 on top, taking care to align the pieces and not cover the dispenser hole!
Your dispenser mechanism should look like the photo below.
5) Hot glue the plastic half-dome ornament onto the top of the candy dispenser mechanism.
6) Use hot glue to attach piece #4 along the midline of the ornament so that it touches the bottom edge at the back of the ladybug.
7) Place the ladybug’s glitter body piece (#5) over the top of the candy dome and secure it in place using hot glue.
Gently curve the ladybug’s legs downward by bending them over your finger. If your ornament has a hanging tag, you can optionally align the body piece so that it is hidden underneath one of the legs.
8) Attach the eyes, mouth, and antenna gems to the ladybug head (#6) using hot glue.
9) Use hot glue to attach the finished head (#6) to the front of the ladybug’s body.
10) Hot glue the spots (#7) to the back of the ladybug’s body.
11) Turn the ladybug over and fill the dispenser with candy.
12) Your ladybug is finished!
Pro Tip:
This pattern is designed to be used with a 60mm ornament. If your ornament is a different size, you will need to print the pattern at a different scale. The following print scaling has been found to work with these common sizes of ornament:
- 50mm ornament – print the pattern at 83%.
- 60mm ornament – print the pattern at 100%.
- 70mm ornament – print the pattern at 117%.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can you suggest any alternative supplies?
If you don’t have all of the supplies needed to make this project, these are some possible alternatives:
– Black cardstock: cardstock in any color of your choice can be used.
– Black glitter cardstock: any cardstock can be used to create the ladybug. You do not need to use a novelty glitter cardstock but can use any card stock of your choice.
– Craft wiggle eyes: buttons, gems, half-pearls, pom poms, cardstock circles, or any other similar craft item can be used to create eyes for the ladybug.
– Black plastic gems: pom poms, buttons, half pearls, beads, or any other craft supply of your choice can be used to top the antennae.
What kind of candy can I use to fill the ladybug candy dispenser?
You can use any type of candy that will fit through the hole in the candy dispenser. If you are using unwrapped candy, be sure to check the plastic half-dome ornament is food safe, otherwise use wrapped candy.
Is this project suitable for kids?
This is a great project for both kids and adults alike. Young children might need assistance however with cutting out the cardstock pieces. This project also uses hot glue to attach many of the pieces together, so care should be taken to avoid burns.
