DIY: “No-sew” bug plushie
We’re bringing a “no-sew” ant plushie to a Lag B’Omer picnic!
It’s the Hebrew month of Iyar, and nestled right between Passover and Shavuot is the Jewish holiday, Lag B’Omer. We love celebrating this holiday like many families celebrate in Israel - outside with a picnic!
What’s in your picnic basket? For Lag B’Omer, we have marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate to make some s’more pops!
You know you have an extra delicious picnic when ants come to nibble on your leftover crumbs. In Hebrew, ant is pronounced nem-al-ah (nem-al-im plural). We thought we’d make some no-sew nem-al-im plushies and invite them to our picnic!
Whether you are celebrating Lag B’Omer with a picnic, or just want to cuddle with a new friend, here’s what you’ll need to make your own “no-sew” ant plushie.
No-Sew Bug Plushie
Supplies for one plushie:
1 child’s size crew sock
2 large google eyes
1 chenille stem cut into three equal pieces
Cotton balls (a nice handfull)
Yarn
Scissors
Hot glue gun (for adults only)
Here’s how to make this cutie:
1. Flatten your sock with the heel side up, and use hot glue to attach the google eyes to the tip of the sock. (Only adults should use hot glue). Look! He’s cute already!
2. Stuff your sock with cotton balls. This is perfect for children because they have small hands that fit right inside the sock. You’d be surprised at just how much cotton you can fit into a sock. The more cotton stuffed into the sock, the sturdier the plushie.
3. After stuffing, roll your sock between your hands into a long tube. Now, It’s time to get your yarn ready!
4. Cut a piece of yarn and tie it to the end of the sock. This will keep the cotton from falling out. Fold over the tail flap. Your ant will look like a little log.
5. Cut two pieces of yarn, and wrap it around the plushie to make a head, thorax and abdomen. (Aww…you’re coming along little one)! Invite your child to take even more yarn and wrap it around the body for more color and texture.
6. Take two chenille stems, and tuck them on the bottom under the yarn that separates the head, thorax and abdomen. These will become the bug’s little legs.
7. We’re almost done! Take the last piece of chenille stem, and poke it through the top of the fabric of the sock, between the eyes. This will become the antenna. You can give the ends of the antenna a little twirl.
Oh, hi! little sock bug! You’re a sweet little nemalah!
That’s it! A little “no-sew” ant plushie to keep you company on a Lag B’Omer picnic or anyday! Making an ant plushie is also a good reminder that everything in our world need to be taken care of - even the smallest bugs. Taking care of ants, butterflies and bumblebees is the Jewish value Tza’ar Ba’alei Chayim (kindness to animals). You can ask your child how they can be nice to their ant plushie (maybe their answer will be taking it on a picnic or a stroll through the grass)!
If you’d like to learn more about kindness to animals, click here for butterfly kindness rocks and here for a visit to a petting farm.
Are you going on a picnic to celebrate Lag B’Omer? Let us know in the comments below! We are also making some diy “ant crowns” for our picnic, and s’more pops to “roast” over kid friendly Lag B’Omer canvas bonfire too! Click the links to find out more!
We hope you have a happy Lag B’Omer!
~Jennifer
Lag B’Omer is “the perfect holiday for Ari Ant!” - A Holiday for Ari Ant, by Sylvia Rouss.
For families raising Jewish children, A Holiday for Ari Ant and other Jewish children’s books, can be mailed to your children each month for free by PJ Library! Click the link to learn more!
