If you’re planning to share the delightful book One Little Dung Beetle with your students during Book Week, why not pair it with a hands-on craft activity?
This step-by-step dung beetle craft is a perfect way to engage students with the story, explore the unique features of a dung beetle, and create a colourful classroom display. It’s easy, educational, and memorable — just what you need for a successful Book Week lesson.
Step-by-Step Beetle Craft for the Classroom
Step 1: Read One Little Dung Beetle
Begin by reading One Little Dung Beetle aloud to your class. Discuss what makes dung beetles fascinating, from their shiny shells to their habit of rolling dung balls.
Step 2: Colour the Beetle Parts
Hand out a printable template of the dung beetle craft. Let students colour the beetle’s body, legs, antennae, and dung ball using bright pencils, crayons, or markers.
Step 3: Cut Out the Pieces
Once coloured, students cut out each part along the dotted lines. Remind them to be careful with smaller pieces like the legs and antennae.
Step 4: Assemble the Beetle
Glue the parts together to form a 3D dung beetle holding its dung ball. Students will love seeing their beetle come to life!
Step 5: Add a Writing Activity
Combine literacy and art by having students write a few sentences about dung beetles or a response to the story. Glue the writing and the beetle onto a single sheet for a stunning Book Week display.
Why Teachers Love This Craft Activity
This craft activity is more than just fun — it also:
✅ Strengthens fine motor skills through cutting and assembling
✅ Reinforces comprehension of the story
✅ Adds a vibrant and educational element to your classroom display
✅ Encourages creativity and pride in students’ work
If you enjoyed this idea, you can save time by grabbing my ready-to-use printable templates and activity sheets, which include this craft and more, from my TpT store:
👉 Lesson Ideas for One Little Dung Beetle on TpT
More Book Week 2025 Ideas
If you’re planning your Book Week program, I’ve got loads of resources and blog posts to make things easy (and fun!):
- 🌀 Spiro Craft Activity – CBCA Book Week 2025
- 🧚♀️ Tooth Fairy Activities – Book Week 2025
- 🚲 The Wobbly Bike – Teaching Activities
- 🦓 How to Move a Zoo – Classroom Ideas
These are all part of my growing Book Week bundle, and each post includes links to ready-to-use resources and teaching ideas.
