Bottlecap Beetles for The New York Times for Kids
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photo by Clair Benoist
The New York Times for Kids insect-themed May issue featured my bottle-cap beetles!
One of the best things about bugs is that they help get rid of trash. Whether they’re breaking down rotting stuff on the forest floor, helping turn food scraps into compost or showing scientists new ways to recycle plastic, they’re super helpful to humans and the environment. (Read all about this in this in the issue!)
Want to return the favor? Recycle and reuse big stuff, like glass jars and plastic bottles. Then turn the leftover bits — like lids, caps and scraps — into bugs.
Besides bottle caps, I used recycled tins, beads, buttons, old combs, toothbrushes, printed cardboard, wire caps, glue stick caps, medicine bottles, empty dental floss containers, and more! My hoarding tendencies really paid off here!
I also played with using a battery-operated tea lights to make a firefly!
A few centipedes that we didn’t end up shooting, made from a comb, marker, and a clothespin.
Toothbrush ants!
Ants made from caps (from sriracha and glue), beads, and super balls!
I am always so grateful to work with the amazing team at The New York Times for Kids! The whole issue is beautiful and fascinating! Go to The if you missed it go to The New York Times Store for back issues!